The UAC offers a variety of services for students with disabilities. All students interested in receiving any of these services (except Housing) must complete the intake process under “Forms” beforehand. Services offered include:
Accommodations are modifications in the classroom and test environment that provide students with disabilities equal access to academic opportunities.
Please submit requests for accommodation letters on our website (under “Forms”) at the beginning of each semester. While accommodation letters can also be requested in person, over the phone, or via email, the most efficient way to request them is on our website. No appointments are necessary unless changes in accommodations are desired. Depending on the demand, accommodation letters may take anywhere between 2 days to 1 week to process. Please check with our front desk regarding letter status. Notification of letter completion from our office will not be available.
Accommodation letters have gone electronic! Please follow the instructions below:
- You will access your electronic letters through your YMessage account.
- When your letters are ready, you will receive an e-mail notification from YMessage indicating that you have a new message. When you open the email, here’s what you will see:
- Click on the link(s) within your message to access your accommodation letters.
- You will be able to view the letters online.
- You will send your letters by granting electronic access to the primary instructor(s) of your course(s) when you desire.
- If you would also like to hand-deliver hard copy letters to your instructors, download the letters as PDFs and print them out.
- You can track when you have sent a letter to a professor and when the professor has read the letter on the left hand column of the screen.
- After you have sent a letter to a professor, accommodation indicators will be made available to the primary instructor in Learning Suite and can be viewed on class rolls, etc. (Only your primary instructor will be able to view these indicators.)
- Although letter delivery will be electronic, we still encourage direct communication with your instructor in the interactive process, particularly if your accommodations require coordination with your instructor (e.g., determining a reasonable number of absences up front if you have leniency with absences; determing optimal seating if you have preferred seating; etc.).
The Accessible Book Creations program offers a number of alternative textbook formats for students to choose from. For more information, please visit this page.
The Accessibility Lab offers various services to students with disabilities such as providing access to different assistive technology and proctoring exams. For more information, please visit this page.
The UAC offers low-cost evaluation for BYU day-continuing students who believe they may have a diagnosable condition but do not have current documentation. We can evaluate students for:
- Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Learning Disorders (e.g., dyslexia, math, reading, etc.)
Other testing may be available upon request.
The Accessibility Lab offers some assistive technology on their computers and also has assistive technology that can be checked out with the approval of the student's coordinator. For more information, please visit this page.
Students with disabilities may require special accommodations with housing. Special arrangements can be made for wheelchair accessible rooms, units with kitchens, private rooms, etc.
Interpreters are assigned to attend student’s classes and listen to the lecture and class discussions, converting spoken English to sign language and what the student signs to spoken English. Please make arrangements for interpreters with the UAC before the beginning of the semester.
The Reaching Educational And Career Hopes (REACH) Program assists students with disabilities in making the transition from BYU to the workforce. Students are encouraged to contact the REACH coordinator well before graduation.
Students with disabilities may qualify for scholarships dedicated specifically to them.
Temporary medical conditions such as broken limbs, surgery, flu, and pregnancy are not usually considered disabilities. It is appropriate for students with temporary medical conditions to work directly with their professors instead of going through the UAC. However, these students may visit with a UAC coordinator to brainstorm options for handling their situation. Volunteer services provided by the UAC (e.g., note taker, exam reader/scribe) may be considered. Documentation from the treating physician will be required. To receive services, please fill out our temporary medical intake form here.
Transcriptionists or transcribers use specialized software and equipment to provide live speech-to-text captioning in their assigned student’s classes.
The University Accessibility Center is seeking dedicated volunteers looking for meaningful opportunities to serve students with disabilities.
**Notice
All services and equipment described herein are subject to approval based on documentation of a qualifying disability. You will be assigned to work with a UAC coordinator who will review your specific needs and the documentation you present to determine accommodations for which you qualify. It is your responsibility to provide accurate and up-to-date documentation of a qualifying disability in order to maintain eligibility for the indicated accommodations. Your coordinator will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the documentation that is required.
Services and equipment are provided as accommodations for BYU institutional, educational access by the University Accessibility Center. Misuse or abuse of equipment or services may result in disqualification from such accommodations and may be subject to university action including referral to the Honor Code office. Discuss any questions you may have about appropriate use with your coordinator.