The Office of Accessibility Services partners with students who have documented disabilities in order to provide an equitable opportunity for learning by identifying appropriate accommodations based on student’s individual needs.
We firmly believe that everyone deserves equitable access to the functions and facilities at the University of Central Missouri, and an equitable opportunity to pursue an education.
Disability and accommodations are defined and implemented under the context of federal disability laws. To be eligible for accommodations at the University of Central Missouri, students must have a disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The ADA defines disability as a person who has been determined to:
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, specialized software, or assistance with medication. However, if any services are being provided to students without disabilities, then they need to be provided in an accessible manner to students with disabilities.
Accessibility Services can also assist with:
The following steps MUST be completed in order to register with Accessibility Services and establish accommodations.
If a student at the University of Central Missouri requires accommodations due to disability, temporary impairment, or pregnancy, they must provide documentation from a qualified professional to support their request for accommodations through the Office of Accessibility Services.
A qualified professional has expertise in the physical/mental impairment or medical condition and has direct knowledge of the student's impairment and functional limitations. Examples of appropriate professionals include but are not limited to, doctors (including psychiatrists), psychologists, physical therapists, licensed mental health professionals, certified physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, etc. Please note that documentation provided by a relative or family friend is not acceptable.
Documentation serves three purposes:
Documentation should include:
If the qualified professional indicates specific accommodations and/or auxiliary aids, supporting evidence must be included. However, the final determination for providing appropriate accommodations and auxiliary aids rests with the Office of Accessibility Services.
Documentation may be submitted in but not limited to one of the following formats:
IEP's or Section 504 plans from high school:
Although an IEP or Section 504 plan from high school may help identify services that
have been used by a student in the past, they generally are NOT sufficient documentation
to support the existence of a current disability and need for accommodations.
Privacy/Confidentiality:
The Office of Accessibility Services is the custodian of disability records obtained for the purpose of providing accommodations. Students are discouraged from sending disability related/medical records to Admissions, academic departments, and/or faculty.
All information and documentation submitted to Accessibility Services is kept separate from academic records and is considered private under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Under FERPA, disability and medical information is confidential and is not shared except where disclosure is required by law or is necessary to facilitate legitimate University processes, including granting appropriate accommodations, addressing direct threats, or investigating claims or charges.
HIPAA privacy and confidentiality guides do not apply to documents submitted to Accessibility Services as they are not used for treatment or billing purposes.
More information about your rights under HIPAA and how your health information must be kept private and secure can be found on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights website:
Documentation can be submitted by email (preferred), delivered in person, or sent by traditional mail.
When sending documentation by email please upload supporting documents in commonly used file formats (i.e., PDF, JPG).
Email: access@ucmo.edu
In-Person: Elliott Student Union, 224
Mailing Address:
University of Central Missouri
Office of Accessibility Services
Elliott Student Union 224
511 South Holden St.
Warrensburg, MO 64093
Once documentation is received, Accessibility Services staff will verify, review, and consider all relevant information provided on an individual, case-by-case basis. Students will then be contacted through their UCM student email to either schedule an intake appointment or to request further documentation.
Students should allow at least 48 business hours for the review process. Please note there may be certain times during the year that result in a higher volume of documentation received resulting in a longer turnaround time.
Students must meet with Accessibility Services staff to discuss their needs in more detail, identify and review accommodations, go over procedures for implementing accommodations, and discuss potential resources.
Be prepared to answer questions for yourself, such as:
Now that you are in college, it’s up to you to advocate for yourself and your needs. When you were in high school, your parents and teachers likely determined what you needed and discussed your disability. Teachers and parents likely identified that you had a disability and planned for you to receive services. In college, the process works much differently.
In college YOU MUST do the following to receive and utilize accommodations:
Advocating for yourself also means that it is your responsibility to talk to your instructors about what you need and when you need it. You may choose to use some accommodations in some classes and choose not to use them in others. You will need to be able to discuss the following with instructors:
Instructors will not remind you when assignments are due or if you have incomplete assignments. They will have no parental contact. They expect you to read, save, and refer back to your course syllabus. You are completely responsible for your classes. If you need assistance, they expect you to approach them and ask.
The University of Central Missouri supports the use of service animals and emotional support animals on campus by those with disabilities in appropriate circumstances and in accordance with this policy.
Per the University Student Handbook:
Students seeking housing accommodation(s) and/or exemption(s) due to a disability must register with the Office of Accessibility Services.
Be aware! Many unethical providers/companies online claim they can provide (at a cost) items like "support animal certifications", "registration numbers", or "ID cards", however, this is a scam! There is no such thing as "certifying your support animal". These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them. There is no official registration system for support animals or service animals in the US.
First and second year students are required to live in university housing. Students whose circumstances meet one of the exemptions or have changed since signing the Housing Agreement may apply for an exemption to this requirement. A list of exemptions may be obtained from the Office of University Housing.
Residential Requirement Policy
Students seeking housing accommodation(s) and/or exemption(s) due to a disability must register with the Office of Accessibility Services.
The Office of Accessibility Services is committed to supporting students with disabilities, temporary impairments, and/or pregnancy by offering reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Our objective is to ensure they have an equitable opportunity to learn, participate in campus activities and events, and engage in their academic experience.
Union 224
(660) 543-4983
access@ucmo.edu
Union 220
(660) 543-4699
oas@ucmo.edu