UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls
During Spring semester the Ability Services Office will be open for regular office hours (8:00 am-4:30 pm). All appointments are being conducted virtually at this time. To arrange an appointment with our office, please email us at (ability.services@uwrf.edu) or call our office at 715-425-0740.
Ability Services is as committed as ever to provide support to UWRF students during alternative instruction.
When discussion beyond email is requested by either party, we regularly meet virtually with students through Microsoft Teams. There is more information on Virtual Meetings shown below.
With many classes moved to an online format, recognize that creating accommodations meant for in-person instruction will take a creative and collaborative effort by students, faculty, and Ability Services staff. The Ability Services office is connecting with relevant campus stakeholders to ensure reasonable accommodation needs are met during this time.
If you have concerns about reasonable accommodations during the alternative instruction time period, please email Alicia Reinke-Tuthill, Manager of Ability Services. If you'd rather leave a message, please call 715-425-0740.
The mission of the Ability Services office is to arrange equal access and opportunity for students in the way of academic accommodations, inclusivity, and accessibility in the campus community and culture.
Ability Services serves students with a documented disability who need to arrange academic accommodations for their classes. A disability under ADA may include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Acquired Brain Injury, PTSD, or a physical, sensory, psychological, or learning disability.
Please see the Future Students Page on the left column to learn more about the process of arranging accommodations. For a basic overview of our office, what to expect, and information on reasonable accommodations, check out the Information to Know for New Students.
An accommodation is typically an adjustment in the way things are done, not an adjustment in the curriculum. An accommodation could be a different way to receive important information for a course, such as using an audio textbook in conjunction with the hardcopy. It could also be a different way to do important things such as having additional time to take tests.
Meeting for the following purposes should be scheduled in advance by emailing Alicia Reinke-Tuthill or Ability Services staff. Please provide 2 meeting options Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Your meeting time will be confirmed by the following business day.
Suggested meeting platforms - both are free and can be used with your computer, iOS, or Android. The preferred meeting method would be on your computer in order for the Ability Services staff to share screen information with you during the meeting.
If you request accommodations a placement test under non-standard conditions due to a disability, do not register online. Instead, send a letter on high school letterhead from a teacher, counselor, or principal describing the appropriate accommodations you need.
With the letter, please include:
Email this information to tnoconno@wisc.edu, or mail to:
Tim O'Connor, 1025 West Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53706
East of Centennial Science Hall
Complete the New Student Application on this page. Once completed, make an Intake appointment by emailing the Ability Services office. Provide two available meeting times. You will be contacted by email to confirm your Intake appointment with Alicia Reinke-Tuthill.
Request your Faculty Notification Letters from Ability Services. It's recommended you share your accommodations with your professors at the beginning of each semester in order to provide you the best support.
If you have a new diagnosis or would like to discuss a change in approved accommodations, please request an appointment with Ability Services to initiate a review for eligible accommodations.
During Fall and Spring semesters, requests for accommodations need to be completed approximately 5 weeks before the end of the term. Any requests made past the deadline will be at the discretion of the Ability Services Manager to determine if accommodations can be offered for the rest of the semester. For more information on this deadline, please review the "Accommodation Deadline Request Policy" found on our Policies page.
Term Deadlines: Last day to add a class, drop a class, register for graduation, registration for various term courses, breaks (no classes), finals, etc.
Learn more about person-first vs. identity-first language in the disability community
The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) is a civil rights law that was originally passed by Congress in 1990 (as the Americans with Disabilities Act-ADA) and protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace, as well as school and other settings. The ADA was amended in 2008 and became effective January 1, 2009.
