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Available Services for Students with Disabilities
Academic accommodations are determined for each student on an individual basis. It is important to remember that the diagnostically documented effects of the disability must support recommended accommodations. Following are the primary services provided by DSS and an overview of the various types of accommodations we provide. Please remember that this list of services and accommodations is not all-inclusive.
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Pre-Admission Inquiries and Consultation
DSS will answer general questions you have about UWT that may help you decide if your needs can be met on our campus and whether we can provide that which you are looking for in a college. If you have questions regarding your academic qualifications for admission (vist UWT's Enrollment Services page for more information), we will direct you to a pre-admission advisor through our Enrollment Services Office, please visit their page devoted to Academic Advising for more information. Our pre-admission advisors are happy to work with you in planning strategies for meeting the University of Washington Tacoma enrollment requirements, as well as your academic goals once admitted to UWT.
In accordance with the law (Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), the University of Washington (Seattle
, Tacoma and Bothell) does not ask on its application for admission whether a student has a disability. By law, this question is illegal. However, if you have questions regarding whether to personally disclose information about your disability during the application process, please contact the DSS Office.
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Accommodations
After you have been admitted to the University and have submitted acceptable documentation of your disability, we will meet with you to determine your eligibility for DSS services and work with you to establish appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Accommodations provided by DSS include, but are not limited to:
| What Is Adaptive Technology? |
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| "Adaptive technology is the name for products which help people who cannot use regular versions of products, primarily people with physical disabilities such as blindness, deafness and inability to walk or use arms" |
| Adaptive Technology on Campus |
UWT has computer stations on campus with adaptive technology software installed on them. They are located in:
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Students may request to have adaptive technology software installed in classroom computers when needed for specific classes. Please contact the DSS Office to make this request. |
- Adaptive technology (see table at right)
- Alternative print format:
- audio-tape
- enlarged print
- Braille
- e-text
- Alternative testing services:
- quiet testing locations
- scribes
- use of computers
- additional time
- Assistive listening devices (FM Systems)
- Classroom relocations
- Culture course substitution for foreign language requirements
- Early/Priority registration
- Library and Lab assistants
- Note-taking
- Disability Parking (for further information, please see our page on about Physical Access)
- Real-time captioning
- Sign Language Interpreters
- Special needs classrooms (including computer labs). We offer assistance in getting the appropriate furniture and auxiliary aids to meet your DSS accommodations.
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Advocacy and Consultation
The DSS Manager is available to consult with students, staff and faculty regarding how to best meet students' disability-related needs, and will support students in their self-advocacy efforts toward this goal. DSS is also a resource for providing information to the campus community and general public about federal and state disability laws that protect students with disabilities from discrimination and ensure equal access to campus programs and facilities. Please visit the Department of Justice webpage on "Disabilty Rights Laws" . For your convenience we have provided a link to a printable version 
.
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Resources and Referrals
DSS has an extensive list of campus and community resources available for students with disabilities and other interested individuals. We make referrals as necessary.
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Services and Accommodations Not Provided
The University does not provide services or accommodations that are of a personal nature such as personal attendants or prescriptive aids, e.g., eyeglasses or hearing aids. The University also does not provide diagnostic evaluations of disabilities. The student is responsible for providing diagnostic evaluations in accordance with the University's policies and stated needs at their own expense (for further information about "Documentation Requirements," visit our page on Required Diagnostic Documentation). Finally, there are certain accommodations such as personal tutoring, which are not provided at the University of Washington Tacoma, but may be provided at other colleges. Since the University does not provide personal tutoring more broadly to all students on the campus, it is not obligated to provide personal tutoring to students with disabilities.
It is important to determine what types of services and accommodations are provided at the colleges and universities you are interested in attending so you can ensure your disability-related needs will be met.
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