ATU Student Disability Access Policy

Arkansas Tech University (ATU) is committed to providing access, equal educational opportunity, and full participation for all students, including students with disabilities, in accordance with all provisions established by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, sections 504 and 508, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and the Arkansas RISE Act (Act 907) of 2025.  

The fundamental principles of nondiscrimination in university programs provide that:  

1. No student with a qualified disability shall, on the basis of the disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any post-secondary education activity or program; and  
2. Reasonable adjustments, determined on an individual, case-by-case basis, to academic courses, activities or other university programs, shall be made in a timely manner and as are necessary to ensure that such requirements do not discriminate or have the effect of discrimination on a student with a qualified disability; and  
3. The university shall create an educational environment where students with disabilities have equal access to instruction without compromising the essential components and technical requirements of the course, educational program or degree. The Office of Disability Services is responsible for determining a student's eligibility for reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments for all ATU Russellville programs and courses, in the university's residence halls, and auxiliary services. For ATU Ozark courses and programs, the Student Success and Disability Services Coordinator is designated to approve student accommodations and adjustments due to the impact of disability. 

Documentation

Documentation requested during the interactive process serves multiple purposes: 

1. To establish a student as a student with a disability; 
2. To demonstrate that the physical or mental disability creates a substantial limitation to a major life activity and establish eligibility for protection under the law; 
3. To establish a current need for an accommodation(s) in order to assure equal access. 

Medical records, psycho-educational testing reports, military disability records, and previous educational records or plans from a public or private school, a local educational agency, or a state educational agency such as an IEP, 504 plan, or accommodation letter from another college or university will be considered when evaluating whether a student is a student with a disability. Third-party documentation provided during the determination process must come from an appropriate professional; letters purchased online after a brief interview are not adequate support of disability status or the need for adjustments based on disability. 

Accommodation Request Process

No student with disabilities is required to register with the Office of Disability Services, or the ATU Ozark designee, if they are not seeking an accommodation. 

Students seeking accommodations must initiate the interactive process through an online application available on both the ATU Russellville Office of Disability Services and ATU Ozark Student Success Center websites . Assistance with this application is available upon request. Accommodations are not retroactive, so early contact is encouraged. 

The Office of Disability Services (or the ATU Ozark designee) will engage in an interactive process with the student and, if needed, the faculty or staff of the course or program for which the adjustment is requested, to review the request(s) as well as the barrier(s) the student identifies as the reason for the request. Any alternate reasonable accommodation(s) that is effective in affording the student equal opportunity will be reviewed and may be approved in lieu of the original request. The student’s continuous participation in the interactive process is essential for it to be effective, and not doing so may delay or end the process. Students are responsible for ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of their approved accommodation(s). Students with questions or concerns about their accommodation(s) should contact the Office of Disability Services (or the ATU Ozark designee) as soon as possible. 

Any ATU faculty or staff who believes an accommodation would fundamentally or substantially alter an essential requirement of a course or program or pose an undue burden on ATU should contact the Office of Disability Services, or the ATU Ozark designee, and request a Fundamental Alteration Review.   

The responsibility for providing approved adjustments or accommodations is shared across all areas of the university, including academic programs and courses, the university housing program, dining services, and any other area in which an adjustment or accommodation is requested based on disability and approved.  

Contact Info

ATU Russellville:
Office of Disability Services
Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 141
1605 Coliseum Drive
Russellville, AR 72801
Phone: (479) 968-0302
Fax: (479) 968-0375
TTY Hearing Impaired Services: (479) 964-3290
Email: disabilities@atu.edu 

ATU Ozark:
Ozark Student Success Center
Technology and Academic Support, Suite 140
1700 Helberg Lane
Ozark, AR 72949
Phone: (479) 968-0337
Email: ozark.accommodations@atu.edu

Printable Version 

Arkansas Tech University (ATU) is committed to making sure all students, including those with disabilities, have equal access to education, programs, and services. This commitment follows federal and state laws like the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Arkansas RISE Act.

What This Means:

1. No Discrimination:
   Students with disabilities cannot be left out of classes or programs only because of their disability.
2. Fair Support:
   ATU will make reasonable changes or accommodations to classes or activities when needed, as long as it doesn’t change the core purpose of the program.
3. Equal Access:
   ATU aims to make sure students with disabilities can fully take part in their education while still meeting essential academic requirements.

Who to Contact:

• ATU Russellville:
  The Office of Disability Services handles accommodations for classes, housing, and other services.
• ATU Ozark:
  The Student Success and Disability Services Coordinator helps students get accommodations.

Documentation Requirements:

To get accommodations, you’ll need to show documents that:

1. Prove you have a disability.
2. Explain how your disability affects daily life or learning.
3. Show why accommodations are needed now.

Examples include medical records, evaluations, IEPs, 504 plans, or letters from professionals. Online letters based on short interviews are not accepted.

How to Request Accommodations:

• You don’t have to register for disability services unless you want accommodations.
• To request accommodations, fill out an application on the Disability Services website. Help with the application is available by emailing disabilities@atu.edu or calling (479) 968-0302.
• Accommodations don’t apply to past issues—they start only after they’re approved, so apply early.

The Office of Disability Services will work with you (and possibly your instructors) to understand what you need and what can be provided. If a different accommodation would work just as well, they may suggest it instead.

Staying involved in this process is important. If you don’t respond or participate, the process could be delayed or stopped.

If you have concerns about your accommodations or if they aren’t working, contact the Office of Disability Services, or the ATU Ozark designee, as soon as possible.

Faculty and Staff Concerns:

If a professor or staff member thinks an accommodation might change the core of a class or place an unfair burden on the university, they can request a review through the Office of Disability Services, or the ATU Ozark designee.

Providing approved accommodations is a shared responsibility across the whole university—including academics, housing, dining, and more.

Contact Information:

ATU Russellville:
Office of Disability Services
Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 141
1605 Coliseum Drive
Russellville, AR 72801
Phone: (479) 968-0302
Fax: (479) 968-0375
TTY: (479) 964-3290
Email: disabilities@atu.edu

ATU Ozark:
Ozark Student Success Center
Technology and Academic Support, Suite 140
1700 Helberg Lane
Ozark, AR 72949
Phone: (479) 968-0337
Email: ozark.accommodations@atu.edu 

Printable Version

The list below represents the most commonly approved accommodations for students with disabilities at ATU. Every accommodation is tailored to individual needs, so please be aware these will not be reasonable for every disability type or every student's situation.

Examples of Accommodations approved at ATU

1.5x testing time
Minimum-distraction testing environment
Permission to record lecture material
Textbooks in an alternate format
Occasional breaks from class
Alternate seating arrangement in classrooms

Disability Resources at ATU

ATU Russellville Disability Services
ATU Ozark Disability Services
Admissions (arrangements for tours and preview events)
Alumni 
Athletics (event accessibility)
Athletics (website accessibility)
Chartwell's Dining Services
ATU Russellville Facilities Management (FAMA)
Human Resources (accommodations for student workers) 
ATU Russellville Library
Office of Information Systems (general technology assistance)
ATU Russellville Public Safety
Registrar (accommodations for graduation ceremonies)
Residence Life
Student Support Services (TRIO) 
Testing Services

Accommodation Examples Printable Version 

Disability Resources Printable Version