Accessibility FAQ’s - The University of Tulsa
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Accessibility FAQ’s

General Accessibility FAQ’s

Students with diagnosed disabilities (or who think they may have a disability and want to find out) work with Student Access to receive accommodations that will provide access to all opportunities. Student Access provides ongoing support and assistance to students with all disabilities, including ADHD, learning disabilities, psychological disabilities, and physical disabilities. In order to receive accommodations best suited and approved for their needs, students provide documentation of their disability to Student Access. Students can schedule an appointment with Student Access staff to discuss documentation and requested accommodations. After accommodations are approved, each student works with Student Access staff to set up arrangements for their accommodations.

You may locate this information online: Undergraduate Scholarships.

Students in this situation should schedule an appointment with Student Access to discuss available options. Student Access will work with the student as well as faculty and staff members to try to help a student recover academically. Students should contact Student Access as soon as this becomes an issue to have the best chance of turning the semester around. In the event a student will not be able to return to class, Student Access staff will discuss options with the student and work to get the student on a path where they could eventually return.

Accessibility Accommodations FAQs

Please feel free to reach out to Student Access (studentaccess@utulsa.edu) and we’d be happy to follow up with you. Here are a few quick resolutions to some common issues.

  • Your account must be active for you to log in. For alumni, prospective, and those students that are returning from time away you most likely will not be able to log into the system.
  • Using the appropriate web address. Double check and make sure the web address you are using is the following: https://sierra.accessiblelearning.com/utulsa.
    • On the login screen you will see you the TU logo and it will prompt you to enter your TU email address and password.
    • Don’t forget to bookmark the web address listed!

To make a request for accommodations, at a minimum, students should submit the Application for Accessibility Services and have their health care provider submit supporting documentation and/or fill out the Accommodation Verification Form as stipulated in the appropriate policy (ADHD Guidelines or Learning Disability Guidelines).  These forms can be found on our Forms & Policies page. Students will then speak with a Student Access staff member regarding their needs. Once a decision is made regarding accommodations, students meet with a Student Access staff member to review their accommodations, discuss how to utilize them, and sign the Rights and Responsibilities form.

Every semester, students can log on to the Accessibility Services Portal to request which accommodations they would like to notify each of their professors about for each of their classes, submit exam requests, and notetaking requests.  Specific procedures and deadlines can be found in the Rights and Responsibilities.  Additionally, for specific accommodations that require service providers or materials, students need to submit an Accommodation Request Form before every semester (the earlier the better) to make arrangements for those accommodations (e.g., such as interpreters, CAN/CART providers, alternative textbook formats).

  • Extended time on exams
  • Taking exams in a distraction-reduced environment
  • Computer use for exams
  • Notetaking assistance
  • Recording lectures
  • Priority registration for classes
  • Documentation of ongoing medical absences
  • Notifications for allergies
  • Alternative formats
  • ASL interpreting
  • Preferential seating in classes
  • Housing and meal plan accommodations

Student Access can make referrals to do testing to determine if you have a disability of some kind. There are numerous resources available in Tulsa and Student Access staff can help connect students to these resources.

Student Access offers a number of accommodations to students with disabilities. Some of the most common include extended time on exams, taking exams in a distraction-reduced environment, priority enrollment for classes, interpreter support for the classroom, and class notetaking assistance. To qualify for accommodations, students provide documentation of their disability to Student Access. Depending on the type of disability, there is different information that will need to be provided by the student’s diagnosing professional. Students can schedule an appointment with Student Access staff to discuss the appropriate documentation needed and accommodations available. Once the documentation has been submitted, the student’s file is sent to the ADA/504 Coordinator. The ADA/504 Coordinator reviews the documentation and makes determinations about appropriate accommodations. The decision is then given to the student in writing and Student Access staff will meet with the student to get the accommodations set up.

Every semester, students can log on to the Accessibility Services Portal to request which accommodations they would like to notify each of their professors about for each of their classes. After the student submits the request, Student Access staff will send the Notification of Required Accommodations letter to the course professor via email (students also receive a copy of each letter).

Because a student’s record is private and protected by federal law, information contained in the student’s record may not be released to anyone besides the student without permission given, in writing, by the student to release that information. If a student would like information shared with someone (e.g., a faculty member, a physician, a family member), the student may sign a release form that would give permission to release information. Even University staff are not entitled to the information in a student’s record unless they have a legitimate educational need to know the information, as defined by federal law. Prospective employers would not have access to the student’s record without a signed release form. For more information about exceptions to the privacy of a student’s record, please contact Student Access or visit the FERPA website.

Utilizing Accommodations FAQs

Students with approved testing accommodations can schedule to take their exams in the Testing Center.

How to schedule an exam:

  1. Log into the Accessibility Services Portal: https://sierra.accessiblelearning.com/utulsa
  2. Once you’ve logged in, on the menu on the lefthand side under My Accommodations you’ll see Alternative Testing.
  3. Click Alternative Testing and you’ll be directed to a new page.
  4. From there you can select your specific class from the drop-down menu and select Schedule an Exam.
  5. On the Schedule an Exam screen, you’ll see standard information about using the Testing Center and below that will be the information provided by the professor regarding exam administration.
  6. At the very bottom, you’ll be able to list the date and time of the exam.
    • Note, exams should be scheduled at the same time as the rest of the class, barring any scheduling conflicts.
    • If you need to reschedule for any reason, you must put a note in the additional comments section or the request may be denied.

Undergraduate and Graduate students with approved accommodations can follow the below instructions to send their Notice of Required Accommodation letters to their professors each semester.

Law students with approved accommodations use the same process, however, those law students with alternative testing accommodations will work directly with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs in the Law School for assistance in implementing their approved alternative testing accommodations.

  1. Log on to the Accessibility Services Portal
  2. Go to Select Accommodations for Class: (scroll to the middle of the page) – there will be a list of the classes you are enrolled in)
  3. If you do not see a list of your classes, please email studentaccess@utulsa.edu.
  4. Check each class that you are requesting to use accommodations in.
  5. Click the STEP 2 – Continue to Customize Your Accommodations button.
  6. Look through the list of your classes and check each of the accommodations you want to notify your professors that you plan to use (in the Select Accommodation(s) for Class section under each class).
    • Students with testing accommodations will not see the list of all their testing accommodations only Alternative Testing – this is supposed to happen and your approved testing accommodations will be sent accordingly as long as you select Alternative Testing.
    • Once you have selected the accommodations you plan to use for each class, click the Submit Your Accommodations Request button – DONE!
    • Student Access staff will send the letters via email.  Students and professors both receive the email.

Every semester, students can log on to the Accessibility Services Portal to request which accommodations they would like to notify each of their professors about for each of their classes, submit exam requests, and notetaking requests.  Specific procedures and deadlines can be found in the Rights and Responsibilities.  Additionally, for specific accommodations that require service providers or materials, students need to submit an Accommodation Request Form before every semester (the earlier the better) to make arrangements for those accommodations (e.g., such as interpreters, CAN/CART providers, alternative textbook formats).

Physical Spaces FAQs

View, download, and print the ADA Accessibility Campus Map.

You can find information under “Ticketing” online at www.tulsahurricane.com. The seating charts indicating ADA accessible seating can also be found online. Please contact Student Access or the Ticketing Office for other questions.

If you have a disability, your doctor can provide verification for you to submit to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to get an ADA placard to display on your car.  This will allow you to park in any ADA parking spot in any lot on campus. You must still display a valid TU parking permit as well, but the ADA placard from DPS will enable parking in any of the lots in the ADA parking spots. Should you find no ADA parking spots available in the lot you need, contact Parking & Card Services or Campus Security. For information about accessible parking and temporary accessible parking on campus, please visit Parking & Card Services.

Students can register their disability with Student Access. Student Access will notify Campus Security that the student may occasionally experience transportation difficulty in inclement weather and these resources can assist. Visitors may contact Campus Security at 918-631-5555 for transportation difficulties in inclement weather and assistance will be provided as available when officers are not responding to other calls. Additionally, if snow or other weather presents barriers in pedestrian travel paths, please contact Physical Plant for assistance (918-631-2287). As a student, if inclement weather presents problems getting to class, contact your professor to discuss what to do.

Pathfinders Program FAQs

In Pathfinders, students will participate in skills-building groups, social events, and Student Success Coaching, all with their sensory needs in mind. Our skills-building groups include topics such as building and maintaining relationships, talking with professors, and practicing self-care.

  • Transition to college
  • Academic and study skills improvement
  • Social skills and problems
  • Health and wellness
  • Positive recreation
  • Housing and living with roommates
  • Independent living
  • Enhancing speech patterns
  • Communication and presentation skills
  • Self-confidence
  • Involvement and volunteering
  • Time management and organization
  • Goal-setting and self-advocacy
  • Stress management and anxiety
  • Interacting with professors
  • Work and career preparation