Undergraduate Students

ADS does not participate in the admission decision process. Applicants are not required to disclose their disability, and will never be requested to do so during the application process. Applicants are encouraged to make an informed decision as to whether or not to disclose their disability status when completing their application. The decision is the applicant’s to make and is not required by the University.

If you're applying to UMD and require accommodations for the application or interview process, email us at adsfrontdesk@umd.edu. For admissions inquiries, reach out to your designated representative on the Admissions Representative page.

You can use approved accommodations in your coursework, including lectures, discussions, studios, and labs. Academic accommodations are personalized based on an interactive process that involves your self-report, disability documentation, and a consultation with a disability specialist. 

Common accommodations may include extended exam time, note-taking assistance, assistive technology, alternative testing formats, sign language interpreters, and other services. Our disability specialists might also consult with instructors to ensure accommodations address the impact of your disability while not changing the academic objectives of a course, curriculum, or program.

All admitted UMD students must take the Math Placement Exam before registering for classes. This helps guide math course selection. The online exam is completed before orientation.

Undergraduate students with disabilities can get accommodations for the exam by registering with ADS. Learn more on our How to Register page.

Undergraduate students needing accommodations for academic experiences that extend outside of the classroom (e.g., student teaching, clinical rotation, fieldwork, internship, etc.) should contact ADS. Disability specialists will collaborate with your department and placement site to develop and implement suitable accommodations.

For accommodation needs in undergraduate assistantships or hourly student worker roles, please reach out to ADS. Disability specialists will work with your supervisor to set up a suitable accommodation plan.

For students with disabilities working on a thesis/capstone or research, accommodations are available for all phases (proposal, research, writing, defense). After registering with ADS, our disability specialists collaborate with your program and Undergraduate Studies to create tailored accommodations.

ADS partners with the Department of Resident Life to facilitate accommodations within on-campus residence halls. Undergraduate students who wish to live within an on-campus residence hall must first apply to live on-campus before requesting housing accommodations.

Learn more about the Department of Resident Life's application process or request on-campus housing accommodations through ADS.

Students admitted for the spring semester have the opportunity to participate in the Freshmen Connection program offered in the fall through the Office of Extended Studies. This program allows spring enrollees to take a limited number of courses on the University of Maryland campus during the fall semester.

Students participating in Freshmen Connection can implement disability accommodations in all of their courses. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with their instructors about directional and logistical information due to the non-traditional times Freshmen Connection classes take place.

The University of Maryland is committed to ensuring students with food allergies, sensitivities, and/or intolerances have not only a safe but enjoyable experience eating in university dining facilities.

Dining Services has created the Purple Zone, where the food is free of the eight most common allergens (dairy, peanuts/tree nuts, eggs, sesame, soy, fish, and shellfish) and gluten. Purple Zones are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner serving many of the same menu items found at other stations allergen-free. Dining Services has trained chefs and servers on staff related to allergen and food safety protocols. Dining Services also employs nutritionists to assist students in managing their food allergies, sensitives, and/or intolerances.

To learn more information about navigating dining within the University, please visit the Allergies and Special Dietary Requirements section of the Dining Services website.

The University of Maryland is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities can park their vehicle and navigate campus safely. ADS partners with The Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) to facilitate accommodations related to the use of our campus Paratransit system.

DOTS coordinates all logistics related to parking and the shuttle bus system on campus. Shuttle-UM offers Paratransit as it’s curb-to-curb, on-demand shuttle subscription service for individuals with disabilities.

DOTS coordinates all requests for accessible parking independently from ADS. To learn more about the parking and shuttle system please visit the DOTS website.