How to Register
At Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS), we facilitate reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities attending the University of Maryland. Registering with ADS can occur at any time during your studies and is the first step to receiving individualized accommodations.
Eligibility
Any student with a documented disability is eligible to register with ADS. All information shared during the registration process is voluntary and kept confidential. If you’re unsure about your eligibility for accommodations or would like to schedule a consultation appointment, reach out to us at 301-314-7682 or adsfrontdesk@umd.edu.
Reasonable Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations help students with disabilities have equal opportunities to fully engage in courses, programs, activities, and services. They might include assistive technology, course load adjustments, extended exam times, quiet locations, housing and work placements, and more. Keep in mind, accommodations are not one-size-fits-all. As you advance during your time at UMD, your accommodation needs may evolve over time.
How to Apply for Accommodations
1. Complete the ADS Registration Application
This form provides you the opportunity to disclose your disability to ADS and confirms your intent to establish formal accommodations. You can access the form using your UMD directory ID and password.
Note: Newly admitted students will receive their ID and set up their password within 48 hours of their admission decision.
2. Provide a Self-Report
Schedule a registration meeting with us to discuss your accessibility needs and to determine effective accommodations within various contexts. To help provide additional flexibility, all ADS meetings will take place virtually.
3. Submit Supporting Documentation
We gather info from various sources about your disability, experiences, and challenges. During the interactive process, your input and external documentation help us to identify appropriate, individualized accommodations. This process allows us to understand how your disability impacts your participation in academic courses, programs, job-related activities, UMD facilities, and more.
IMPORTANT: Lack of documentation will not prevent us from meeting with you. Any student can meet with our office to discuss their situation and explore options for support. We can also help you understand how to get documentation if needed.
Other Considerations
Accessible Housing
If you're interested in applying for on-campus accommodated housing, you will need to complete these additional steps:
- Submit the Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement on the Housing Portal by the priority deadline
- Complete the Accommodated Housing Application Form via the ADS Portal
Student Employment
For student work-based accommodations, it is helpful to submit a copy of your position description and responsibilities at the same time you complete your Registration Application.
Discussing Your Accommodations
Once you have been approved for disability accommodations, a formal accommodation letter will outline this information.
In an academic setting, it is your responsibility to share a copy of your accommodation letter with your course instructors. You are strongly encouraged to discuss what accommodations will be used within an individual class and ensure the course instructor/TA and yourself are on the same page.
If you have any concerns about personally facilitating conversations about your disability accommodations, please contact your disability specialist for guidance, assistance and intervention.
Follow-Up With ADS
Your experience matters to us. We encourage you to maintain open communication with your disability specialist throughout the semester to let them know what's working well and what may need adjustments.
If you find that your accommodations need to be modified or if you encounter any challenges, don't hesitate to reach out to us.