Services
The Disability Resource Center provides the following services to students at the University of Kentucky.
Click on a service for more information.
Consultation Services
The Consultants at the Disability Resource Center seek to facilitate an environment of inclusion and accessibility for students with disabilities to ensure receive equal opportunity and access to education and campus activities at the University of Kentucky. The DRC consultants will meet with students one-on-one to discuss his or her needs and how to be successful at UK. This may result in the student receiving accommodation letters, accommodated test-taking services, alternative text services, community resource linkage, captioning and interpreting services, service animal registration, temporary disability services, or transitional services into the workforce. Consultation services are also available to faculty to assist in answering specific questions regarding recommended accommodations, student issues, alternative text for class materials, creating an inclusive classroom environment for students with disabilities and how to incorporate principles of universal design into the educational experience. Consultation services are available year round at not cost. Instructions to set up an appointment to meet with a consultant are provided here.
Accommodated Test Proctoring Services
The DRC serves as a resource to faculty to assist in providing accommodated test proctoring services. Possible accommodations can include:
- extended time during test-taking
- taking exams in a low-distraction environment
- taking exams in a private room
- use of a screen reading program during testing (i.e., Jaws, Kurzweil)
- use of a scribe/reader during testing
Other test-taking options may be approved by the DRC consultant.
Because of space limitations, the DRC encourages examinations and quizzes be provided in the instructor's department or college when possible.
Alternative Textbook and Course Materials
The DRC assists students obtain alternative text and course materials. Students requesting accommodated textbooks or course materials should contact Susan Fogg, coordinator. Students are encouraged to make the request as soon as their schedule is completed. Students are required to provide a copy of their purchase receipt to receive the copy of the alternative textbook. For other course materials, such as articles or book chapters, please allow two weeks for requests to be processed.
Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing
The DRC provides various services to student who are deaf or hard of hearing. The can include sign language interpreters, real time captioning services (CART), and note takers. Questions regarding these services, or any other applicable Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services should be directed to DRC Consultant Susan Fogg. For students needing sign language interpreter or real time transcription services (CART), it is important to follow these steps to ensure the timely delivery of services:
- Register with the DRC as early as possible to allow adequate time for planning.
- Register for courses during the priority registration period.
- Provide the DRC Consultant with a copy of a class schedule as as soon as possible.
- Speak with the DRC Consultant to discuss interpreter needs for your classes.
- Notify the DRC Consultant of any changes in the semester schedule.
- Inform the Interpreter/Transcriber and the DRC Consultant of any absences, cancellations or delays to the daily class schedule. An Interpreter/Transcriber will wait twenty minutes before leaving class or an appointment.
Service and Comfort Animal Registration
Students with a Service Animal will need to be able to verbally confirm the dog is trained to perform a particular skill to assist an individual with a disability and indicate the specific function that is performed. S Students are responsible for ensuring all veterinarian recommended vaccinations are completed and documented. The University of Kentucky reserves the right to request an updated verification at any time during the animal’s residency. The service animal or service animal in training designation indicates the animal is allowed in all university facilities open to students. All service animals must remain attended and controlled, in the immediate vicinity of an owner or handler, and either on a harness, leash, or tether.
The university may prohibit the use of service animals or animals in training in certain locations due to health or safety restrictions, where service animals may be in danger, or where their use may compromise the integrity of research or cause health issues. The Disability Resource Center can assist handlers in identifying restricted areas.
Students with Emotional Support Animals will need to provide documentation from a qualified professional of the specific condition the animal is assisting and that the animal is a required aspect of treatment for this particular condition. Upon qualification by the DRC, students will be given an identification card which permits the student to have an Emotional Support Animal in the residence halls. Only one animal per student is permissible. The card will be valid for one academic year. The Emotional Support Animal designation indicates the animal is allowed in the residence hall are permitted in the student's room and in the common area of the suite style rooms. They are not permitted in study rooms, laundry facilities, dining halls or other campus buildings. Comfort animals, other than dogs, must be caged/crated while transported in or out of the residence hall. The university reserves the right to establish time limits regarding when students can request to bring Emotional Support Animals.
Students with either Emotional Support of Service Animals are responsible for properly containing and disposing of all animal waste. Students are responsible for assuring the animal does not unduly interfere with the routine operation of campus or residence hall activities, or cause difficulties for students who reside there. Sensitivity to residents with allergies and to those who fear animals is important to ensure a community where all are able to participate. Students are expected to work cooperatively with Residence Life and other UK staff to resolve conflicts that might arise due to the presence of the animal.
The student is financially responsible for the actions of the animal that cause or result in bodily injury or property damage. This includes, but is not limited to, any liabilities or costs associated with any injury resulting from a bite or scratch and any replacement of furniture, carpet, window or wall covering as well as cleaning costs considered above the typical cleaning provided for rooms.
Temporary Disability Services
Students who encounter a temporary injury or illness that significantly impacts their ability to function may be eligible for accommodations. Adjustments such as temporary accessible parking and housing accommodations may be necessary. Students anticipating surgery that will result in a temporary impairment are also eligible for services through the DRC. The DRC encourages meeting with a consultant prior to the surgery to discuss the various options available and to develop a plan for the provision of accommodations with faculty members and other departments at UK. Students in need of Temporary Disability Services can complete the online intake form and select "Temporary Disability" in the Disability Section or contact the office to schedule an appointment to meet with a Consultant.
Workforce Recruitment Program
The University of Kentucky Disability Center participates in the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), which is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Diversity Management & Equal Opportunity (ODMEO) manage the program, which continues to be successful with the participation of many other federal agencies and sub-agencies. Since the program's expansion in 1995, over 6,000 students and recent graduates have received temporary and permanent employment opportunities through the WRP. For more information please contact the DRC or visit the website: https://wrp.gov.
Door to Door Transportation Services
The UKDRC has partnered with the UK Parking and Transportation services to coordinate a door to door transportation service for students with temporary and permanent mobility impairments. The service is available to students within a 1/2 mile radius of campus to assist them in reaching their classes and other on campus required activities. Because this is a scheduled service, it make take 1-2 days to coordinate the route, so please contact the DRC as soon as possible to get the process initiated.