ADA accommodations
UMass Law is committed to ensuring that qualified students with documented disabilities have equal access to all academic programs by providing reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.
Initiating the Process
By law, students with disabilities are not required to self-disclose or register with the Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS). However, any student who believes they may need accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability must begin the process by scheduling an intake meeting with the Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) to discuss their requests. To schedule an appointment, please call 508-999-8711. For questions, OSAS may also be reached via email at access_success@umassd.edu. Contacting the main office using the information above will ensure a timelier response, as opposed to emailing the director directly.
Documentation and the Interactive Process
The Office of Student Accessibility Services reviews information from the following sources when determining eligibility and accommodations:
- Documentation: Documentation should be current (generally within five years), include a clear diagnosis and description of the impact on the student’s education, and be written on official letterhead and signed by an appropriate medical or psychological professional.
- Observation: OSAS may consider observable evidence of a disability or its effects and apply professional judgment and common sense in determining whether a physical or mental condition substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- Student Self-Report: The student's description of their experiences and functional limitations provides important insight in determining reasonable accommodations.
After reviewing documentation, observation, and the student's self-report, OSAS and the student will engage in an interactive process to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Accommodations cannot fundamentally alter the course, program, and/or degree requirements or pose an undue burden on the institution.
Timing of Accommodations
Accommodations are not afforded retroactively. Students are responsible for completing all course requirements and meeting established deadlines while their application is under review. Delays in student participation in the interactive process or in the student's timely submission of documentation cannot be cited as grounds for retroactive adjustments, grade appeals, or deadline extensions.
Accommodations for Other Processional Licensure Exams
Accommodations on the MPRE and the Bar Exam are determined by separate entities not associated with UMass Law. Receiving accommodations at UMass School of Law does not guarantee you will receive accommodations on any other licensing exam, including the MPRE and the Bar Exam.
It is important to review your state Bar Exams and the MPRE accommodation and documentation requirements well in advance of registering to ensure you meet all necessary deadlines and criteria.