An accommodation is any change or adjustment to a process, policy, or practice in an academic or workplace environment, that allows an individual with a disability to equitable access to perform their job duties or meet their academic requirements. Accommodations may also be available to ensure equal access to the benefits, services, and resources offered to employees or students as part of their employment or academic programs. Reasonable accommodations are available to students, faculty, staff, applicants for employment, admission, and visitors at the University of Michigan.
Qualified Individuals
In certain settings, like in employment and education, individuals with a disability who have the qualifications required to participate in an academic program or to perform a specific job may receive reasonable accommodations to allow them equal access to the program or job and the services and benefits associated with it. At the university, a qualified individual may be:
Faculty: Tenured, non-tenured, lecturers, research, clinical staff, etc.
Staff: Temporary, probationary, student-staff, etc.
Students: Undergraduate, graduate, online, transfer, etc.
The university must also provide reasonable accommodations to guests and visitors, participants in programs or activities offered by the university, and patients of the university’s medical system.
Faculty & Staff Accommodations
Examples of potential faculty and staff accommodations may include:
Modifications to the workplace environment or alternative equipment, such as an adjustable height desk, ergonomic chair, noise-canceling headphones, etc.
Modifications to work schedule, including flexible start and/or end times, altering a break schedule, additional breaks, or using a hybrid schedule.
Speech-to-text software, executive functioning applications like time management software, note-taking software, and receiving meeting materials and agendas before and after meetings.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) (live-human captioning).
For more information on workplace accommodations or to request an accommodation, visit the Workplace Accommodations page.
Student Accommodations
Examples of student accommodations may include:
Reduced distraction testing environments.
Assistive technology, including screen readers, braille displays, adaptive keyboards, and speech recognition software.
Additional time to take tests, occasional absences, and receiving course materials in advance.
Use of ASL Interpretation and CART captioning.
Paratransit services to/from a student’s residence hall to classes.
Shower grab bars in a residence hall bathroom.
Close proximity to a residence hall shared restroom.
For more information about student accommodations, academic accommodations appeals process, and student employment accommodations visit theStudents page.
Visitor Accommodations
Examples of visitor accommodations may include:
ASL interpretation and CART (live-human captioning).
Paratransit services.
Stadium seatback accommodations.
Accessible parking.
U-M event attendees and campus visitors can request accommodations. VisitCampus Visitors & Events to learn more.
FAQ
What are accommodations?
An accommodation is any change or adjustment to a process, policy, or practice in an academic or workplace environment, that allows an individual with a disability to equitable access to perform their job duties or meet their academic requirements. Accommodations may also be available to ensure equal access to the benefits, services, and resources offered to employees or students as part of their employment or academic programs.
Some examples of potential accommodations might include:
Employment accommodations
Student academic accommodations
Parking accommodations
How do I request a disability-related accommodation?
Workplace, academic, and event-related disability accommodations are available to students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors, including event attendees and patients.
Employees
Employees seeking long term (more than six months) workplace accommodations can learn more about the Interactive Process: Determining Reasonable Workplace Accommodations for more information or use U-M Employees Accommodate Login to submit a request.
Employees returning to work from a medical leave or employees seeking temporary (less than six months) accommodations should contact Work Connections.
Michigan Medicine Employees
Michigan Medicine faculty can request workplace accommodations using the U-M Accommodate Employee Login to submit a request.
Campus visitors, including those attending an event, should contact event organizers or venue management to arrange accommodations.
Patients
Patients of Michigan Medicine are directed to contact their care provider or clinic to request accommodations prior to any appointments. The U-M Center for Disability Health and Wellness offers assistance for easy access to Michigan Medicine clinical facilities for people with disabilities.
