Obtaining Academic Accommodations

Disclosing that you have a disability is a personal decision. Upon enrolling at the Academy of Art University, new students who plan to request accommodations are encouraged to contact Accessibility Resources as soon as possible. Early identification can be the key to ensuring a smooth beginning to your semester. Often, accommodations can be time-consuming to coordinate. Advanced planning allows us to meet your needs and give you access to programs and services from day one.

How to register with Accessibility Resources

To obtain accommodations related to a disability, you must register with Accessibility Resources. Students are required to submit current and comprehensive documentation from a qualified professional, such as a doctor, licensed mental health practitioner, or learning specialist to Accessibility Resources. We suggest discussing the impact your disability may have on your desired course of study with your practitioner.

You will need to:

• Obtain documentation from your diagnosing professional that includes the following:
  • Diagnosis
  • How the disability will impact your experience at ArtU
  • Recommended accommodations applicable to a university setting
• Email documentation to us at accessibility@academyart.edu
• Schedule a meeting with an Accessibility Representative to discuss accommodations needed for equal access.

Students with approved accommodations will receive an accommodation letter. These accommodations must be reactivated every semester. Unless your condition or needs change, new documentation is not required.

Accommodations in College

Obtaining accommodations in college is different from what you might be used to in K-12 schools. Students in the college setting will take the lead in requesting accommodations and will be asked to engage in an interactive process to register for accommodations. In K-12 the focus is on promoting student success. However, in college, universities are charged with providing “access” to students with disabilities. The transition from high school to college is a good opportunity to rethink the accommodations you may need that may be particular to our campus and curriculum.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website, which provides more information regarding preparation for college, as well as the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities:

Visit the U.S. Department of Education