Stanford
Office of Accessible Education

For Students

Student Rights

Stanford University has an institutional commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  To provide equality of access for students with disabilities, accommodations (including auxiliary aids and services) will be provided to the extent necessary to comply with state and federal laws.  For each student, these accommodations will specifically address those functional limitations of the disability which adversely affect equal education opportunity.  Stanford has established the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) to assist qualified students with disabilities in securing such appropriate accommodations.

Accommodations include those modifications to the course, program, or educational requirements as are necessary and appropriate so that such requirements do not discriminate or have the effect of discriminating on the basis of disability.  Academic requirements that are deemed essential to the course or to the program of instruction being pursued by the student or which relate directly to licensing requirements will not be regarded as discriminatory within the meaning of this section.  Potential modifications that may be considered include (but are not limited to) changes in the length of time permitted for completion of degree requirements, extended time on an examination or paper, and other appropriate accommodations which do not fundamentally alter the essential nature of a course or academic program.

Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for consideration for accommodations if they have a documented disability and the OAE has met with the student and determined that functional limitations of the disability require such accommodation.

Student Responsibilities

Each student bears the responsibility of initiating a disability-related request for accommodations with the OAE prior to the time such an accommodation is needed.  In addition, and more specifically, it is the responsibility of the student to:

  • As early as possible, register with the OAE and submit documentation of disability as a prerequisite to receiving accommodations.
  • Notify the OAE immediately when an accommodation is not being provided correctly.
  • Notify the OAE immediately when discontinuing an accommodation  (e.g., notetaking) or dropping a course for which alternate format materials are required.
  • Provide timely notification to faculty of approved accommodations by submitting the OAE Accommodation Letter.
  • Provide for personal disability-related needs or services such as “personal care attendants,” transportation off campus, housekeeping, golf cart rental, wheelchair repair, etc.
  • Meet the same standards—academic, technical, performance and behavior—expected of all Stanford students.