Find information on the accessibility accommodations process, documentation, rights, and self-advocacy at UMGC Europe.
University of Maryland Global Campus is committed to providing education that is accessible to all students. Accessibility Services ensures that students with disabilities that are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act are provided with academic accommodations in a timely manner. Accommodations ensure that students can access course materials and meet learning objectives by removing barriers to education.
Your Privacy is Protected
Accessibility Services maintains an encrypted database to ensure ADA, HIPAA, and FERPA compliance. Students can choose to disclose disabilities to faculty members or classmates, but. Student Services and Accessibility Services will not disclose this information.
We're Here to Help
Accessibility Services is focused on access and reducing barriers to education for students with disabilities.
From here, you can find out about Getting Started with Accessibility Services, get answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, access the online intake form and documentation upload, and much more.
Mission
At UMGC, our primary goal is commitment to our students' success and to maintain an educational partnership between students, faculty, staff and administration.
Accessibility Services recognizes that disability reflects diverse characteristics and experiences and is an aspect of diversity integral to society and the university experience. In alignment with the university's core goals, the mission of Accessibility Services is to coordinate support services that provide equal opportunity for students to participate in all aspects of the educational environment. Through our initiatives, students can participate in UMGC's programs and services while adhering to the university's academic standards.
In advancing this mission, Accessibility Services seeks to provide the best accommodations and services possible to qualified students in the following ways:
Arrange academic adjustments and accommodations as mandated under the amended Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff and community members to create diverse learning environments that are usable, equitable and sustainable.
Educate and provide consultation to UMGC faculty, staff and administrators to promote awareness and sensitivity toward individuals with disabilities.
Promote disability advocacy and ensure students develop the necessary skills to effectively advocate for themselves in the university community.
Get Started with Accessibility Services
Admission
All students, including students with disabilities and veterans, must meet minimum entrance criteria for any academic program at UMGC. There will be nothing in the application for admission asking you to disclose your disability. Your eligibility for services/accommodations from the Accessibility Services is a separate process and is independent from the Office of Admissions.
Self-Identification
You are responsible for self-identifying with Accessibility Services to inform the university about your disability and request academic accommodations. You will only be asked to provide documentation if you request services. Learn more about documentation requirements.
It is in your best interest to contact Accessibility Services early to submit the Student Intake Form and documentation. After you submit the Student Intake Form and documentation, Accessibility Services will send an email notification acknowledging receipt of your materials and requesting that you schedule an intake appointment. Your appointment will be with a member of our Stateside team who are available during Eastern Standard Time business hours.
Accommodation
Unlike high school, at the college level, students must initiate contact with Accessibility Services to receive services. The services you receive from Accessibility Services might be different from what you received in high school.
The services and accommodations provided through Accessibility Services will be based on the documentation of your disability and will help reduce barriers that may be present. Keep in mind that you will have to advocate for yourself and ask your instructors for the accommodations you need. Accessibility Services staff will advise you on the process.
If you have previously attended another college or university and received academic accommodations, you must submit documentation of your disability to Accessibility Services. Accommodations may differ slightly at UMGC.
Requesting Accommodations
Complete these five steps to receive accommodations:
- Submit the student intake form and documentation: After being admitted to UMGC, you should complete the student intake form digitally. To request reasonable accommodations, you must provide appropriate medical or educational documentation. UMGC will not pay medical providers or reimburse you for services rendered to meet the documentation requirements. You are encouraged to submit your intake form and documentation as early as possible; some accommodations require significant planning in advance of the semester.
- Schedule intake discussion: After your Student Intake Form and documentation are reviewed, an Accessibility Services staff member will contact you to schedule a virtual intake discussion. The intake will cover your eligibility to receive services, your individual needs, resources, policies, procedures, and responsibilities. A tentative agreement will be reached during the meeting.
- Receive the accommodation notification letter: After the intake discussion, Accessibility Services will send you a draft accommodation notification letter with the tentative agreement on accommodations. You must provide written approval before your accommodation plan can be finalized.
- Contact accessibility services each semester: You must request renewal of your accommodation notification letter every semester you are registered for classes. To allow for adequate time to coordinate services, it is recommended that you make this request before the beginning of each semester.
- Communicate with faculty members: It is crucial that you keep faculty members informed when asking for an accommodation. You should meet with each of them to discuss how you intend to utilize your accommodation in the classroom for each semester you are a registered student.
Documentation for Disability Verification
Documentation provides the university with verification of a student's disability. It is the student's responsibility to provide documentation of a disability to Accessibility Services. Documentation requirements vary depending on the specific disability. Documentation should be recent, relevant, comprehensive and where appropriate, contain test scores and interpretations (e.g., learning disability reports, audiograms, etc.).
If the original documentation is incomplete or inadequate to determine the extent of the disability or reasonable accommodations, the university has the discretion to require additional documentation.
Confidentiality
The university is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of current and former students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are entitled to privacy and discretion in the handling of all disability-related information. Disability information provided to Accessibility Services for accessibility requests, including documentation to establish the existence of a disability, is used solely for the purpose of enabling UMGC to provide supportive, academic and other services related to the student's disability. Disability-related information is collected and maintained separately from other academic information and is kept in secure files with limited access. Disability information is not considered part of a student's permanent academic record and is only shared on a need-to-know basis.
Disclosing a Disability
Students are under no obligation to disclose a disability unless an accommodation is being requested; likewise, faculty and staff have no authority to review disability documentation or obtain any information concerning a student's disability without a legitimate educational need to know.