Welcome to UA Little Rock! The Disability Resource Center (DRC) partners with students to identify and remove barriers to access across the university. We value disability as an essential aspect of the human experience and an integral part of the UA Little Rock campus community.

The DRC collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to promote inclusion, equity, and access in classrooms, online courses, campus spaces, and university services. Whether you have had a disability for many years, recently acquired one, or are unsure whether your experience qualifies as a disability, we encourage you to contact us.

Table of Contents

About the Disability Resource Center

The Disability Resource Center supports access, equity, and belonging across the UA Little Rock campus. While many barriers can be addressed through universal design and proactive accessibility efforts, some students require individualized support to ensure equal access to academic programs, services, and activities.

The DRC works both with individual students and across the institution to reduce barriers and support accessible physical, curricular, and digital environments.

Access, Barriers, and Accommodations

At times, aspects of course instruction, assessment, design, or the learning environment may create barriers to access or to the accurate evaluation of a student’s academic performance. When barriers are identified, the DRC engages in an interactive process with students to explore appropriate support options.

Accommodations are:

  • Individualized
  • Determined on a case-by-case basis
  • Implemented in accordance with university policy and applicable law

Not all requests will result in approved accommodations. Requests may be denied if an accommodation would fundamentally alter an essential requirement of a course or program or pose an undue administrative or academic burden.

Engaging With the DRC: The Interactive Process

Students are encouraged to contact the DRC if they are experiencing, or anticipate experiencing, barriers related to a disability or medical condition.

The interactive process may include:

  • Discussion of the student’s experiences and functional limitations
  • Review of documentation, if requested
  • Exploration of reasonable accommodations or disability-related resources
  • Ongoing communication to address questions, concerns, or changes in need

Documentation may be requested to help determine eligibility and appropriate accommodations.

Steps for Requesting Accommodations

To engage with the Disability Resource Center, students should:

  1. Complete the Online Student Application for Accommodations
  2. Contact the DRC to schedule an appointment with a DRC staff member
  3. Participate in the interactive process to discuss access needs and determine reasonable accommodations or resources.
  4. Submit Faculty Notification Letter requests each semester after accommodations are approved.
  5. Communicate with instructors regarding how approved accommodations will be implemented
  6. Submit additional requests as discussed (e.g., alternate-format materials or communication access services), when applicable
  7. Follow up with the DRC if there are questions, concerns, or changes in access needs

A Note About Timing

Students are responsible for requesting accommodations in advance. The accommodation management system requires 24–48 business hours to retrieve course information from Workday and generate faculty notification letters. Because of this, the DRC cannot guarantee that accommodation requests submitted less than one business day before an exam will be approved or implemented for that assessment.

Faculty Notification Letters

Approved accommodations are communicated to instructors through Faculty Notification Letters. Students are responsible for:

  • Requesting faculty notifications each semester
  • Communicating with instructors about how approved accommodations will be implemented in each course

The DRC is available to assist students and instructors with questions or concerns regarding the implementation of accommodations.

Testing Accommodations

Some students receive testing accommodations such as extended time, reduced-distraction environments, or access to assistive technology. When testing accommodations are approved, many exams are administered through Testing Services.

Testing Services staff will contact students to schedule exams after receiving exam information from faculty.

Student Responsibilities for Testing

Students are responsible for:

  • Requesting Faculty Notification Letters early each semester
  • Communicating with instructors about testing logistics
  • Attending scheduled testing appointments

If you have concerns about the testing environment, notify Testing Services staff as soon as possible.

Planning Ahead Is Important

Testing accommodations cannot always be arranged on short notice. Requests made the day before or on the day of an exam may not be processed in time for that assessment.

Questions About Testing?

  • Contact the Disability Resource Center for accommodation-related questions
  • Contact Testing Services for scheduling or test-day logistics

Accommodations for External Exams

External testing agencies (such as the LSAT, GRE, or NCLEX) have their own documentation requirements for accommodations. Documentation accepted by the DRC may not automatically meet external testing standards. Students are encouraged to review testing agency requirements well in advance of test dates.

Documentation

Documentation may be requested to support the determination of reasonable accommodations or disability-related resources. Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to:

  • Records of prior accommodations
  • Educational plans
  • Medical or clinical information
  • Other relevant materials

Students will be informed if additional documentation is required during the interactive process.

Online Students

Students who reside outside the Little Rock area and are enrolled exclusively in online courses may complete the accommodation process remotely. Appointments can be conducted by phone or online. Students remain responsible for requesting Faculty Notification Letters and communicating with instructors regarding the implementation of accommodations.

Law Students (Bowen School of Law)

Law students should meet with the Associate Dean before exams to coordinate accommodation logistics. Unless otherwise specified, extended testing time is typically time-and-a-half. Exams are graded anonymously in accordance with Bowen School of Law policy.

Academic Adjustments and Course Substitutions

Some students may be eligible for academic adjustments, including course substitutions or waivers, when a disability creates a barrier to a requirement that is not essential to the program of study.

Academic adjustments are reviewed on an individual basis and must follow university policy. Students interested in requesting an academic adjustment or course substitution should contact the DRC early in their educational program.

Assistive Technology and Alternate Formats

The DRC can assist students in accessing assistive or adaptive technology and alternate formats for course materials when appropriate. These supports may include:

  • Digital or alternate-format textbooks
  • Screen reader–compatible materials
  • Large print or Braille formats
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Speech-to-text or communication access services

Advance notice is often required to arrange these services.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights

Students registered with the DRC have the right to:

  • An interactive, individualized review of accommodation requests
  • Confidential handling of disability-related information
  • Reasonable accommodations, when appropriate, in accordance with law and policy
  • Clear information about policies, procedures, and decisions
  • An established process to address concerns regarding accommodations

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for:

  • Initiating contact with the DRC and participating in the interactive process
  • Providing documentation when requested
  • Requesting Faculty Notification Letters each semester as needed
  • Communicating with instructors regarding approved accommodations
  • Notifying the DRC if accommodations are not effective or if needs change
  • Following university policies and procedures

Universal Design and Accessibility

The DRC supports campus-wide accessibility efforts and promotes Universal Design as a proactive approach to reducing barriers. While universal design benefits many students, it does not replace the need for individualized accommodations for some students.

The DRC collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus partners to support accessible physical, curricular, and digital environments.

For more information, visit the Universal Design and Accessibility hub.  (Link to be added.)

Complaints and Grievance Procedures

If you have concerns about the accommodation process or its implementation, please contact the DRC. If concerns remain unresolved, students may access the university’s formal grievance process through the DRC grievance policy.

In Conclusion

We are pleased that you chose to pursue your education at UA Little Rock. The Disability Resource Center looks forward to collaborating with you throughout your academic journey and supporting access, inclusion, and student success.

DRC Mission

These are the DRC Core Values, Mission Statement, and Vision Statement that were revised in Spring 2013.