Accessibility and Disability Service

7154 Preinkert Drive
Ground Floor of Caroline Hall
Phone: 301-314-7682
adsfrontdesk@umd.edu
http://ads.umd.edu

Director: Tessa Cahill

Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) provides accommodations to ensure equal access to courses, programs, and activities at the University of Maryland. Because disability-related needs vary, ADS engages in an individualized, interactive process with each student to determine appropriate accommodations and provide the support necessary for full participation in all aspects of campus life. 

Who Is Eligible For Accommodations

Students with a documented disability are eligible to apply for reasonable accommodations. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Disabilities vary widely – some may be apparent, while others are not immediately visible. ADS is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that acknowledges the diverse needs and strengths of students.

Who Ads Supports

ADS provides services to all students with disabilities, including undergraduate, graduate, transfer, and visiting students, to ensure equal access to academic programs, on-campus housing, and experience-based learning opportunities.

Where Accommodations Apply

Accommodations are designed to support individual needs across various settings while maintaining the university’s academic standards. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Academic courses
• Experience-based learning placements (e.g., fieldwork, clinical rotations, internships)
• Research (e.g., capstone projects, theses, dissertations)
• On-campus housing

Getting Started With Accommodations

ADS engages in a collaborative, interactive process to determine and implement accommodations for students with disabilities. 

To begin, students must register with ADS by completing an application. As part of the registration process, students provide information about their disability and its impact on their academic and residential experiences, along with documentation from a medical or healthcare provider. This information helps ADS assess individual needs and determine reasonable accommodations. 

While documentation is required to verify disability status and determine appropriate accommodations, we recognize that immediate access to these records is not always possible. Documentation is not required to connect with ADS to ask questions, discuss needs, or explore potential support options. ADS offers consultations to help students understand available resources and next steps.

IMPORTANT: Disclosing a disability to a UMD official (such as an academic advisor or professor) does not automatically initiate the accommodations process or put accommodations in place. To receive accommodations, students must register with ADS.