Student Services and Resources

Disabilities, Office for Students with (OSD)

202 University Center
General e-mail: osd@ucsd.edu
For deaf/hard of hearing accommodations and services: deaf-hohrequest@ucsd.edu
For formats other than standard print: altformat@ucsd.edu
For note-taking: osdnotes@ucsd.edu
(858) 534-4382
TTY: (858) 534-9709
Fax: (858) 534-4650

http://disabilities.ucsd.edu

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is a department within Academic Affairs Division and is responsible for the determination and facilitation of reasonable modifications, adjustments, and other accommodations for students and dependents with documented disabilities. Students and dependents who request accommodations at UC San Diego need to register with OSD prior to the receipt of services. OSD encourages students and dependents to plan ahead for accommodations by

  • Acquiring a copy of the medical documentation guidelines for each condition to ensure an understanding of what documentation is required by OSD;
  • Submitting medical documentation to OSD that substantiates the functional limitations of the condition(s) that accommodations are being requested for;
  • Meeting with a disability specialist to engage in the interactive process in order to explore reasonable accommodations and services, given the requirements of the academic program;
  • Obtaining an Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) letter from OSD each quarter or period of study, which provides a basis of communication for an individual’s eligibility for accommodations with professors and OSD academic liaisons;
  • Discussing the eligible accommodations listed on the AFA with each faculty member, OSD academic liaison, advisor, or campus member leading the course or activity to form an understanding of how the accommodations will be provided each quarter;
  • Understanding how to appeal decisions regarding accommodation determinations and the provision of services in a timely manner.

OSD is also a resource for faculty and staff when working through the accommodation process, and welcomes the opportunity to discuss academic issues such as

  • When and how to refer students requesting program, classroom, and exam modifications due to medical reasons to OSD;
  • Accommodations listed on the AFA letter;
  • Confidentiality of disability-related information;
  • How program, classroom, and exam accommodations can be delivered;
  • Note-taker training;
  • Working with interpreters and captionists in the classroom;
  • How the competencies of academic programs, majors, and minors impact the provision of accommodations;
  • General information about accommodations and services due to disabilities.

Policies and procedures for and about students with disabilities, ranging in topic from accommodation requests to appeals, are located in a number of areas, including