The Office of Accessibility Services is dedicated to providing persons with disabilities equal access to the functions and facilities of the University of Central Missouri. If you are a student with a disability, we encourage you to contact Accessibility Services. We are committed to providing services and reasonable, appropriate accommodations to allow students to achieve an equal opportunity to education and other activities.
We provide services to students in these three service areas:
Postsecondary education disability offices are not expected to provide personal services and equipment, such as: tutors, personal care attendants, campus guides or helpers to attend events, hearing aids, personal computers or similar equipment, or assistance with medication. However, if these services are being provided to students without disabilities, then they need to be provided in an accessible manner to students with disabilities.
To be eligible for academic accommodations at the University of Central Missouri you must have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and be enrolled in one or more hours of study in UCM courses.
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act provides for equal opportunity to persons with disabilities. To be protected under the ADA, you must be determined to:
If a disability exists, reasonable appropriate accommodations are determined to create equal opportunity.
The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) operates under the mandate of federal disability law, which includes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The law provides that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity for post secondary education. Under the law, the definition of "disability" requires that the impairment be a permanent or long-term physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity, including education.
OAS provides academic accommodations to University of Central Missouri students with disabilities. Accommodations are those measures which are reasonable and appropriate and will aid in providing an equal educational opportunity for the student.
The law requires the student to provide appropriate documentation of the disability if the student wants to implement accommodations.
Appropriate documentation of the disability would indicate:
Below are some commonly used accommodations; you will work with an OAS staff person to determine your specific accommodations.
In the Classroom:
For Studying and Exams:
In Campus Housing:
Around Campus:
Did you know? Word and Excel, as well as Apple applications, have read-aloud features built in to their design.
Due to your right of confidentiality, OAS does not take action on your behalf unless you request or authorize it. Each semester you will contact OAS again to renew services for the new semester.
When you meet with an accessibility professional in our office there may be other forms to complete.
Did you know that most devices can read aloud, respond to voice commands, use larger fonts, and much more? Use the link below to check out the accessibility capabilities of your device. These features can help improve your educational experience at UCM.
Chromebook Accessibility Features
MacBook, iPad, or iPhone Accessibility Features
Windows Accessibility Features
These videos may also assist with having text read aloud:
How to Enable a Mac to Read a PDF Aloud
How to Enable a Mac to Read a PowerPoint Aloud
How to Enable a PC to Read a PowerPoint Aloud
The Office of Accessibility Services is dedicated to providing persons with disabilities equal access to the functions and facilities of the University of Central Missouri. We are committed to providing students with disabilities services and reasonable, appropriate accommodations to achieve equal opportunity to education and other student activities.
Office of Accessibility Services
Administrative Office
Elliott Union 224
Tel: 660-543-4983
Office of Accessibility Services
Testing Center
Elliott Union 220
Tel: 660-543-4699