This is a brief description of the services provided by Disability Services. At the start of each semester, please meet with the Coordinator to discuss your needs for the semester. Current documentation must be on file to request accommodations.

Accessible housing
The University has twenty-seven residence halls and nine of these are accessible. Different styles of rooms have already been modified to meet ADA guidelines in eight of the residence halls. Additional modifications can be made based on individual need.

Seating at Notre Dame sporting events
If a disability makes it difficult to sit or stand at football or basketball games, special seating can be reserved. Wheelchair seating is also available throughout the student section. Special seating can be requested through Disability Services.

Personal care attendants
While the student with a disability is responsible for the cost of attendants, the office can help with recruitment and hiring.

Physical education independent study
First year students are required to complete two semesters of physical education. While a variety of activities are offered, a disability may prevent a student from completing the six units necessary. The independent study option allows a student to choose the units he or she can participate in, develop a new unit, or repeat a unit to fulfill the requirement.

Lab assistants
If a student has difficulty manipulating lab equipment because of a visual impairment or physical disability, lab assistants can be provided to assist with lab work.

Special equipment
In some cases the office can assist the student in obtaining assistive technology or other types of specialized equipment.

Large-print textbooks
The office can produce large-print copies of textbooks, handouts, and course packets.

Books on tape
The best source for textbooks on tape is Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). A membership application can be found on their web site at www.rfbd.org. If they do not have a book you need, a student can be hired to record the book and provide tapes in installments.

Readers
In addition to or a substitute for books on tape, readers can be provided to read course material directly to students with visual impairments.

Sign language interpreters and real-time captioning
Students who are deaf or have hearing impairments are provided with interpreters or real-time captioning for classes and other educational opportunities.

Note takers
Note takers, typically a classmate, can be hired to provide class notes if a student’s disability interferes with taking notes.

Alternate exam arrangements
This is the most common request made by students with disabilities. Alternate exam arrangements may include extended time, private testing rooms, large-print tests, use of a computer or a scribe.
Click here to notify the coordinator that you would like to request testing accommodations.

Foreign language substitution
If it is difficult for a student to learn a foreign language because of a disability, they may request to take another course, such as sign language, in order to fulfill the foreign language requirement. The impact of the disability on learning a foreign language must be well documented and the substitution cannot significantly alter the student’s academic program.

Additional Information

Appropriate documentation
Information from a medical professional must be provided to Disability Services to be eligible for services and reasonable accommodations. The documentation must be current and state a diagnosis of a disability and the functional limitations it causes. If you have questions about documentation please contact the Coordinator of Disability Services.

Requesting accommodations and services
At the college level it is the student’s responsibility to identify his or her disability and request accommodations. Once documentation is on file at Disability Services the student must meet with the Coordinator at the start of each semester to request services.

Finally…
Please consider working with the office as a “partnership” matching your knowledge of what works best and our experience of assisting students. Please ask if there are additional services you need. Let us know what is and is not working well for you