Services For Students With Disabilities
UMA complies with all laws which define the rights of individuals with disabilities and makes reasonable efforts to accommodate specific academic needs.
A person with a disability is anyone who either has, used to have, or is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially affects a major life activity (such as seeing, walking, or learning). A qualified person with a disability is someone whose experience, education, and training enable the person to meet program requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation. An accommodation is any change in the learning environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables a person with a disability to have equitable access to the University experience.
Some disabilities are readily apparent, such as mobility impairment or hand limitations. Hidden disabilities that are not usually noticeable through casual observation include learning disabilities, chronic illness, hearing or visual impairments, and psychological disorders.
Although students with disabilities may learn in different ways or using different tools, these differences in no way imply that their capacity for college-level work is inferior or limited. Students with disabilities who apply to the University are admitted through the same admissions process as other students. Accommodating students with disabilities does NOT mean setting different standards for them. It may mean, however:
- modifying the way course information is presented;
- modifying methods of testing and evaluation to allow students to demonstrate what they know;
- allowing students to use adaptive equipment such as tape recorders or voice amplifiers;
- adapting administrative procedures or moving architectural barriers.
UMA Accommodation Procedure
Accommodations may vary according to the specific requirements of a course or activity; therefore, an accommodation request must be made by the student prior to each new semester. Students are encouraged to request accommodations as soon as they know their class schedule for the upcoming term. Accommodations may take several weeks to implement.
- Students and prospective students with physical, psychological or learning disabilities should be in touch with the appropriate local ADA contact person to discuss their academic needs and the accommodation process. (See list to determine specific staff member.)
- The student must provide current documentation of their disability and accommodation needs from a qualified medical or licensed professional evaluator if the disability is not readily apparent. This documentation should describe the nature, longevity, and severity of symptoms, as well as the impact which the disability has on the learning process. All documentation is considered confidential.
- Working with the local ADA contact, the student should complete a Student Disability Accommodation Request Form.
- On the basis of the documentation, appropriate accommodations are determined by the UMA Learning Support Services staff, in consultation with the student’s health care provider and faculty if needed.
- When accommodations are deemed appropriate for a specific course or activity, an Accommodation Authorization Form will be completed by a Learning Support Services staff member. A copy of the form is sent to the student, the student’s professor(s), other University personnel who need to be involved in implementation, and the local ADA contact as appropriate.
- Some types of accommodations, such as modifications for taking exams, require ongoing discussion between student and professor to arrange specific details. Plan ahead, and be sure everyone involved knows the plan.
- If a student does not agree with the accommodations deemed appropriate by the Learning Support Services staff, the student may appeal to the UMA Equal Opportunity Office.
- Any problems with a student’s accommodations which occur during the semester should be discussed with the Learning Support Services staff and/or the local ADA contact.
ADA Contacts
Augusta
Donald Osier
Director, Learning Support Services
University of Maine at Augusta
Jewett Hall, Room 195J
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 621-3066 or 1-877-862-1234, ext. 3066
TTY/TDD: (800) 316-3600
Fax: (207) 621-3491
E-mail: donald.osier@maine.edu
Judith DeMilo Brown
Learning Support Specialist and Tutoring Coordinator
University of Maine at Augusta
Jewett Hall, Room 195C
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: (207) 621-3421 or 1-877-862-1234, ext. 3421
TTY/TDD: (800) 316-3600
Fax: (207) 621-3491
E-mail: judith.demilo@maine.edu
Bangor
Nicholas Runco
Learning Support Specialist
University College of Bangor
Eastport Hall, Room 101B
128 Texas Avenue
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: (207) 262-7806
TTY/TDD: (207) 262-7823
Fax: (207) 262-7821
E-mail: nrunco@maine.edu
University College Student Service Coordinators
The ADA contact for students taking UMA courses at University College sites and centers is the Student Services Coordinator for their location.
Equal Opportunity Officer for UMA students at all locations
Sheri R. Stevens, Vice President for Administration
Office of Administrative Services, Farmhouse
Phone: (207) 621-3100
TTY/TDD: 1-800-316-3600
Fax: (207) 621-3405
UMA Student Conduct Officer
Kathleen Dexter, Dean of Students
Office of Student Services, Robinson Hall
Phone: (207) 621-3153
TTY/TDD: 1-800-316-3600
Fax: (207) 621-311
On-Line Resources
- ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association) resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) education, advocacy and support for individuals with AD/HD
- LDA (Learning Disabilities Association of America) a national organization of parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities
- LD Online - a "one-stop" for information on learning disabilities