Types of Accommodations

 The University of Detroit Mercy is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The office of Student Accessibility Services collaborates with students who qualify for accommodations within the guidelines of: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, (ADA); The amendments of 2008, (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act).

Commonly Provided Educational Accommodations

  • Sign language interpreters
  • CART (real time captioning) services
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Removal of architectural barriers
  • See the sections below for details on testing accommodations, housing accommodations, note-taking, alternative format textbooks and materials, and emotional support animals.

Other accommodations

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    Note-taking

    Based on the information obtained during the interactive process, Note-taking technology or shared peer notes could be considered necessary, according to ADA guidelines, to maximize the student's accessibility during enrollment at UDM. 

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    Housing accommodations

    Based on the information obtained during the interactive process, which includes medical documentation relating to the need for a housing accommodation, could be considered necessary according to the ADA guidelines to maximize the student's accessibility during enrollment at UDM. 

    Housing accommodations are approved on an annual basis and students must re-apply each year. Services of a personal nature such as a personal aide, or individually prescribed devices or services that are not available to other students without disabilities are the responsibility of the student and will not be provided by Student Accessibility Services or the Residence Life Office. 

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    Alternative format textbooks and materials

    Based on the information obtained during the interactive process the following could be considered necessary according to the ADA guidelines to maximize the student's accessibility during enrollment at UDM.

    • digital format texts for textbooks
    • text-to-speech software options
    • speech-to-text software options
    • large print
    • Braille
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    Testing accommodations

    Based on the information obtained during the interactive process the following testing accommodations could be considered necessary according the the ADA guidelines to maximize the student's accessibility during enrollment at UDM.

    • alternative test formats (e.g. giving a written exam orally, or changing the way answers are recorded)
    • extended time on exams
    • permitting use of a dictionary or spell-checker (unless test is designed to measure spelling ability)
    • distraction-reduced room
    • scribe / repetition of instructions

     

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    Emotional Support Animal

    Definition of Emotional Support Animal (ESA):
    An emotional support animal, as defined under the Fair Housing Act, is an animal that provides
    necessary emotional support to individuals with disabilities with a mental or psychiatric
    disability, but which is not considered a service animal under the ADAAA. 


    Emotional Support Animals in Campus Housing:

    • The SAS office makes the determination if the ESA is qualified to reside in the UDM residence hall. This is a three-step interactive process.
    • If an ESA accommodation is approved by the SAS office, the following applies:
      The ESA must be contained within the student’s privately assigned individual
      living quarters (room or suite) except to the extent the resident is taking the
      animal out for natural relief.
    • When the ESA is outside the resident’s private living quarters, the animal must be in an animal carrier or controlled by a leash or harness.
    • The ESA is not permitted in other areas of the University (e.g., other campus
      housing locations, other student’s rooms, dining facilities, academic buildings,
      athletic buildings and facilities, labs, libraries, etc.).
    • The student must have an established relationship with the ESA of at least 6
      months prior to move-in date. This will help to ensure that the student is familiar
      with the ESA’s behavior, habits, and needs, for the safety and well-being of the
      animal and the students and staff who work or reside in the residence halls.
    • ESAs are required to be at least twelve (12) months of age unless an exception to
      this requirement has been approved by SAS.