Supporting your student at UAF Disability Services
Welcome Family, Friends and Community Members!
Our responsibility at UAF Disability Services (DS) is to support students with disabilities throughout their academic journey at UAF. As a supporting individual to your student, you play a crucial role for your student during their time here at UAF. We hope to answer all of your potential questions and concerns regarding Accommodations, the Registration Process, necessary Documentation and any concerns you as a. Please feel free to Contact Us if you have any unanswered questions or concerns.
Guide to UAF Disability Services
DS provides academic accommodations to students who provide documented evidence of a disability that substantially limits a major life activity (e.g. learning, hearing, seeing, etc.). Accommodations are designed to ensure equal access to academic programming and services.
Please note that your role throughout this process is one that is primarily supportive rather than directive. Your student is required to register with DS on their own, as well as to schedule an intake meeting after we have received all necessary documentation. However, your student is welcome to bring anyone to their intake meeting, if they wish to do so.
Documentation
DS requires current documentation from a provider or former institution your student has attended. Since each disability is unique, accommodations will be determined based on the student's documentation and needs. Acquiring documentation can be challenging at times, so supporting your student through this process could assist them in receiving accommodations sooner rather than later.
Accommodations
After receiving documentation, and completing an intake meeting with the student, DS will write and send out a letter of accommodations to your students' professors and necessary UAF staff. Your student is free to share their accommodation letter with whomever they wish.
College Readiness
The College Skills Checklist is designed to give you and your student a guideline of all of the required skills for your student to achieve their academic goals, but to also experience success when living on their own, interacting with other UAF students and solving potential issues that might arise.
Additionally, DS has put together a college transition checklist that can assist students and their families/friends who are supporting them throughout their application process.
Please note that these are not required forms to complete to register with DS, but merely suggestions of the skills we deem necessary for your student to be successful. Please do not hesitate to Contact Us with any questions or concerns you might have regarding college readiness, as we are here to support you and especially your student.
Emergency Preparedness
We request that all UAF students, faculty and staff review our Emergency Preparedness Guide. We recommend family members and friends review the Emergency Preparedness Guide as well. In a case of emergency it is vitally important that all students, especially students with disabilities, are prepared for potential emergency situations and managing a crisis. If you are concerned or have questions about the Emergency Preparedness Guide, or how you can help your student prepare for this, please contact our office to set up a meeting.