Disability Support Services strives to help students with disabilities reach their personal best. This is accomplished through providing reasonable academic accommodations, connecting students to other campus resources, and by promoting self-advocacy skills.
If you received accommodations in high school, please refer to the chart below to help understand the differences between receiving services at the high school and university levels.
Additionally, see the Office of Civil Rights page which outlines the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities that are attending colleges and universities, including the differences between receiving disability services in a high school and college environment.
Whether you are are an incoming freshman, transfer student, or an existing UMW student who would like to be evaluated for accommodations, please visit our Student Information page and complete steps 1-3.
| High School (IEP) | College (ADA) |
| Language Learning Difference | Language Learning Disability |
| Disability Identified by School:Some disabilities are identified by school staff. In the majority of cases, the school follows-up with the student on a regular basis. | Disability Identified by Student:The student is responsible for checking in with the Office of Disability Services if they are seeking accommodations. Student is responsible for communicating their accommodation with each of their instructors. |
| Assessment Paid by School | Assessment Paid by Student |
| School/Parent Advocates for Student | Student Advocates for Themselves:Students are responsible for their own success. If a need is not being met or an accommodation needs to be changed, students are responsible for communicating this to their instructor or to the Office of Disability Services |
| Decisions Made by a Team | Decisions Made by the Student |
1.) Understand your disability. Make sure you are knowledgeable about all of the crucial information regarding your disability and can discuss it.
2.) Independent Living. Practice doing the laundry, make a budget and learn to manage your money. These are beneficial skills for all college students.
3.) Know your rights. Students with disabilities are protected. Students should review this document: Students With Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education, know your Rights and Responsibilities
4.) Logistics. Students with disabilities may need to think about different aspects of everyday life. You may want to consider the best routes to your classrooms or create a schedule that allows extra time to get from A to B.
5.) Self Advocacy. Learn to speak up for yourself. At times you may need to speak up about your needs. Develop confidence in yourself so that you can let others know if your needs aren’t being met.
