Planning Your Path to Access and Success Support for Your Journey

If you’re a student with a disability and need accommodations, follow the steps below. For more detailed information, review our documentation guidelines for students with disabilities.

1. Gather Your Documentation
Review our Documentation Guidelines to see what’s required. You may already have suitable records, or you can share the guidelines with your provider to get documentation that meets the criteria. If you're unsure what to submit, contact us—we're happy to help you explore your options.

2. Become Affiliated
Complete the Online Affiliation Form and submit your documentation. The form allows you to upload files and provide contact info. You can also send documentation via:

• Email: drc@uky.edu
• Fax: 859-257-2754
• In-person: Multidisciplinary Science Bldg., Suite 443

3. Schedule Your Affiliation Meeting
An accommodation consultant will reach out to schedule your initial meeting to discuss accommodation options. Before the meeting, your consultant will review your documentation and let you know if anything else is needed.

4. Attend Your Affiliation Meeting
Come prepared to:

• Talk about how your disability affects you and your learning.
• Learn how accommodations work and the steps you'll need to follow.
• Explore campus resources available to support you.
• Review your class schedule and classroom location.

The University of Kentucky is committed to providing equal access and opportunity for all students. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the university ensures that reasonable accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is responsible for coordinating academic accommodations and support services. Eligibility and appropriate accommodations are determined through a review of documentation and, when needed, collaboration between DRC staff, the student, faculty, and others to develop effective, individualized plans that support student success.

Students are encouraged to review their rights and responsibilities related to disability accommodations to ensure they fully understand the process and their role in accessing support through the DRC.

A guide from the Kentucky Department of Education designed to support students with disabilities as they prepare to begin their postsecondary education journey.

Differences between high school and college for students with disabilities. 

The U.S. Department of Education provides answers to common questions from future college students with disabilities in its online guide, Students with Disabilities: Preparing for Postsecondary Education.

One of the key differences between high school and college is that students must take the initiative to self-identify to the DRC in order to receive accommodations. 

While documents such as an IEP or 504 Plan can be helpful in demonstrating a history of accommodations and support strategies, they are not considered sufficient documentation for receiving accommodations at the college level. These documents may provide useful background information, but eligibility for services through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is based on current documentation that meets our institutional guidelines.

To learn more about what is required, please review our Documentation Guidelines for detailed information on the types of documentation we accept.

Please reach out to the DRC directly if you have questions about documentation requirements. 

Complete our online affiliation form and submit documentation. Then, a DRC accommodations consultant will contact you to schedule your initial affiliation meeting to discuss your needs.

As soon as you're admitted! Early contact helps ensure your accommodations are in place by the time classes start.

Maybe—some may carry over, while others may not. We’ll tailor your plan based on your current environment and needs.

We use an individualized, interactive process—looking at your documentation and talking with you about barriers you experience.

Yes. If you’ve had a recent injury or illness, we may be able to set up short-term accommodations.

To request housing or dining accommodations, you must first be affiliated with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Start by completing the online affiliation form and submitting documentation that supports your need for housing or dining accommodations. Be sure to submit your request early and clearly indicate your housing or dining needs. The DRC will collaborate with Housing and Dining Services to support your request.

All students must go through the housing selection process when their window opens. You are required to make a selection, even if the options initially do not meet your needs. Most students are able to choose housing that aligns with their preferences through the general selection process.

If your housing choice does not meet your needs and you are affiliated with the DRC, you may contact your DRC consultant to request accommodated housing and discuss eligibility. Please note that requesting accommodations does not guarantee an alternative housing assignment, but your consultant will work with you to explore available options.

Students who need an ESA in campus housing must be affiliated with the DRC and complete the appropriate forms. This includes providing documentation that supports the need for an ESA. More details about ESA policies and documentation requirements can be found here: UK ESA & Service Animal Policies (University of Kentucky)

Key points to know:

• All ESA requests are reviewed individually to determine eligibility.
• Approval is not automatic; submitting a request does not guarantee that an ESA will be allowed in your assigned housing.
• You must still complete the general housing selection process when your window opens, even if you plan to request ESA accommodations.

Yes. Service animals are allowed across campus in accordance with federal law. Emotional Support Animals have a separate process through housing.

Meet with your DRC consultant early, review your schedule, check accessibility of your classrooms, and route your classes so you know exactly where to go on the first day. Submit accommodation requests before classes start.

UK offers a variety of mental health and wellness supports for students, including:

• UK Counseling Center – Individual and group counseling, crisis support, and workshops.
• Mental Health Resources – Take advantage of the many mental health resources UK has to offer.
• Peer Support Programs – Student-led groups for shared experiences, coping strategies, and community connections.
• Disability Resource Center (DRC) Guidance – Support for mental health accommodations.
• Wellness & Prevention Programs – Workshops, mindfulness, and stress management resources.