UAC

Academic Accommodations

Plan For Needed Accommodations Well in Advance!

Reduced Course Load. Where the disability necessitates, students may register for less than 8.5 credit hours but maintain full-time status in other respects. Students with disabilities who have been approved for reduced course loads and are otherwise qualified may participate in the BYU Health Insurance program. Financial Aid requirements, however, may be different and must be taken into consideration. An UAC advisor can provide further details.

Accommodation Letters. Students with disabilities may have accommodative letters sent from UAC to their professors prior to the new semester or term. They should contact each professor concerning any accommodations they may require. Professors who do not receive a letter from UAC are required by law to ask for documentation of the disability before they provide accommodations.

Accommodation Cards. In order to access accommodations such as the HBLL study and technology rooms, lockers, the UAC room in the Testing Center, a flashing phone, textbooks on tape, and the LRC, a student must have an accommodation card issued by his/her UAC advisor.

Tutoring. Tutors are not provided through UAC. However, Student Leadership (SLTS) offers a volunteer tutoring service free to all students. The SLTS is located in 3400 WSC, 422-4793, or by E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Many academic departments also offer labs where free assistance is provided and/or they offer a department list of paid tutors. The English Reading and Writing Center (1010 JKHB, 422-4306) offers critiquing helps for class required papers as well.

Textbooks on Tape

1. Register with UAC. Your UAC advisor can provide additional information regarding needed documentation, equipment, and textbooks.

2. Obtain an accommodation card. Qualified students will receive a card from their advisor which enables them to check out tapes from the Learning Resource Center (LRC), 4330 HBLL, 422-4582.

3. Register early for classes. Many students use this service and textbooks are recorded on a first-come, first-serve basis. We suggest submitting your book request form one semester in advance.

4. Contact the professor or academic department for each class you are taking to obtain textbook information. You may also call the BYU Bookstore, 422-3003, for additional help.

5. Fill out a Book on Tape Request Form. These forms are available in the main UAC office, 1520 WSC, 422-2767. If necessary, call the UAC office to have a request form sent to you. Submitted book request forms must be complete before recording or scanning will begin. Please list your books in order of preference. The request form requires title, author, edition, and class information for each class. Students also must check with the Utah State Library, (800) 662-5540, and with the BYU Learning Resource Center, 422-4582, before submitting a request form to find out whether the textbooks have already been recorded. You do not need to request books that are already recorded.

6. Textbooks are recorded on four-track cassettes or scanned onto computer disk. The computer disk can be used on your personal computer or in the UAC Accommodative Technology Lab. Four-track recorders are available through the Utah State Library (application forms are available at the UAC office).

7. You will be contacted by a volunteer recording program supervisor when the tapes or disks are ready.

Please Contact the VRP, 422-4365, and UAC, 422-2767, when a particular book is not needed or a class has been canceled.

More information regarding the Volunteer Reading Program.

Chronic Pain and Illness Disabilities

Absences. Even when chronic illness causes absences, students are responsible for work covered in class, homework, and tests. A peer note taker can help the student with notes, assignment dates, etc. If a student needs to miss a class, he/she should contact the professor. Together they can discuss material and tests that may be missed during the absence. Students also may keep up to date with class assignments using the internet on Route Y.

Adaptive Equipment. The Accommodative Technology room is located in 3780 HBLL. Students must meet with their UAC advisor to obtain an accommodation card.

Chronic Pain and Illness Support Group. The Counseling and Career Center (CCC) and UAC cosponsor a Chronic Pain and Illness Support Group. Besides the support, this is an active therapy group. The group meets each Thursday from 3:00-4:45 p.m. in 1567 WSC. An UAC advisor can provide further information.

Note Takers. Volunteer note takers may be provided. Note takers can ensure students receive all of the information from a class lecture. Students should sign up for this service as soon as they are approved for it and are registered for classes. Volunteers are not permitted to take notes for a student who is absent from class.

Peer Note Taker. Students can ask a professor for help in locating another student in the class who would be willing to take notes during possible absences. UAC will supply the peer note taker with carbonless paper.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Assistive Listening Device (ALD). Students may checkout ALDs from UAC to be used in equipped auditoriums and classrooms. ALDs also are used in the entertainment facilities on campus.

Accessible Classrooms. Classrooms are available throughout campus which can accommodate those students who use Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs). UAC can work with Campus Scheduling to reschedule classroom assignments if needed. UAC also can write letters to students' professors. Students should visit their classrooms at least two months in advance and notify UAC of any necessary changes.

Adaptive Equipment. The Accommodative Technology room is located in 3321 HBLL.

In-Class Note Takers. Volunteer note takers and test scribes may be provided. Note takers can ensure that students receive all of the information from a class lecture. Students should sign up for this service as soon as they are approved for it and are registered for classes.

Interpreter Sharing. UAC reserves the right to request that a student who needs an interpreter change to a different section of the same class where there is already an interpreter. It is possible that in some classes many students will share the same interpreter.

Off-Campus Needs. UAC can furnish addresses of agencies that provide interpreters for private use in the community.

Sign Language/ Oral Interpreters. Sign Language/ Oral interpreters are available upon request. Students planning to request interpreters should notify the UAC deaf and hard of hearing advisor as soon as they are accepted to BYU. Interpreters are a scarce resource, but UAC will do its best to accommodate students' needs.

Other Accommodations. On a case-by-case basis, other accommodations may be made available. For further information, students should contact their advisor.

TTYs/TDDs. Teletypwriters/ Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TTYs/TDDs) and instructions for their use are located at the following courtesy phones: ASB (near rm. C-027), WSC (first floor), HBLL (copy center), JRCB (near rm. 250-C), JSB (near rm. 163), RB (near rm. 133), SFLC (near rm. 1201), and SWKT (near rm. 201).

MORE INFORMATION on deafness and being hard of hearing at BYU.

Emotional Disabilities

Audiotape Lectures. Arrangements can be made to audiotape lectures where note taking is not available.

Copies of Class Overheads and Outline. Students can request copies of overheads and lecture notes from professors personally or through letters from their advisor.

Distraction-Free Room for Exams. Room 109 HGB in the Testing Center contains adaptive computers and a smaller room where students may dictate answers to a test scribe or proctor. Students who qualify for this service should show their accommodation card received from their UAC advisor at the main testing desk, and a testing center worker will give them their examination papers and access to this room.

Extended Time for Exams. In cases where a disability causes a student to work more slowly than other students, extra time for exam completion may be allocated.

In-Class Note Takers. Volunteer note takers and test scribes/ proctors may be provided. Note takers can ensure that students receive all the information from a class lecture. Students should sign up for this service as soon as they are approved for it and are registered for classes.

Reduced Course Load. Because of disability, some students may register for less than 8.5 credit hours but maintain full-time status. However, Financial Aid requirements must be taken into consideration. An UAC advisor can provide further details.

Staggered Exams or Exam Breaks. Professors can authorize alternative exam times or exam breaks according to the needs of the student.

Learning Disabilities and ADHD

Alternative Evaluation Modes. Testing may be available in oral, computerized, non-scantron, or another format according to student needs and professor discretion.

Audiotape Lectures. Where note taking is difficult, arrangements can be made to tape lectures.

Computer Assistance. Assistive technology is located in 3321 HBLL. Included are large screen computers, speech readers, and enlargement programs.

Course Substitution. When a specific disability may preclude a student from participating at an equal level with nondisabled peers, one course may be substituted for another at the discretion of the academic department.

Extended Exam Time. Extra time for exam completion may be allocated when a disability causes a student to work more slowly.

Distraction-Free Room for Exams. Room 109 HGB in the Testing Center contains adaptive computers and a smaller room where students may dictate answers to a test scribe or proctor. Students who qualify for this accommodation should present their accommodation card received from their UAC advisor at the main testing desk and a testing center worker will give them their examination papers and access to this room.

In-Class Note Takers. Volunteer note takers and test scribes/ proctors may be provided. Note takers can ensure that students receive all the information from a class lecture. Students should sign up for this service as soon as they are approved for it and are registered for classes.

Overheads and Lecture Notes. Students or UAC (in an accommodations letter) can request copies of overheads and lecture notes from professors.

Reduced Course Load. Some students with learning disabilities or AD/HD may register for less than 8.5 credit hours while maintaining full-time status. However, Financial Aid course load requirements must be taken into consideration. An UAC advisor can provide further details.

Staggered Exams or Exam Breaks. Professors can authorize alternative exam times or breaks.

Textbooks on Tape. Textbooks can be recorded onto tape or scanned for student use. Students are encouraged to register with both UAC and the Utah State Library for this service. See the Textbooks on Tape section for further details.

Testing for Learning Disabilities and ADHD

A: If you are a student at BYU and have concerns about the possibility of a learning disability or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you may complete a full learning disabilities assessment. If you have been diagnosed previously, you may be required to complete additional testing (depending on how current and complete your previous test results are) in order to receive accommodations from UAC.

Q: How is the Testing Process Initiated?

A: If you would like to be tested, set up an appointment to speak with an UAC advisor. You and your advisor will discuss your difficulties and decide if a full assessment is appropriate.

Q: What Does the Assessment Involve?

A: The testing process at BYU usually involves meeting with an advisor several times and performing numerous, diverse testing activities. The entire assessment usually takes between six and ten hours. Most people prefer to break this time up into two-hour sessions, but it is up to you to set the pace.

Q: What Does it Cost?

A: The only cost is your time. A similar assessment performed in the private sector would cost several hundred dollars.

Q: Is the Process the Same for Learning Disability and ADHD Concerns?

A: Since a diagnosis of AD/HD must be made by a physician, UAC works closely with a medical professional at the BYU Student Health Center (SHC). The UAC advisor asks that students complete a full assessment as it provides several indicators of attention/ concentration problems. After you have completed the assessment, you and your advisor can discuss whether a referral to the SHC physician or your own physician seems appropriate based on the results of the testing.

Q: What Will I Learn From the Testing?

A: Regardless of whether or not you are diagnosed with a learning disorder or AD/HD, the results of the assessment can be very helpful. The testing examines many different aspects of learning (e.g., reading, writing, math, memory, information processing, problem solving, attention, concentration, etc.) and can help you understand where your strengths and weaknesses are. If you are diagnosed with a learning disability or ADHD, the results of the assessment can help you and your advisor know how you learn best so that accommodations can be most appropriately matched to your needs.

Q: Will I Receive a Copy of the Results?

A: Each student who completes the full assessment receives a student copy of the report. This includes results of the tests, conclusions reached, recommendations, and possible accommodations.

More information on learning disabilities at BYU.

Mobility Impairments

Accessible Classrooms. Most BYU classrooms are accessible. However, classes may be moved to a more accessible location if needed. Students should visit their classrooms at least two months in advance and notify their UAC advisor so that any necessary changes can be made before the semester begins.

Adaptive Equipment. The accommodative technology room is located in 3780 HBLL. This room houses several forms of assistive technology including:

• Voice-activated software
• Adaptive keyboards
• An adaptive mouse, joystick, head mouse, and scanners

Note Takers. Where mobility impairments negatively affect a student's ability to take notes or type, volunteer note takers and test scribes/ proctors may be provided. An UAC advisor can provide further details.

Wheelchair Repairs. For minor wheelchair repairs, students may contact Trent in the welding shop on campus (422-5429). Outdoors Unlimited in the WSC (422-2708) will also fix flats or fill tires for a nominal fee.

Personal Care Attendants

Campus Housing. If a student requires a care attendant as a reasonable accommodation and he/she does not or will not have one, BYU Housing has the right to refuse the student residency. The student will need to arrive at BYU with a personal care attendant in place or the means to hire that individual prior to moving into the residence hall.

Assistants. In the past, parents have approached UAC and Housing requesting that individuals check up on their son or daughter. While both UAC and Housing empathize with parents concerns about disorders such as seizures or diabetes, this service is not offered at BYU. Students who require attention for health and safety during the night should live in an environment where those needs can be attended to and/or hire a personal care attendant.

More information about mobility impairments.

Visual Impairments

Accessible Classrooms. Most BYU classrooms are accessible. However, classes may be moved to a more accessible location if needed. Students should visit their classrooms at least two months in advance and notify their UAC advisor so any necessary changes can be made before the semester begins.

Adaptive Equipment. The Accommodative Technology Room is located in 3780 HBLL. This room houses several forms of assistive technology including large screen computers, screen readers, text enlargement programs, CCTVs, braillers and braille printers.

Adaptive Testing Room. Room 109 of the HGB (the Testing Center) contains adaptive computers and a smaller room where students may dictate answers to a scribe or proctor. Students who qualify for this accommodation should present their accommodation card (which they received from their UAC advisor) at the main testing desk and a testing center worker will give them their examination papers and access to this room.

Braille. Students who need brailled materials should let their professors know well in advance. UAC has brailling capabilities, and students can also braille information themselves by using the equipment in the Accommodative Lab.

Live Readers. A current list of volunteer readers is available at UAC, 422-2767. The student and volunteer reader can set up a study schedule in the library or other common study area. UAC will also recruit and send readers to class with a student when needed.

Note Takers. When visual impairments negatively affect a students ability to take notes or type, volunteer note takers and test scribes/ proctors may be provided.

Overheads and Lecture Notes. The student or UAC (in an accommodations letter) can request copies of overheads and lecture notes from the student's professors.

Textbooks on Tape. Textbooks can be recorded on tape or scanned for student use. Students should register with both UAC and the Utah State Library for this service. See the Textbooks on Tape section for further details.

More Information for Students with visual impairments.