Frequently Asked Questions
General Application & Eligibility
Student Disability Resources provides accommodations and services to ensure students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities at UND. We work with students, faculty, and staff to promote accessibility and inclusion on campus.
Any UND student with a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities may be eligible for accommodations. Eligibility is determined through an individualized assessment.
A disability is a physical or mental impairment that significantly limits one or more major life activities, such as learning, walking, seeing, hearing, or concentration.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protect students with disabilities in higher education, ensuring they have equal access to programs and services.
Students typically qualify if they have a documented disability that impacts their access to education. You’ll need to complete an intake process and provide documentation of your disability to Student Disability Resources.
Documentation should be provided by a qualified professional who has specific expertise in your condition and is able to clearly describe the nature of your disability and how it affects your daily functioning. The professional must have relevant experience or credentials in the area of your condition to ensure that the documentation accurately reflects your situation. Specific documentation requirements may vary depending on the nature of the disability.
No, you are not guaranteed the accommodations recommended by your provider. Accommodations are determined by Student Disability Resources through an interactive process with the student. We will consider the supporting documentation to assess the functional limitations caused by the disability. While your provider's recommendations are helpful, they are just recommendations, not guarantees.
Contact Student Disability Resources for guidance. In some cases, we may offer provisional accommodations while you seek documentation.
Our office collaborates with students to ensure equitable access to UND’s programs and services, which may include academics, housing, dining, and other areas of campus life.
We provide reasonable accommodations tailored to each individual’s needs and based on their specific situation.
Accommodations are not automatically granted; after submitting your information, we will meet with you to discuss your unique circumstances and determine an appropriate accommodation plan. This process considers multiple factors, including the nature of your courses and the impact of your disability or condition. Your accommodation plan at UND will be unique to your time here and may differ from accommodations you have received previously.
Student Disability Resources does not charge for accommodations. However, students are responsible for aids or personal assistance, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, home-use computers, or personal attendants for tasks like bathing, dressing, or life coaching.
There is no specific deadline, but it’s recommended to apply as soon as possible to ensure accommodations are in place when needed. Accommodations are not retroactive.
If an accommodation request is denied, you can work with your Access Coordinator to explore alternative accommodations or appeal the decision if necessary.
Reasonable accommodations are adjustments made to ensure equal access to the educational environment and course materials for students with disabilities. These accommodations are modifications or adjustments that help students participate fully without changing the fundamental nature of a course or program. They are intended to provide access, not to give an unfair advantage or lower course requirements.
Accommodations are determined collaboratively by the student and an Access Coordinator after reviewing the student’s documentation and discussing specific access needs.
Contact Student Disability Resources or UND’s Office of Equal Opportunity to file a formal complaint if you believe you have experienced discrimination.
No, accommodations are confidential and are not reflected on your transcript.
No, your accommodations cannot be determined before you enroll at UND. While we are happy to consult with you before enrollment, academic accommodations can only be determined once you are a student at the university. For housing accommodations, while the process begins before official enrollment, they can be discussed after the housing application opens. For more information, please check our website regarding housing accommodations.
Although temporary medical conditions are not typically covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Student Disability Resources may be able to provide support on a temporary basis depending upon the condition and situation. Students are encouraged to contact Student Disability Resources to discuss your situation. Additionally, Community Standards & Care Network can discuss courtesy services and other support options.
No. It is the student's responsibility to obtain testing and diagnostic information. Students are encouraged to explore local services in their area, and Student Disability Resources can assist by discussing available options in the Grand Forks community.
No. The application and documentation process is completed the first time a student seeks disability accommodations. Each semester accommodations are reviewed to determine needs and reasonableness with the new course schedule.
Contact Student Disability Resources—our team is here to help!
Differences Between High School and the University
Generally, accommodations do not transfer directly from high school to UND. At the university level, accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, considering your current functional limitations and the essential components of each course or program. UND is not required to make adjustments that would fundamentally alter the nature of a course or program, so some accommodations that were appropriate in high school may not be suitable at UND.
In college, students are responsible for advocating for themselves and independently requesting accommodations. Unlike in high school, where schools play a more active role in providing support, college students must be the front line managers of their disability. Additionally, accommodations in college are intended to ensure equal access to course materials and the learning environment, but they do not impact grades, modify course content, or alter academic standards.
At the post-secondary level, students are required to request their own accommodations directly and must engage in the interactive process.
Under FERPA, parents may only participate in meetings or discuss accommodations with an Access Coordinator if the student provides written consent. While parents are welcome to share relevant information with their student’s Access Coordinator, any information shared by the coordinator will require the student’s permission.
Parent & Family
No, at the post-secondary level, students are required to request their own accommodations directly and must engage in the interactive process.
No, the student is responsible for advocating for themselves. The university cannot release information without the student's consent, and even with consent, releasing information is different from doing the work on behalf of the student. It is important for students to take the lead in communicating with Student Disability Resources, faculty, and academic advisors regarding their accommodations and academic progress.
Maybe. Parents are able to attend meetings with their student, so long as Student Disability Resources has a current FERPA release on file from the student.
Visit with your student about your concerns, first. Encourage your student to work with Student Disability Resources and access campus resources. You may also reach out with general questions, but specific information will require student consent.
Faculty & Staff
We encourage faculty to include a statement in their syllabus about Student Disability Resources. It's important not to assume that a student has a disability. Instead, faculty should offer the information and encourage students to reach out if they feel it would be helpful. Directing students to our website for more information allows them to explore our services at their own discretion.
No, you’re only informed of the approved accommodations, not the specific diagnosis.
Faculty are encouraged to discussion implementation needs with Student Disability Resources and the student. Other great resources include the Teaching Transformation and Development Academy. More information about implementation of accommodations is noted near the bottom of the Notification of Disability Accommodations email.
Direct the student to Student Disability Resources. Only Student Disability Resources can verify eligibility and provide official accommodation letters. Generally, you will receive a Notification of Disability Accommodations email for the current semester from our office. Staff are available to consult, if needed.
Students are able to request accommodations at any time. Faculty must implement the accommodation in a timely manner. Accommodations are not retroactive. The accommodations are in effect from the date of the letter. If questions or concerns arise, please consult with Student Disability Resources staff.
Our website is full of great information!
Contact Student Disability Resources to discuss your concerns. We’ll work with you to ensure accommodations are appropriate and reasonable.
Generally, no, you are not required to allow a retake of the exam. Faculty should review the Notification of Disability Accommodations email for the specific accommodations outlined for the student’s course. If a student requests accommodations beyond what is listed in their letter, they should be referred to Student Disability Resources. Faculty may choose to make alternative arrangements for students, but these should be separate from disability-related accommodations.
Privacy & Confidentiality
All student records and information are confidential under FERPA. The Notification of Disability Accommodation email sent to faculty disclose the presence of a disability and supported academic accommodations for that specific course, but do not provide any specific information regarding your condition(s).
Documentation received is reviewed only by the Student Disability Resources team. Documentation received by Student Disability Resources is not shared with instructors, professors, or University departments.
No. Students registered with Student Disability Resources are not required to disclose details about their disability or diagnosis to professors or instructors. However, students may choose to share this information if they wish.
Housing Accommodations
The student applies with Student Disability Resources to determine eligibility for consideration of reasonable accommodations.
The student applies with Student Disability Resources to determine eligibility for consideration of reasonable accommodations.
No. Student Disability Resources does not share with roommates disability accommodations. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their ESA with their roommates. ESA owners are responsible for maintaining proper care and control of the animal; must properly dispose of the animal’s waste; and are responsible for any damage or injury caused by the animal.
The determination process is done on a case-by-case basis and is accomplished through an interactive process with the student through discussion(s) and review of the disability documentation.
We provide reasonable accommodations tailored to each individual’s needs and based on their specific situation. Student Disability Resources works in collaboration with Housing & Residence Life to determine accommodation options for students with disabilities.
UND Housing & Residence Life website provides details regarding the various living options available on campus.
Yes, please complete the housing application process requirements from UND Housing & Residence Life.
Animals on Campus
Please refer to the Animals on Campus policy.
A student with a disability who requires the assistance of a service animal is not required to make an accommodation request to have their service animal present in the classroom, University housing, or in other public areas of campus. There may be areas where a service animal is denied entry due to a substantial and direct threat to health and safety. For more information, refer to the Animals on Campus policy.
The student applies with Student Disability Resources, and provides the necessary documentation required to determine eligibility for consideration of an Emotional Support Animal accommodation request.