Not necessarily. DSS requires documentation of a diagnosed condition and which demonstrates functional impact.

IEPs and 504 plans are often not sufficient to determine eligibility at the college level. Educational evaluations that do not include a specific diagnosis and / or do not demonstrate that a condition rises to the level of disability are also not sufficient.

The laws that govern accommodations and services in the K – 12 setting differ from the laws that govern the college setting. Also, accommodation shifts from success to access once a student enters college. For these reasons, acceptable documentation for high school may not be reasonable for the college setting.

The DSS registration process is an interactive one using information from students’ documentation and their own self-report to demonstrate a disability-related need. During your accommodation planning meeting with a Case Manager, various academic areas will be reviewed, and you should be prepared to describe any disability-related challenges you experience. This helps the Case Manager learn more about your history and experiences so that they can recommend campus services, resources, or appropriate accommodations.

Accommodations may not always mirror those received in high school because they may not be reasonable in the college setting, or the need may be met through other services available on campus. At the end of the accommodation planning meeting, you will know what accommodations you are eligible to receive. As an entering student, it can be difficult to know what to expect from college classrooms and academic requirements, but you may request additional accommodations at any point by contacting your case manager.

Add visual chart

If you have not earned college-level credit for math or English above the remedial level, you are required to take an assessment to determine course placement. For exceptions, deadlines, and instructions, please visit Course Placement Information.

Students typically take placement tests prior to Blazer Beginnings, since course registration occurs during Blazer Beginnings. To receive accommodation on your math placement exam, we recommend that you submit an application to complete registration with DSS. We will review your documentation and conduct an accommodation planning meeting. If approved for accommodations we will send an email to your Blazer email and the UAB Testing Center to notify that accommodation is approved on the placement test. Again, documentation should be sent to DSS well in advance of your Blazer Beginnings dates if accommodation is needed.

Students are required to attend Blazer Beginnings before they are allowed to register for classes, so there is no way for DSS to provide priority registration to entering students prior to Blazer Beginnings. However, you maybe eligible to receive priority registration for all future semesters once you have completed the registration process with DSS. Case managers do not serve as advisors, so you must meet with an academic advisor before course registration. Each college has a Student Services office that provides advising, and students can also locate this information by logging into DegreeWorks.

DSS facilitates academic accommodations that are specific to the classroom and learning environments. We do not offer personal services such as coaching, tutoring, or personal devices or technology.

We recommend exploring available resources at UAB if you have a need that is not addressed through accommodations.

Resources

• VMASC
• TRIO
• UAB Writing Center

DSS oversees academic accommodations, so other types of access are provided through other campus departments:

• Housing accommodations: Students who would like to request housing accommodations must complete the Housing and Residence Life application procedure as well as follow the DSS registration process. Contact DSS at 205-934-4205 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for questions about the registration process. Please register as early as possible to allow time to complete the registration process and submit documentation that supports the housing request.
• Dining accommodations
• Accessible parking: We also recommend consulting the interactive campus map to learn your way around campus, locate parking options, and review accessible entrances and routes.

DSS operates under strict confidentiality guidelines, and we do not release information about you without your consent.

Information related to disability and accommodations is confidential and held separately from your educational record. This means no one will know that you are registered with DSS unless you choose to tell them. This is also why it is your responsibility to send an accommodation letter to your instructor(s) each semester.

Accommodation letters are sent by the student and include information about the student’s accommodations. No information is disclosed regarding students’ diagnoses. Instructors do not have a legal right to know your disability or diagnosis and you are not required to share this information with instructors.

DSS cannot communicate with parents, guardians, and family members without your consent. You may complete a Release of Information consent in the DSS Online Portal if you want to give us permission to speak with someone on your behalf.