The Graduate College is committed to promoting access, equity, and inclusion and to creating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all of our graduate students that reflects the varied perspectives and lived experiences of our world. Graduate Students with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the programs, services, and activities of the University of Illinois.
Students can request disability accommodations for their academic program through Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES). Many graduate students are also employed by the university; workplace accommodations are provided through the Office of Access and Equity (OAE). These processes are separate and can be started concurrently. The ADA Coordinator works with campus partners to coordinate the university’s accessibility and compliance efforts, and can be contacted with questions about disability rights for students and employees. Find more information below about each of these resources.
Resources
Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES)
Graduate students with disabilities who seek to request reasonable accommodations in order to receive equal access to their academic environment should contact Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) in order to receive accommodations. DRES works with students to facilitate academic accommodations, mental health counseling, transportation, academic coaching, wellness programs, and career services.
To obtain disability accommodations and services through DRES, students must first be admitted and have a NetID. Graduate students can apply online on the DRES site and then submit appropriate documentation by uploading with their application or via mail or fax.
To enhance the obtainment of aids or accommodations by the start of a semester, the student or prospective student who believes they will need accommodation to have access to participate in course work must complete and submit the DRES application above and submit appropriate documentation to DRES as soon as possible, preferably before the start of classes. Disability can manifest at any point during a student’s academic experience. Thus, students can request disability accommodations at any time during the academic calendar. For questions, please contact DRES by phone at 217-333-1970 or by emailing disability@illinois.edu.
DRES FAQ
I’m an incoming student, when should I contact DRES?
When a student accepts their admission to the University of Illinois, they will be able to access our online application to apply for services. Prior to that, Access Specialists are happy to meet with students for informational meetings so they can inquire about supports available at Illinois, which can be helpful as prospective students compare what different institutions offer.
Can I only request disability accommodations at the start of the semester?
Students may request disability accommodations at any time of the year. While we recommend that students register with us before their courses start, a disability and documentation of such can occur at any time. Students with disabilities can also experience barriers throughout the time courses are in session. Accommodations are active from the date the Letter of Accommodations is presented to the teaching staff forward. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively.
Do I need to contact someone at DRES before I submit a request?
It varies. Many submit a request without consultation first, which is absolutely fine. By submitting the online application, the student will be connected with an Access Specialist who can meet with the student to discuss their request. If students have any questions about what services are available at Illinois, they are encouraged to reach out to DRES in advance, so they can make an informed decision. Conversations before enrollment often include information about what resources are available at Illinois, which can differ from institution to institution, as well as discuss the resources a student has used previously, which can help guide how accommodations are facilitated in the future.
I anticipate needing academic and employment disability accommodations. Should I start at DRES or OAE?
For students that have both an academic and an employment relationship with the University, they can engage in both DRES and OAE’s process. DRES will review access needs in the student’s program and OAE will review their employment responsibilities to identify accommodations. Students can pursue both at the same time. DRES and OAE are independent of one another; no records are shared across DRES and OAE, in absence of a formal release.
Office of Access and Equity (OAE)
Graduate Students who serve in an assistantship or other paid role on campus will work through the Office of Access and Equity (OAE) to request workplace disability accommodations. Full information about services can be found at the OAE website.
OAE services for graduate student employees (and for any other employees) include accommodations based on disability*, as well as pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related conditions, and also religious accommodations.
*Disability includes a wide range of physical, mobility, sensory, neurological, and psychological conditions that an individual may or may not personally regard as a “disability”, but are still covered under our policy.
New or current students may submit a request at any time , even before receiving a NetID. If you have questions about how to complete the form, contact our case manager at accessibility@illinois.edu or (217) 333-0885 option #1.
OAE engages in an interactive process with the graduate student, the supervisor, and relevant human resources colleagues to identify an accommodation that will be effective. Information about accommodation requests is shared on a “need-to-know” basis.
If you are seeking accommodations for an upcoming assistantship or other employment role that has not begun yet, you can still initiate the process. OAE will receive and review your documentation and meet with you to discuss the kinds of accommodations you are seeking.
If you know what position you will have and who your supervisor will be, OAE can connect with them before you have started in the position. In some cases, OAE may be able to have accommodations in place before you start, but this is not guaranteed in all cases. Contacting OAE early is always recommended.
Because not all accommodations are equally effective in every assistantship position or other employment role you may have, it is important to work with the OAE office, your program, and your supervisors to ensure that the necessary accommodations will be in place if you move between positions during your time here.
OAE’s services are provided pursuant to the university’s Reasonable Accommodations Policy. Please see the Procedures and Forms page for more information about the process. If you have questions, please reach out at accessibility@illinois.edu or (217) 333-0885 option #1.
ADA Coordinator
The ADA Coordinator works with campus partners to coordinate the university’s accessibility and compliance efforts under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other state and federal disability laws. Contact the ADA Coordinator if you have questions about your disability rights as a student or employee, if you would like to report a physical or digital accessibility barrier on campus, or if you have concerns that your academic accommodations are not being properly implemented. You can reach the ADA Coordinator at adacoordinator@illinois.edu or 217-300-8670.