Starting on Monday, August 2nd, the office will be open daily from 8:00 am-4:30 pm for in-person and virtual appointments. Students will have the opportunity to choose their preferred meeting format during the Fall of 2021.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls
Office Hours and Meetings
Ability Services
Ability Services
Fostering Independence, Reducing Barriers, & Promoting Inclusion
Ability Services is as committed as ever to provide support to UWRF students during alternative instruction.
- General Inquires: email us at ability.services@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-0740.
- Begin the Process for Accommodations: complete the New Student Application found below.
- New Diagnosis: email us at ability.services@uwrf.edu to determine if an adjustment in accommodation is needed.
- Request Faculty Notification Letters. This is geared to returning students who have used approved accommodations during a previous semester at UWRF.
- Complete the Process for Accommodations: This is geared toward students who have completed the Intake process and eligibility has been approved for their first semester accommodations at UWRF.
- Email Deb Morgan to schedule an appointment. Scheduled appointments will meet after August 16th.
When discussion beyond email is requested by either party, we will schedule a virtual or in-office appointment. There is more information on Virtual Meetings shown below.
New to the office and wondering who we are?
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.
To Request Any Accommodation at UWRF:
1. Complete the New Student Application, found above.
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Username: Student ID, otherwise known as your W# (Example: w31xxxxx).
- Use your UWRF assigned email address on the application. Emails are formatted as such: first.lastname@my.uwrf.edu.
2. Submit Documentation with the application, if available.
3. Email Ability Services to schedule an Intake appointment, ability.services@uwrf.edu.
Academic Accommodation Process
What is an Accommodation?
What is an accommodation?
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.
Schedule a Virtual Meeting
Remote, Virtual Meeting Details
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.
- Academic Accommodation Intake
- Housing Accommodation Intake
- Follow-Up
- Review current accommodations
- Problem-Solve Concerns
- Check-Ins
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.
A.S. Connect Helpful Video Tutorials
- Requesting Your Accommodations Each Semester Using A.S. Connect
- How to Complete Your New Student Application
- How to Complete a Parent Release of Information Through A.S. Connect
- Introduction to A.S. Connect E-Form Agreements
Accommodations for
UWRF Placement Testing
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:
- Your address and telephone number
- Which site you would like to test at
- Which UW
campus you plan to enroll
Email this information to tnoconno@wisc.edu, or mail to:
Tim O'Connor, 1025 West Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53706
Ability Services Jump Start Program (August 22nd-27th)
To learn more about the Ability Services Jump Start Program for first-year students, check out the link listed below.
Jump Start Program Details and Registration Interest Form
Onboarding Video Tutorials for New Students
Returning students with approved accommodations at UWRF:
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.
Enrolled students at UWRF with a new diagnosis or an intent to request 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.
Person-First VS. Identity-First Language
Learn more about person-first vs. identity-first language in the disability community
ADAAA
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.
Student Resources, Developed Spring 2020
Resources for Students
- Ability Services Weekly Office Updates (5-8-20)
- Ability Services Weekly Office Updates (5-1-20)
- Ability Services Weekly Office Updates (4-24-20)
- Ability Services Weekly Office Updates (4-17-20) (Disability Disclosure and Pre-Advising Tips)
- Ability Services Weekly Office Updates (4-10-20)
- Ability Services Weekly Office Updates (4-3-20)
- UWRF Temporary Adjustment Academic Policies Process Guide- New
- Online Learning Tips and Strategies -New
- A Guide to Telehealth, E-Visits, and Virtual Care -New
- Resource Guide for Students During Alternative Instruction
- Built-In Accessiblity Features for Windows and Mac Devices
- Free or Low-Cost Internet Options (WI)
- Free or Low-Cost Internet Options (MN)
- National Disability COVID-19 Healthcare Support and Advocacy Hotline
- COVID-19 National Community-Wide Resources (Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies)
Faculty Resources, Developed Spring 2020
