Initial Steps

1. Schedule an appointment with an AEC access advisor to discuss your disability-related needs and request accommodations.
2. Submit supporting documentation of disability to AEC, as needed. Documentation is encouraged, but not always required. For observable/visible disabilities, documentation may not be required.
   1. Note: Documentation is not required to get connected to the AEC. If there is evidence a student is experiencing disability-related barriers, AEC may be able to establish provisional accommodations for one term while a student gathers documentation. 

Registration Process

1. During an initial meeting:
   1. AEC Access Advisor gathers information about a student’s disability experience, functional limitations, and barriers experienced in the University environment. They will explore possible reasonable accommodations, and discuss the ways in which the requested accommodations would mitigate disability-related barriers. Through this interactive process, the Access Advisor will assess the following:
      1. Does the student have a qualifying disability?
      2. Are functional limitations present related to the disability that substantially limit one or more major life activities that impact them in the University environment (i.e. academics, housing, activities, services, etc.)?
      3. Is there a clear nexus between the requested accommodation(s) and the functional limitations that the student experiences?
         1. Are the requested accommodations logically connected to the impacts of the student's disability and the barriers to access they experience in the academic and/or campus environment?
         2. Are the requested accommodations necessary to provide the student with a disability meaningful access or an equal opportunity to gain the same benefits as their non-disabled peers?
         3. If implemented, would the proposed accommodation be effective in removing the identified barrier to access? Are there other accommodations that would be more effective than the requested accommodation?
2. If AEC has enough information to approve the student’s requested accommodation(s), the Access Advisor and the student will discuss approved accommodations and the process for implementation.
   1. AEC will follow-up with the student with emails that describe what is discussed regarding their approved accommodations, and next steps to request accommodations.
   2. Student can request an AEC Connect Orientation for assistance navigating AEC Connect.
3. If AEC does not have enough information to approve the student’s requested accommodation(s), the Access Advisor will communicate this to the student, as well as what is needed to be reassessed.
4. The AEC access advisor will also share requirements for supporting documentation of disability.

Student’s Self-Report

When a student meets with an AEC access advisor, they will be asked questions about their disability experience, the functional limitations they experience, and the ways that the requested accommodation(s) would mitigate those impacts of disability. Questions may include:

• Do you have a physical or mental condition that meets the legal definition of disability?
  • Legal definition of disability: An individual with a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include (but are not limited to) seeing, hearing, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for oneself, learning, speaking, working, or the operation of a major bodily function.
• Please share information about your disability experience. What functional limitations do you experience? What major life activities are impacted?
• What barriers do you experience or expect to experience in the University environment?
• Have you had accommodations in the past? If so, what has or has not been helpful in providing equitable access?
• What specific accommodation(s) are you requesting?
• Please share information about how the requested accommodation(s) would mitigate impacts or functional limitations of your disability.
• (If we have not yet received documentation, or the documentation does not meet guidelines) Are you working with a health or mental health provider to address the barriers/impacts of your disability? If so, have you had conversations with your provider about your disability-related needs in the university environment?