Transitioning to UT

Starting college comes with new responsibilities, including understanding how accommodations and services work at UT Austin. Disability and Access is here to help support you through that transition.

Disclosing a Disability

If you’re considering disclosing a disability during the admissions process, that decision is entirely yours. Documentation submitted to the Office of Admissions is not automatically forwarded to D&A.

You’ll need to submit it directly to D&A when you’re ready to register.

What Changes in College

In high school, your school identified your needs, evaluated you and put accommodations in place. In college, the process works differently, and students take a more active role in requesting and managing accommodations.

You start the process

UT will not identify or contact students about accommodations. When you are ready, you register with D&A and work with an access coordinator to discuss accommodations and services.

You provide documentation

Your IEP or 504 plan from high school may not be sufficient on its own. D&A requires current documentation describing your diagnosis, functional limitations and need for accommodations and services.

You work with instructors

Each semester, you request accommodation letters from D&A and share them with your instructors to discuss how accommodations will be implemented in each course.

Self-advocacy becomes more important

In college, you are responsible for communicating your own needs and requesting accommodations. D&A staff are here to help support you through that process.

Examples of Accommodations in College

Accommodations and services are individualized and designed to ensure equal access. A few examples of what that looks like at UT:

  • A student who uses a wheelchair has access to a height-adjustable desk, tilt table or roll-under work surface.
  • A Deaf student receives interpreting or captioning services to access course content.
  • A student with a learning disability has extended testing time to allow sufficient time to read and respond.

What First-Year Longhorns Should Know

Your accommodation letter is a starting point

Sharing accommodation letters with instructors opens a conversation about how accommodations will work in each course.

Timing matters

Accommodation letters are most effective when shared early in the semester. Waiting until an exam or deadline is approaching can limit time available to coordinate accommodations effectively.

You don’t have to disclose your disability

Accommodation letters explain approved accommodations, not your diagnosis. You aren’t required to share your disability or medical information with instructors.

D&A is a resource, not a last resort

Students who stay in contact with their access coordinator throughout the semester often have a smoother experience than those who only reach out when challenges arise.