Supporting Students

professor in lab with students

Supporting Students

Working with students with disabilities is a routine part of teaching at UT Austin. In most cases, a student shares an accommodation letter, you discuss how accommodations will be implemented and you provide the approved accommodations.

D&A is here to support you throughout the process. If you have questions or encounter a situation not covered here, contact us.

A Student Shares an Accommodation Letter

Students and instructors should discuss the listed accommodations and work together to determine how they will be provided. This conversation may take place in the format that works best for both parties — email, phone call or meeting during office hours.

Follow Up

After your conversation, send a brief follow-up email summarizing any plans or agreements to ensure everyone has the same understanding.

Stay Connected

Encourage students to reach out if questions or concerns arise during the semester. Early communication often helps prevent larger issues later.

A Student May Need Accommodations

Some students may struggle in ways that suggest they could benefit from accommodations but have not registered with D&A.

Share Your Observations

Speak with the student privately and focus on what you've observed rather than making assumptions about a disability or diagnosis.

Share Resources

Let students know about available resources, including D&A, the Sanger Learning Center, the Counseling and Mental Health Center, University Health Services and Student Emergency Services.

Making a Referral

If a student requests accommodations but has not provided an accommodation letter, refer them to D&A to begin the registration process.

For students who continue to struggle, let them know D&A exists and what support is available. A supportive, non-directive approach often works best: "I wanted to check in and let you know about some resources that may be helpful."