Graduate Student Frequently Asked Questions

Students with disabilities must register with Disability Services and request accommodations by submitting an Application for Accommodations, scheduling an access meeting and submitting documentation as early as possible. The four step process can be found here. For additional questions about the registration process, academic support offered, or additional services provided by Disability Services, an Information Session may be scheduled by contacting 303-492-8671 or dsinfo@colorado.edu.

No, academic accommodations apply to all students at CU Boulder, including graduate students.

While that’s possible, academic accommodations are individualized for each student’s situation based on the demonstrated need that results from the impact of one’s disability.

Academic accommodations are individualized to each student and their academic responsibilities. Graduate students often participate in a wide variety of assistantships and professional opportunities outside of the traditional classroom that are often unavailable to undergraduate and non-degree seeking students. More specifically, because graduate study can include responsibilities such as teaching, research in labs or the field, or could be connected with grants, some accommodations, like a reduced course load or adjusting the pace of a program, require careful planning and communication to assess and determine what is reasonable and to avoid fundamental alteration to a student’s academic progress.

A wide variety of services and resources are available to all students including academic resources, health and wellness support, diversity and inclusion, and many more. After registering with Disability Services, an access coordinator would be happy to address specific questions and concerns about available resources and accommodation support.

Just like student needs, academic requirements can vary from class to class and program to program; therefore, accommodation requests are assessed individually for need and reasonableness. While academic accommodations may be available for an oral presentation, written, exam and other types of comps, access coordinators will need to consult with students with disabilities about their specific needs, classes, comps, exams and other academic requirements to determine what accommodations may be available and necessary.

Disability Services does not disclose disability accommodation information to future employers, unless the student has specifically requested and consented to Disability Services providing that information or Disability Services becomes legally required to disclose it, such as in response to a court order or subpoena.

Working with and through the assigned Access Coordinator at Disability Services is the most appropriate and best first step in identifying potential accommodations needed for participation in any program. After an accommodation is approved, the Access Coordinators support students through the implementation process and address any questions or concerns students may have.