On this page:
- Application Process
- Timelines for Applying
- What is an Access Consultant?
- Accommodations FAQ
- Eligibility and Documentation
- Undiagnosed Student Resources
- Temporary Conditions
- Examples of Accommodations
- Training for Students with Accommodations
- Rights and Responsibilities as a Student
- Next Steps After Being Found Eligible
- Orientation (SOAR) and Placement Test Accommodations
Introduction
To receive disability-related accommodations as a student through the McBurney Center, you will first need to apply for accommodations by completing the online student application. Documentation is not needed to start the process or submit the online application. If you have questions prior to starting, you can contact the front desk. After you submit an online application, you will be able to discuss any specific questions or concerns with your Access Consultant.
3-Step Application Process
Applying for accommodations is typically a three-step process for incoming and currently enrolled UW-Madison students.
1. Apply online.
- Complete the “McBurney Connect Online Student Application” as early as possible.
- A UW-Madison NetID is required to start the accommodations application.
- Documentation of your disability is not required to start the process, but you can choose to upload it now as part of online the application.
- After submitting your online application, you will receive a confirmation email. Please contact us if you have questions.
2. Schedule your initial meeting.
- You will receive an email from your assigned Access Consultant asking you to schedule a meeting with them. (If you do not receive an email within 5 business days of submitting, check your junk mail and then contact us.)
- This meeting is a conversation with your Access Consultant, either in-person, by phone, or by video conference, where you discuss your accommodation requests, accommodation history, and the impact of your conditions.
3. Submit documentation.
- Gather copies of the necessary disability-related documentation, preferably from within the last 3–5 years.
- You can upload documentation directly into McBurney Connect (including after you have submitted your online application), or you can send documentation to the office fax at (608) 265-2998.
- If you do not yet have a formal diagnosis, consult the information for undiagnosed students.
Timelines for Applying
Ideally, incoming fall students should request accommodations by June 30 to ensure they can complete the application process, receive training, and submit timely accommodation requests by the start of fall classes. You should still submit your application if this date has passed, but be aware that arranging accommodations takes time, and accommodations are not provided retroactively. We process applications as they are submitted on a rolling basis throughout the year, so you can request accommodations at any time.
If you are requesting housing accommodations for the fall term, please apply for accommodations by April 1 so that we can finalize your eligibility and communicate needs to Housing prior to May 1. Housing requests received after this date are not guaranteed and subject to availability.
Even if you are unsure whether you will be using or needing accommodations, you can establish eligibility now so that accommodations can be implemented more quickly should you need them later.
What is an Access Consultant?
An Access Consultant is a member of our professional staff who determines eligibility for disability accommodations. Additionally, they help students navigate the process of requesting accommodations, verify documentation, communicate with instructors if necessary, and advocate for the student’s needs.
In short, they are a key part of the accommodation and approval process available to work with you one-on-one. They will be your main point of contact at the McBurney Center, and they can answer any questions or address any concerns you might have at any point in the process.
Accommodations FAQ
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
What is a disability?
A disability, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This can also include a history or record of such an impairment, or being perceived by others as having such an impairment, even if the person does not actually have a disability.
Who qualifies for accommodations?
In short, those with a disability substantial enough for it to impair their access to education are eligible for reasonable accommodations through the university. These determinations are made on an individualized basis after a comprehensive conversation with your Access Consultant and after submitting the appropriate documentation. Having a diagnosis alone does not guarantee approval for an accommodation. Consult the information on eligibility and documentation for more information.
What accommodations are available?
While we do provide a non-exhaustive list of accommodations examples for students who qualify, the eligibility process is important, and not all of these accommodations are available to all students. Students are approved for accommodations on an individualized basis after a conversation with their Access Consultant about the barriers they are experiencing in their education and submitting the appropriate documentation.
What happens if I apply for accommodations?
After you apply, your Access Consultant will reach out to you to arrange your initial meeting. From there, they will support you throughout the rest of the process. Starting your application with the McBurney Center is completely confidential, as is all the information shared with us, and your instructor is not informed at this point in the process.
What kind of approach is taken when approving accommodations?
Access Consultants work together with students using a holistic and interactive approach toward determining eligibility for accommodations. Our staff will get to know you and your background to better understand any barriers you are experiencing. The context of a barrier, the intended outcome of the accommodation, medical history, and student input are all important pieces toward granting a student reasonable access to education.
Do I need to reapply for accommodations every semester?
Once you complete our eligibility process, you remain eligible for those accommodations throughout your academic career at UW-Madison for all of your applicable courses. Should you experience new symptoms or impacts, your Access Consultant may request additional documentation to make a determination on any new accommodations added to your plan.
You will need to request your accommodations through McBurney Connect and send Student Accommodation Letters each semester for each course you elect to use them in. This process is covered in our selecting accommodations training resources.
Eligibility and Documentation
Reasonable accommodations are available to students who are experiencing a substantial barrier to their education and are able to provide the necessary documentation for a disability. UW-Madison follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for approving student accommodations. Eligibility for specific accommodations is evaluated based on the barrier a student is experiencing, and those approvals are made on an individualized basis through conversations with an Access Consultant.
Documentation will depend on your diagnosis. While documentation is not needed to start and submit an application, it is a necessary step to complete the eligibility process. Connect with your Access Consultant to discuss what kind of documentation you will need.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Necessary Documentation by Disability Type
| Disability Type | Appropriate Documentation to Submit to McBurney |
|---|---|
| Learning Disability | Most recent psychoeducational evaluation (within last 3–5 years preferred);
and/or IEP/504 plan containing information about the disabling condition (See also Learning Disability Documentation Guidelines page for additional information.) |
| AD/HD | AD/HD Disability Assessment Form
A recent psychoeducational evaluation (within the last 3 years for high school students and the last 5 years for adults) with test analysis and interpretation may be submitted in lieu of the AD/HD Disability Assessment Form. |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health | Psychiatric Disability Assessment Form |
| Deaf/Hard of Hearing | General Disability Assessment Form plus an audiological evaluation and/or audiogram, no older than 3 years if loss is progressive |
| Mobility, Systemic, or Health-Related Disabilities | General Disability Assessment Form |
| Low Vision or Blindness | General Disability Assessment Form and vision exam/evaluation report from an appropriate eye care professional, such as an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or low vision specialist |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | General Disability Assessment Form
A recent neuropsychological assessment (within the last 3 years for high school students and the last 5 years for adults) with test analysis and interpretation may also be required. |
Undiagnosed Student Resources
Contact your preferred clinic or service provider for more information about services, fees, appointment availability, and possibility of insurance coverage. Although we are not associated with them directly, we keep a list of potential service providers students might use, found below. You should confirm that the provider or clinic can assess your specific concern and that they are able to provide diagnoses.
If you have questions about finding a provider or what is needed for documentation, contact our transition team.
For uninsured and insured students, University Health Services provides information on navigating insurance information and has care managers available to help navigate coverage and providers.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Campus Resources for Undiagnosed Students
| Clinic | This clinic assesses for: |
|---|---|
| University Health Services (UHS) & Mental Health Services |
|
| Student Assessment Services |
|
| Counseling Psychology Training Clinic |
|
| Psychology Research and Training Clinic |
|
| UW Speech and Hearing Clinic |
|
Temporary Conditions
Temporary conditions include broken bones, recovery from surgery, or other medical conditions which temporarily interfere with a student’s ability to fully participate in academic activities, like for example, the ability to take notes, write papers, or complete written exams.
Temporary conditions are not classified as disabilities unless their severity results in a substantial limitation of one or more major life activities. This can only be evaluated on an individualized basis. Please note that for most students with temporary conditions, becoming eligible for McBurney Center services may only impact the number of options available for notetaking and test accommodations.
Examples of Accommodations
Students may qualify for a variety of accommodations at UW–Madison. These accommodations are only available to students after applying and receiving approval through the McBurney Center. Accommodations are given based on the barrier a student is experiencing, and those accommodations are made on an individualized basis through conversations with your Access Consultant.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Examples of Accommodations Provided through McBurney
This is a non-exhaustive list of some of the accommodations students can be approved for after consultation:
- Adaptive/assistive technology
- Alternative formats (document conversion, braille, large print, audio)
- Alternative testing (test accommodations)
- Assistive listening devices
- Braille
- Captioning – Live CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) captioning for classes
- Course substitution evaluation
- Elevator access and keys
- Furniture accommodations
- Housing accommodations
- Interpreting (sign language)
- Laboratory assistance
- Media captioning (Closed Captioning)
- Notetaking – peer notetaking
- Notetaking – smartpens
- Preferential seating
- Reduced credit load recommendation
Training for Students Who Receive Accommodations
Training is required for all students receiving accommodations to ensure they understand their accommodations, how to request them, and how they are implemented. Some training will be as simple as how to submit Student Accommodation Letters needed to notify instructors of their accommodation requests. Other training, like with notetaking devices, is focused on how to use the technology you have been approved for. Students can reach out to their Access Consultant to schedule additional trainings or to ask questions at any time.
Rights and Responsibilities as a Student
Students have certain rights and responsibilities throughout the accommodation process. Confidentiality is an important aspect of providing accommodations, both for the McBurney Center and the instructors we work with, and we provide instructors with proper training on confidentiality as well.
All information shared with the McBurney Center is protected under FERPA. FERPA allows McBurney staff to share relevant disability information with campus staff who have a “legitimate educational interest”. This typically includes only the information needed to provide students with accommodations. We do not share a student’s medical diagnosis or documentation.
Students have a responsibility to communicate with their instructors regularly, discuss each of their accommodations with each of their instructors, ideally by the third week of class, and follow up as needed about any changes or concerns related to their accommodations.
Approved students have a right to use their accommodations, but also a responsibility to communicate if they feel those accommodations are not being fulfilled. Students should reach out to their Access Consultant if they have concerns or if they feel their approved accommodations are not being sufficiently fulfilled.
Students can find the information about Policies and Grievances on our Student Resources page.
Next Steps After Being Found Eligible
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
What happens after I am found eligible for services?
- You will receive instructions for completing training on all approved accommodations that require training.
- Your Access Consultant will record all recommended accommodations in McBurney Connect. You can view approved accommodations in McBurney Connect by clicking on “My Eligibility”.
- You will need to follow procedures for sending Student Accommodation Letters and requesting accommodations that you learned about during training.
- You should contact McBurney Center staff if you are experiencing any issues or have any further questions or concerns.
What do I do after I'm approved for accommodations?
You can consult the Using Approved Student Accommodations page for more information on how to request accommodations with your instructors and guides on how to use the specific accommodations you have been approved for (like notetaking, alternative formats, alternative testing, etc.).
How long does it take to receive accommodations?
Students should allow enough time to complete the eligibility process and for accommodation arrangements to be made. Turnaround times will depend on the time of year, how quickly documentation is submitted, and the type of accommodations being provided.
Once you have completed the eligibility process, some accommodations, such as alternative testing and notetaking, can typically be arranged in a few weeks with the help of instructors. Accommodations such as sign language interpreting, captioning/CART, closed captioning, and braille can take up to 8 weeks to arrange.
What if I will be requesting sign language interpreters, CART/C-print captioning, closed captioning or braille?
The McBurney Center has a well-established process and professional staff dedicated to providing these accommodations, but they do take the longest to arrange since they may involve recruiting new staff. Once you apply with the McBurney Center, we will begin working right away, but if you have not applied yet and plan to do so, please email McBurney Center Transition Services so we can have as much notice as possible.
Orientation (SOAR) and Placement Test Accommodations
If you are participating in SOAR and taking placement tests, you have the option to request disability-related accommodations.
These accommodations are separate from accommodations during the regular academic year and are managed by different offices within UW.
Questions Before Applying to UW-Madison?
If you have not yet applied to UW-Madison and have questions about accommodations, you can consult our guide on Thinking about UW for prospective students to UW-Madison or email the McBurney Center Transition Services with any questions or concerns.