Students with Disabilities at The University of Arizona

The national average indicates that approximately 9% of students in post-secondary education have disabilities.  Applied to the University of Arizona, we can expect that about 3,000 disabled students are on campus.  Disability Resources serves approximately 1,500 students each semester.  Identified students on campus are represented by the following:

Students with Disabilities at the UA
Attention Deficit 24% Learning Disabled 50% Psychological 4%	Auditory 3% Visual 4% Physical 15%

All students who are served by Disability Resources:

• have met University admission standards
• have provided documentation of a disability that substantially impacts one or more major life activity (e.g., learning)
• should be held to the same academic standards as non-disabled students

If a student chooses to utilize accommodations, she has the responsibility of informing her instructor of her status as students with a disability and her need for accommodation.  Disability Resources has created a Web-based process for students to inform their instructors of their disabilities and their plans to use accommodations (see Process for Instructor Notification).  In addition to this formal process, Disability Resources encourages students and instructors to meet in person and discuss accommodations and general course access.

Students have the right to not identify their disability if they choose not to use accommodations in a given class.  Instructors have no obligation to provide accommodations to students who do not self-identify.  Given the size of the institution and the number of students with disabilities in attendance, instructors are encouraged to consider accessibility features as they design all their classes.

Students have an obligation to request accommodations in a timely manner.  Neither DRC nor instructors are required to respond to requests for accommodations made at the last minute.  All students utilizing Disability Resources services, especially testing accommodations, are informed of request deadlines.

Students are an excellent source of information on strategies that minimize the effects of their disability in the classroom.

All students bring a unique set of strengths and experiences to the University. Students with disabilities are no exception.  While many learn in different ways, their differences do not imply inferior capacities.