Student Disability Services

Michigan Tech is supportive of instructors who chose to utilize Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices such as providing extended time on quizzes, tests, and exams for the entire class as a way to remove time constraints or barriers for students.

• Instructors should be communicating to the entire class that they are using Universal Design (UDL) practices so that all students are aware of this practice (e.g. “This test was designed to be completed in 45 minutes. To relieve time pressures, I am giving everyone 90 minutes to complete the test.”).
• Students who utilize disability accommodations must be provided their accommodations in addition to this practice (in the example above, if they have a 2x accommodation, they must receive 3 hours to complete the test).
• A student using an accommodation may choose not to use their accommodation if they feel the extended time given to the entire class is sufficient.
• If instructors choose to use Universal Design (UDL) practices, it would be appropriate to include this information on their syllabi in addition to making announcements to the class before each quiz, test, or exam. 

Michigan Tech is committed to ensuring that all qualified individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to take part in educational programs and services on an equal basis. The aim is to provide this opportunity in an integrated setting that fosters independence and meets the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Student Disability Policy.

We offer many accommodations for students who provide supporting documentation of a disability. These range from accommodations in the classroom to special software on all computers in the library. Review a list of these accommodations.  Read our Guide to Setting Up Your Accommodations.

Faculty who are looking for detailed descriptions of classroom accommodations can find them separately through our online definitions.

Please fill out the Student Disability Services Accommodation Request Form, and upload all documentation you have to this form. If you cannot attach your documentation, please email sds@mtu.edu or fax to 906-487-3530. We will accept psychological evaluations, 504 plans, IEP, or notes from a healthcare professional that you have an established relationship with, preferably on the letterhead, with their signature and credentials. For information about our documentation policy, please review the Student Disability Policy and information about Documenting a Disability. Failure to register a disability with the Student Disability office in a timely manner will lead to delays in receiving services. If you have any questions, email sds@mtu.edu or call 906-487-3558.

For students with the accommodation of "Chronic Medical Absences", they can receive up to 4  excused absences per class for each semester, except for labs and other classes that only meet once a week, they will be allowed 2 absences per class for each semester.

For all other absences, please refer to the Dean of Students for their absence policy.

For documenting Emotional Support Animals (ESA) or Service Animals (SA), please read the ESA/SA guide and use the following forms:

• ESA
• Service Animal