How to Prepare for your Access Planning Meeting
- Complete steps in Getting Started
- Learn about Disability Resources for Students
- Review students rights and responsibilities
- Understand what is an accommodation, what is not and how to use your accommodations
- Explore the myDRS system and how to request your approved accommodations each quarter
Participate in the Access Planning Meeting
The purpose of the Access Planning Meeting is to engage in an interactive process to discuss with a DRS Coordinator submitted documentation and a student’s experience living with a disability. The goal will be to identify appropriate accommodations and/or auxiliary aids that can be implemented to create equal access in the areas where there are barriers caused by a disability. When accommodations are established, the DRS Coordinator will share how each accommodation is requested and facilitated on a quarterly basis.
Academic accommodations will be approved on a case by case basis and are individually designed to create equal access for a student. They can be approved on a provisional, temporary and/permanent basis by DRS, and additional accommodations can be requested/reviewed as a student progresses through their academic pursuits at the university.
What to do after the Access Planning Meeting
Step 1: Review your DRS Student Eligibility Letter (SEL)
Step 2: Log into myDRS portal and request approved accommodations. Each quarter, students are responsible for making accommodations requests through myDRS in a timely manner as outlined in the Services Request Timeline. Here is a link to the myDRS Student Guide for complete steps and information.
- Faculty notification letters are released starting 5 business days before each quarter
- Some accommodations require faculty and/or departmental consultation before than can be fully implemented. Your DRS Coordinator will partner with you and the course faculty on these specific accommodations.
Step 3: Communicate with each course faculty/TA/coordinator. Once faculty notifications letters are released each quarter students need to connect with each of their faculty, TA or coordinator to discuss details related to how accommodations could be facilitated in each course.
Step 4: Communicate with DRS regarding any questions or concerns. The DRS staff is dedicated to ensuring the provision of approved accommodations and auxiliary aids. The UW is big campus and there may be many individuals involved in the process of getting accommodations in place. If a student experiences any difficulties in obtaining or receiving accommodations, or if any additional accommodations are needed, please follow-up with their DRS Coordinator right away for assistance.
Step 5: Follow up with DRS Coordinator if you have any questions or concerns as you attend courses, or for any of these additional reasons below
- Review the renewal process for provisional or temporary accommodations
- Review process for requesting additional accommodations
- Discuss needs for accommodations beyond the classroom, such as
- Clinicals, Clerkships & Internships
- Field courses & Field trips
- Study Abroad experiences & excursions
Additional information on working with DRS
Privacy: All information documentation submitted to the DRS office is kept separate from an academic record and is considered private under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). DRS can not guarantee confidentiality as they may be times when sharing some information in necessary in the facilitation of the accommodation process.
Release of Information: Students will need to submit an “Information Release Consent” in myDRS if they would like their DRS Coordinator to discuss disability accommodations with a family member, healthcare provider, or other non UW staff. This can also be completed in myDRS, click here for the myDRS Student Guide. For students not yet working with DRS you can complete the online Release of Information.
Transition Resources: For more information on transitioning to the University of Washington, DRS office, please visit the Transition Resources webpage.
Access Planning Meeting Files
