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Academic Accommodations, Services, & Mission

Mission and Philosophy

The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) works to ensure equitable access to the university experience for students with disabilities. Our office partners with students, faculty, and staff to remove barriers and create inclusive learning environments that support academic success and full participation in campus life.

We work collaboratively across the University to implement reasonable accommodations and promote accessible practices in teaching, learning, and campus programs. Through this partnership model, we support students in developing self-awareness, self-advocacy, and independence while navigating their academic journey.

UMass Dartmouth is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other applicable federal and state laws that ensure access to programs, services, and activities for qualified students with disabilities

 

Services Available

OSAS offers a range of supports to help students fully access academic programs and participate in campus life. Services include but are not limited to:

  • Exam accommodations: Extended time for quizzes and exams, reduced-distraction testing spaces, use of a word processor for short answer or essay exams, and screen reader software, as needed.

  • Classroom supports: Permission to use audio recording devices.

  • Specialized accommodations: Services such as sign language interpreters or materials in braille. Requests for specialized accommodations must be submitted at least six (6) weeks prior to the start of classes to allow for scheduling and preparation. Early requests help ensure timely availability of providers and materials.

  • Advocacy and mediation: Assistance navigating academic policies, faculty communication, and other campus resources.

  • Graduate Assistant meetings: As a courtesy, when available, we offer meetings with the graduate assistant to help with time management, assignment chunking, and other academic problems. Please note: the graduate assistant is not a tutor.

Please note: OSAS does not provide funding for personal care assistants or caretakers, mobility assistance or training, ADHD/ASD coaching, personal tutoring, personal specialized technology or training, personal equipment (e.g., wheelchairs or scooters), medical evaluations, or transportation to campus.

The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 both mandate that modification of programs be considered if a disability can be identified. The law further specifies reduction in academic load as a reasonable accommodation. The legislation was written to give persons with disabilities equal opportunity.

Students who establish their status as a student with a disability through the Office of Student Accessibility Services would be eligible to receive the accommodation of taking a reduced course load while still maintaining full-time status. This means that an undergraduate student would be granted full-time status while enrolled in nine credit hours, rather than twelve credit hours per semester. A graduate student would be granted full-time status while enrolled in six credit hours, rather than nine credit hours per semester.

Students granted the accommodation of reduced course load will be viewed as a full-time student by the University and qualifies for all rights and privileges associated with such status, such as eligibility to live on campus, participation in student organization, and holding an office in the student government.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth will report the number of credits the student is currently enrolled in to authorized agencies, including but not limited to, health insurance companies requesting this information.

Financial Aid is based on the actual number of credits for which a student is registered and this is founded on federal guidelines that the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth must adhere to. The Registrar, in reporting enrollment data to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse, likewise has to report the student’s actual enrollment data. Specific programs, including but not limited to, Pell Grant, MassGrant, Gear Up Grant, John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and Merit Awards, tie the award to a student's actual enrollment and require full-time attendance marked at 12 credit hours or more.  Yet, as long as a student is enrolled in at least half-time attendance, they are still eligible for general financial aid consideration.  

Please contact Financial Aid (508.999.8643) to inquire how a reduced course load would specifically affect you.