Accessibility Services

We provide services to students in these three service areas:

1. Documented permanent or long-term disability: see Eligibility and Documentation of Disability below for complete explanations.
2. Temporary Impairment: short-term conditions such as an injured limb or brief hospitalization. While this kind of condition is not a disability and is not protected by disability laws, our office is glad to work with you on certain accommodations during your recuperation.
3. Pregnancy: this service is provided as part of our university's commitment to the rights and protections provided by Title IX.

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: 

1. have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or 
2. have a record of such an impairment; or 
3. be regarded as having such an impairment. 

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:

• an appropriate, professional source, and on that person's letterhead; 
• the diagnosis of the impairment;
• how the characteristics of the impairment appear in this individual;
• how those characteristics substantially limit one or more major life activity;
• and, if possible, indicate accommodations that would be appropriate.

Below are some commonly used accommodations; you will work with an OAS staff person to determine your specific accommodations.

 In the Classroom:

• Alternative seating
• Calculator for math classes or activities
• Closed caption and/or descriptive audio for videos or films
• Extended time for in-class projects
• May need to move, stand, or leave the room during class
• Note taker

 For Studying and Exams:

• Copy of instructor's notes
• Spell check/grammar check for essay exams
• Reader and/or scribe for exams
• Extended time for tests
• Distraction-reduced testing environment
• Text in alternative format such as data audio, Braille, large print, etc.

 In Campus Housing:

• Wheelchair or mobility accessibility
• Registered emotional support animal or service animal
• Private room

  Around Campus:

• Elevator access including daily use and/or upper level classrooms moved if elevator out of order for a lengthy period
• Public Safety needed in exiting a UCM building in time of emergency
• Sign language interpreter for UCM-sponsored events
• Wheelchair/scooter/mobility accessibility for class field trips, internships, etc.
• Accessible parking

Did you know?  Word and Excel, as well as Apple applications, have read-aloud features built in to their design.  

Unlike in grades K-12, you will need to arrange for your services as a university student. You will contact OAS, provide documentation of your disability, and request services.

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.

If you are interested in requesting an Emotional Support Animal as an accommodation, complete this form and bring it with you to your first meeting at our office. Please also read this document from University Housing regarding Emotional Support Animals.

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

How to Enable a Chromebook to Read a PowerPoint Aloud

How to Enable a Mac to Read a Word Doc Aloud