What resources are available for graduate students with disabilities?
The Graduate Student Affairs Office is dedicated to helping all graduate students at the University of Michigan with the resources they need to be academically and personally successful. As part of this mission, we seek to provide information and resources to students based on their different gifts, abilities and backgrounds.
New and Current Students
As a graduate student with a disability you may experience some unique challenges while pursuing your degree. Rackham wants you to know that there are resources here to promote success in your academic and subsequent career. Below we have listed some of the resources that may be helpful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further questions or if we can help in any way.
Academic Accommodations for Graduate Students with Disabilities
The University of Michigan is committed to ensuring that graduate students receive appropriate reasonable accommodations so that all students are supported in all aspects of their educational experience, including their employment related to their graduate education. There are a number of campus resources available to help graduate students with disabilities navigate the accommodation process. If you are a graduate student who has been diagnosed with a disability, or who believes that you may have a disability requiring accommodation, and would like to explore formal and informal options for obtaining academic or appointment-related employment, contact any of the resources listed below.
New and Current Students
As a graduate student with a disability you may experience some unique challenges while pursuing your degree. Rackham wants you to know that there are resources to promote success in your academic and subsequent career. Below we have listed some of the resources that may be helpful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further questions or if we can help in any way.
Rackham Graduate School has a Disability Coordinator designated to assist graduate students with disabilities (including GSIs, GSSAs, GSRAs or graduate students with temporary hourly appointments) seeking guidance about the accommodation process, campus resources, or to request accommodations. The graduate student Disability Coordinator (Rackham Disability Coordinator) in Rackham Graduate School is available for graduate students in all schools, colleges and professional programs and provides procedural assistance and information on matters pertaining to disabilities and the accommodation process. Students with disabilities may contact Darlene Ray-Johnson, the Rackham Disability Coordinator via e-mail at rayj@umich.edu or by phone at (734) 936-1647 to set up a confidential appointment to discuss accommodation guidelines, available services, request accommodations, and to assist you with arranging appropriate reasonable accommodations with your appointing unit.
Each of the graduate schools within the University has an administrative designee who works with faculty and staff to facilitate access to appropriate reasonable accommodations. You may contact the administrative designee for information about campus resources, to request an accommodation, or to seek assistance if you are having difficulty with the implementation of an accommodation.
The Graduate Student Reasonable Accommodation Request Form and Health Care Provider Release Form are available online, from the Rackham Disability Coordinator, or administrative designee in the appointing school or college.
Special Considerations for Graduate Students with Psychological Disabilities
Graduate students with psychological disabilities confront unique challenges for academic success. It is therefore important that you seek appropriate accommodations. Please note that a mental disorder in or of itself does not necessarily constitute a disability. Before accommodations can be obtained, it is required that you have your condition evaluated by a mental health professional.
It is advisable that you seek this evaluation as soon as possible to enable a timely receipt of support and services.
For specific information on obtaining disability-related evaluations and services, consult the SSWD handbook or contact SSWD at (734) 763-3000.
Additional Mental Health-related Resources
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- Psychological Clinic
- Outpatient Psychiatry
- Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
- SOS Community Crisis Center
- (After Hours) U-M Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES)
Phone: (734) 996-4747
Considerations for Accommodations for Research Sites and Qualifying or Preliminary Exams
Graduate students with disabilities should also consider the type and nature of the research that you may be doing either independently or with a supervising faculty member. This could include-but is not limited to-a thesis or dissertation. Some of these situations may require accommodations. Be sure to discuss these needs early with your faculty supervisor and SSWD staff.
In the case of extraordinary exam situations such as comprehensive, qualifying, and preliminary exams, graduate students should begin well in advance of the exam date to pursue appropriate accommodations for that unique testing situation. This might include:
- Working with committee and faculty members in advance to determine possibilities for accommodations.
- Corresponding with SSWD regarding accommodation options.
Appeal Process
- Every school and college has a special internal grievance procedure for students to use in cases of possible discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment by a faculty or non-instructional staff member. Information about these procedures may be obtained internally from the school or college.
- Students may discuss concerns of discrimination or discriminatory harassment by a faculty or staff member with OIE staffs from the Office of Institutional Equity if they are employees of the University of Michigan.
- Students may also consult with the Academic and Staff HR Services Office.
- Students who experience discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment by students may consult with the Office of Student Conflict Resolution.
Staff and Faculty
If, in addition to being a graduate student, you are also U-M faculty or staff, there are specific accommodations, such as accessible course materials and website design. It is recommended that you examine the general list of accommodations at the SSWD website.
Other Useful Resources
- The Faculty and Staff Handbook (PDF)
- The Office of Institutional Equity (for ADA Coordinator and Accommodations)
- The Adaptive Technology Computing Site
- Accessible Course Materials and Web Design
- The Center for Research on Teaching and Learning
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