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Accommodations
What Is an Accommodation Plan?
An accommodation plan outlines specific modifications and adjustments made to an environment, task or process, which make it possible for a student to fully participate in student life at UMKC. If you are a UMKC student with a documented need for accommodation, we can help.
Examples of accommodations:
- Academic and testing - support, access, and other aids to assist students in the classroom environment
- Housing - access to and adjustments in and on-campus housing arrangements, including but not limited to residing with an emotional support animal
- Dietary - modifications and forms of assistance for the campus meal plan and facilities (It is exceedingly rare to excuse a student from participation in the UMKC meal plan due to accessibility.)
- Religious - support for religious practices and observances, ensuring students can participate fully in their education while adhering to their religious beliefs
- When possible, submit requests at least one month before the observance. This allows time for review, processing and coordination with instructors. Requests submitted with less notice will still be reviewed. Available options may be limited because of timing or course or program requirements.
- Submit only one request per observance. For holidays that follow a lunar calendar, one request covers the observance even if the exact date changes
- Use the “Additional Accommodation / Accommodation Adjustment Request” button in Roo Access to submit additional requests
- Temporary - up to a semester-long accommodation plan for students with a temporary condition, such as a broken bone, pregnancy, surgery recovery, severe illness or mental health condition
- Pregnancy- accommodations related to pregnancy. Does not cover partners.
- Pregnancy accommodations protect the mother while pregnant
- Accommodations cannot fundamentally alter a course format (online or in-person) or course requirements
- Documentation must confirm pregnancy and include expected due date
- Lactation accommodations, support and spaces on campus
- Service Animals-A service animal is an animal, typically a dog, that has been trained to assist a person with an accessibility need. To help keep our campus safe and accessible, students who use a service animal are strongly encouraged to register their animal with Student Accessibility Services through Roo Access Read more information about service animals on the Assistance Animals tab.
UMKC Employee Accommodation Plans
Student Accessibility Services handles student accommodation plans. If you are a UMKC faculty or staff member, you may request accommodations, including temporary accommodations for pregnancy, through the Office of Equity and Title IX.
How to Apply for a New Accommodation Plan
As a new student or an enrolled student with a temporary situation, including pregnancy, you may apply to establish a new accommodation plan.
Accessibility needs documentation
Your application for an accommodation plan must include documentation from a licensed professional, such as a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist or psychologist. In some cases, you may be able to use your Individualized Education Program, known as an IEP, or 504 Plan, from your previous school as documentation.
Some conditions require more extensive documentation than others. Are you planning to take a high-stakes exam, such as the GRE, LSAT or professional licensure exam? If so, you should familiarize yourself with their documentation requirements now to ensure a seamless process throughout your academic career.
The documentation must be on the licensed professional's letterhead, signed and dated, or you may provide the professional the Accommodations Documentation Form .
The documentation must include these items:
- A specific diagnosis
- The date of diagnosis or how long the provider has been treating you for your diagnosed condition
- A description of the impact the current diagnosed condition has on your life
- A description of the expected progression or stability of the diagnosed condition
Roo Access application
You will complete the application in Roo Access.
Roo Access applications:
- Academic Accommodations
- Immunization/Vaccination Request for Exemption
- Religious Accommodation (no documentation needed)
- Temporary Accommodations (surgery, pregnancy, broken arm, etc.)
- UMKC Housing Accommodation (dietary, emotional support animal)
- Pregnancy (Temporary)
Select the application that best suits your need with your UMKC SSO username and password and include your student ID number. Don't forget to submit your accessibility needs documentation.
Once we receive your application (usually within three to five business days), we will contact your UMKC email to set up a meeting to establish your accommodation plan.
Housing accommodation
If you are applying for accessible housing, you must first sign a housing contract with Residential Life before submitting the UMKC Housing Accommodation application. The priority deadline for new students seeking a housing accommodation plan is March 1st. Please schedule an intake meeting with SAS accordingly.
If applying to request for your emotional support animal to live with you in on-campus housing, you will also fill out the UMKC Housing Accommodation application in Roo Access and provide a completed copy of the Emotional Support Animals in Residential Life Documentation Form. Please note, your emotional support animal may not be on campus without prior approval from Student Accessibility Services.
Renew an Established Accommodation Plan
Your accommodation plan and profile remains active while you are enrolled at UMKC. However, each semester you must log in to Roo Access to request your accommodations for the semester, sign the E-Form Agreements and send notification to your professors. Please avoid requesting multiple accommodation requests. If you have an academic plan and need to request a religious accommodation, please use the Additional Accommodation / Accommodation Adjustment Request button in Roo Access to request another type of accommodation.
Submit additional documentation
If you take a semester or more off, you must contact us to reestablish your plan.
Tips for renewing accommodations each semester or term:
- Enroll in your classes as early as possible
- Request your accommodations in the Roo Access portal
- Digitally sign your E-Form Agreements
- Roo Access will email your Faculty Notification Letters (FNL) to your instructors
- Discuss your accommodation plan with your professors. You are not required to disclose your medical history.
Are You an Instructor?
Learn about the student accommodation plan process, your responsibilities as an instructor and common classroom accommodations.