Your rights as a student with a disability
As a student with a disability at the University of Washington, you have specific rights under federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These rights are designed to ensure that you have equal access to educational opportunities and are not discriminated against on the basis of your disability.
Key Rights
- Right to reasonable accommodations: You have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodations that address your disability-related needs and provide you with equal access to your courses, programs, services, and activities.
- Right to non-discrimination: You have the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of your disability. This means that you cannot be denied admission to the University, excluded from any course or program, or treated differently than other students because of your disability.
- Right to confidentiality: All documentation submitted to the designated disability services office is kept separate from academic records and is considered a student record under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). On a need-to-know basis, disability services offices may share information about an accommodation request with other University employees to assess, manage, and implement the approved accommodations. This may include information about the impacts of the medical condition, the knowledge of which is necessary to evaluate and make determinations about reasonable accommodations and the qualified status of the student. DRS will not disclose this information to anyone outside of the University without written consent, except as required by law.
- Right to request reconsideration: You have the right to request reconsideration of any decision made by DRS regarding your accommodations. Information about the reconsideration request process can be found on our Accommodation Reconsideration page.
- Right to file a grievance: You have the right to file a grievance with the Civil Rights Investigation Office if you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of your disability.
Tip
You have a right to share your disability/diagnosis with whomever you choose. However, in most cases, you do not need to share this information with instructors. We recommend that you carefully consider the benefits and risks of sharing personal information whenever you make decisions.
Your responsibilities as a student with accommodations
While DRS is committed to providing you with the support you need, you also have responsibilities in the accommodation process. These responsibilities help ensure that your accommodations are implemented effectively and that you are successful in your academic pursuits.
Key Responsibilities
- Apply for accommodations: You are responsible for initiating the accommodation process by applying to DRS and providing appropriate documentation of your disability.
- Activate your accommodations through myDRS and/or ensure Accommodation Letters are sent each quarter: You must activate your approved accommodations through myDRS each quarter that you wish to use them for traditional classroom environments and/or ensure that Accommodation Letters are sent for non-traditional learning environments (e.g. clinicals, study abroad, research locations, etc.). For more information, please see our page on using accommodations.
- Communicate with your instructors: Discuss logistics, questions, and agreements with instructors when communication is necessary to implement your accommodations or you do not understand something about how your accommodation will work in the course/learning environment. Respond to your instructor in a timely manner when they reach out.
- Utilize your accommodations appropriately: Use your accommodations in the manner for which they were approved.
- Communicate with DRS: Keep DRS informed of any changes in your circumstances or if your accommodations are not being implemented. Contact your Access Coordinator if you have any questions, concerns, or need to request additional accommodations.
- Follow the student conduct code: Abide by the University’s Student Conduct Code.
- Treat DRS Staff with respect: Engage with DRS staff in a respectful and professional manner according to the Student Code of Conduct.
- Provide timely notice: Give DRS sufficient notice when requesting accommodations or scheduling appointments. Late requests may result in delays or the inability to fulfill the request.
Have feedback for the DRS Website?
We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think by clicking the button below.