Skip to main content

Student Disability Accommodations

Student Accommodations


The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and current students with disabilities that impact academics, on-campus living, dining, and cocurricular and extracurricular campus activities. The Equal Opportunity and Compliance office (EOC) coordinates and implements appropriate reasonable accommodations and provides appropriate resources and services. EOC works with all students including undergraduate and graduate students, full-time and part-time students, and students participating in continuing education courses or who may be auditing and with program applicants.


A disability is defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as Amended (2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities and major bodily functions. If you currently have a physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity or major bodily function or a history of such a condition, you may have a legally defined disability.

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, substantially limiting means being unable to perform a major life activity, or being significantly restricted as to the manner, condition, or duration under which a major life activity can be performed, in comparison to the average person. A major life activity means performing manual tasks, caring for oneself, seeing, hearing, walking, breathing, speaking, working and learning.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on Accommodations details the University’s provisions for student disability accommodations and related resources.

Fundamental Alteration: The EOC will not approve an accommodation that fundamentally alters a course or academic program. A fundamental alteration is a change that is so significant that it alters the essential nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations offered. If an instructor or other relevant stakeholder believes a proposed accommodation will fundamentally alter the course or program, EOC will consider that perspective in the interactive process before making a determination on the approved accommodation.


The term “accommodation” means a change to the environment, curriculum format, or equipment that allows an individual with a disability to gain access to content and/or complete assigned tasks. Accommodations allow students with disabilities to pursue a regular course of study. Since accommodations do not alter what is being taught or assessed, instructors should implement the same grading scale for students with disabilities as they do for students without disabilities.

Examples of accommodations include:

  • sign language interpreters for students who are deaf;
  • computer text-to-speech computer-based systems for students with visual impairments or dyslexia;
  • extended time for students with fine motor limitations, visual impairments, or learning differences;
  • large-print books and worksheets for students with visual impairments; and
  • trackballs and alternative keyboards for students who operate standard mice and keyboards.


Request Process

Getting Started

Students should submit the Accommodation Request Form and provide EOC with relevant documentation at least 14 days before the accommodations are needed. Accommodations cannot be provided retroactively. The information below outlines key information on EOC accommodation request processes and procedures for students with disabilities. Depending on the type of request, a meeting with an Accommodation Specialist may be required. There are two paths that will be used to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

More in-depth information on the process for requesting accommodations and services can be found in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on Accommodations.


  • A streamlined process for students seeking disability accommodations
  • Quick assessment and approval of necessary accommodations
  • Ideal for students who:
    • Already know their desired accommodation(s) and/or have used them before;
    • Have medical documentation that supports the requested accommodations; and
    • Want the accommodations listed below.

Communication in this path is primarily via email.

Blue Path Accommodation options:

  • Certain testing accommodations: These testing accommodations are available on the Blue Path for traditional, written exams. Other testing accommodations (including separate setting) and accommodations for other assessment formats must be requested using the Gray Path.
    • Low distraction test setting: Provides an environment with minimal distractions to support concentration during tests
    • Extended test time of 50% or less: Offers additional time to complete tests, which accommodates various pacing needs
  • Use of lecture capture materials: Allows access to recorded lectures for review
  • Digital copies of instructor materials: Ensures that all instructional materials are available in a digital format
  • Alternative/accessible formats: Provides materials in formats that are accessible to students with disabilities (e.g., braille, large print, digital documents/e-books, CART, etc.)
  • Priority seating: Allows students to choose seating that best suits their needs for engagement and accessibility
  • Breaks: Permits taking breaks during class or exams, as needed
  • Priority registration: Enables early registration for classes to ensure accommodation needs are met
  • Assistive technology: Includes tools like the GLEAN notetaking app to aid in capturing and organizing information during class meetings

Please note: The Blue Path does not limit your ability to pursue additional accommodations in the future. Housing accommodations, adjustments to course or program requirements, and other complex requests are not eligible for this path.




  • An alternative route for complex accommodation cases
  • Involves detailed evaluation and communication with an Accommodation Specialist
  • The Gray Path is the best option for students who are unsure which accommodations they want to explore and/or for those who have more complex access needs. A 30 minute to 1 hour consultation with an Accommodation Specialist is required to consider these requests. Having your documentation available for the consultation is recommended, but not required.

Please note: Certain academic programs (e.g., the Law School, School of Nursing, School of Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Science) require the Gray Path due to nuances related to educational requirements, clinical experiences, and licensure exams. Components of graduate programs (i.e., programmatic/preliminary exams) also require the Gray Path.

Please review the steps below:

Step 1: Complete Accommodation Request Form

Step 2: Submit Supporting Documentation

Step 3: Schedule and attend consultation with an Accommodation Specialist.

  • Once your information has been received and reviewed, the EOC will send a link to schedule a meeting via Zoom. Please let us know if you would prefer to meet over the phone or in person.
  • Please contact the EOC Accommodations Team if you have any questions or concerns prior to your appointment.

Confidentiality:

The EOC is committed to maintaining confidentiality of your health and disability information. We ensure that diagnostic details and medical conditions remain private. Our office only discloses information regarding accommodations and access arrangements to need-to-know parties when necessary. If you wish to share information with a support person or healthcare provider, we require your consent through a completed release of information form.

Please note that all employees are designated as Responsible Employees.

Once disability accommodations are approved, they will be visible in the EOC Hub.


Testing Accommodations

Some students may require accommodations for mid-semester exams, final exams, or other test-based assessments. Whenever feasible, students with accommodations should take exams/assessments with the rest of the class and the instructor (or a teaching assistant). This allows students to be more easily assisted by instructors in the event of any questions or issues needing clarification arising from the exam. Unless EOC determines otherwise in a specific circumstance, students with testing accommodations only for assistive technology and/or alternative medium for recording answers are expected and must be permitted to take exams/assessments with the rest of class.

However, if this is not possible or when EOC assistance is required in meeting the specific accommodation needs of the student, EOC may be able to proctor on behalf of the instructor at the EOC Testing Center.


  • extended testing time
  • a testing location which allows for minimum distraction & disruption
  • use of assistive technology
  • alternative medium for recording answers
  • making test/exam/assessment materials available in alternative formats
  • stopped clock
  • scribe/reader/exam assistant



Students must schedule tests/exams/assessments to be taken at the EOC Testing Center at least 7 days in advance via the Hub. For example, an exam to be taken on Thursday should be scheduled no later than the previous Thursday, one week (7 calendar days) in advance of the test day.

Please note that Saturdays and Sundays are treated as Mondays by the system, so if you enter the Hub on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday the first day on which you will be able to schedule an exam will be on the following Monday. When possible, test start times should be the same as the regular start time when a student is scheduling via the Hub. If you need to begin the exam at another time due to a scheduled class, please schedule accordingly and the Hub will notify the instructor. This is only permitted when another scheduled course interferes with exam time. If EOC or the instructor determines you are scheduling the exam at another time with no scheduled course conflict, you will be referred to the honor court. When scheduling, you will still need to enter the original testing date/time, but then select a different start time in the section below.


Instructors are encouraged to make arrangements to administer tests/exams for students with testing accommodations themselves, with the EOC Testing Center available for assistance and advice. In addition, the EOC Testing Center is available to proctor exams on behalf of instructors; if EOC Testing Center assistance is needed to implement testing accommodations for your students, be aware of the following EOC Testing Center requirements:

  1. Scheduling Flexibility
    • Tests proctored by the EOC Testing Center may be scheduled outside of the date and time the test would ordinarily be administered.  The Testing Center is open 8 a.m.– 8 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Fridays, with additional capacity during Fall and Spring Finals and on one Reading Day. Outside of finals, the Testing Center has 50 seats.  Tests will be scheduled based on availability of Testing Center space and student schedules.  Instructors who wish to have tests proctored in the Testing Center must allow for flexibility in scheduling as determined necessary by the Testing Center.
  2. Test/Exam Paper Submission
    • Upload exams to The Hub as a Test Package no less than 24 hours not including weekend hours, before the scheduled start time and preferably upon receiving notification of a student’s exam scheduling. Late submissions will generally result in the inability of the EOC Testing Center to administer a test/exam and will generally require the instructor to separately proctor the exam in compliance with the student’s accommodation plan.
  3. Test/Exam Limitations
    • The Testing Center cannot administer tests/exams with “multi-step” processes, “audio-visual” components, “timed exposure” elements, or spoken responses unless these are preconfigured appropriately through an LMS.
  4. Test/Exam Format
    • Instructors must include the following information on exam papers for better preparation and student orientation:
      • Class prefix, number, and section, instructor’s name
      • Applicable semester
      • Exam title (e.g., Midterm 2, Fall 24 Final)
      • Page numbers
      • Clear “end of exam” indication
    • Exams that do not include this information may be returned to the instructor for correction, which may result in delays that result in the inability of the EOC Testing Center to administer a test/exam.
  5. Communication During Tests/Exams
    • Instructors or their designee must be available to Testing Center staff for the duration of any exam being proctored by the Testing Center, including exams scheduled outside of the normal exam time, and must provide a contact phone number and/or email that is actively monitored during the exam period.
    • Failure to respond to Testing Center questions during the exam period will generally result in the Testing Center providing students the best answer available based on the instructions provided by the instructor.
    • Instructors must share any in-class announcements, corrections, or clarifications with Testing Center staff.


Documentation Guidelines

Documentation must confirm the fact that the condition is present, limiting a major life activity or major bodily function with impacts on functioning. EOC uses flexibility and discretion in determining how recent documentation must be.  Licensed health care professionals may use the Provider Documentation Form to share documentation with EOC. Generally, sufficient documentation includes detailed documentation from a medical provider or a psychological/psycho-educational evaluation.



Documentation must be typed on office or practice letterhead and dated and signed by a professional who is licensed or certified in the area for which the diagnosis is made. The provider’s name, title, and license/certification credentials must be included and cannot be family members or others with a close personal relationship to the student.


A diagnostic statement identifying the disability including International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classification along with any relevant personal, psychosocial, medical, developmental and/or educational history. A full description of the diagnostic methodology used, including data and measurements from appropriate evaluation instruments. The results obtained should draw a direct link to the diagnosis and the functional limitations of the disability. For cognitive disorders, evaluations should use adult norms.

The following information should be included and clearly described:

  • The level of severity of the condition
  • The current impact and functional limitations pertaining to the academic and/or residential settings.
  • Whether the symptoms are constant or episodic
  • The frequency and/or duration of symptoms
  • Any currently prescribed or used treatments, medications, and/or assistive devices/services
  • The mediating effects and potential side effects from such treatments.


Recommendations are welcomed and considered. However, EOC makes the ultimate determination on eligibility and reasonable accommodations necessary to provide equal access for participation in academic courses, programs and activities. Any recommendations should be directly linked to the impact or functional limitations associated with the disability, or medication prescribed to control symptoms and include a clear rationale based on level of impairment.


Student and Instructor Resources

Additional questions or concerns?

Contact the EOC Accommodations Team