Center for Disability Services
The Center for Disability Services (CDS) at Auburn University Montgomery recognizes disability as an important aspect of our campus community. CDS works in partnership with the university to provide an environment of equitable access where students are supported holistically as they fulfill their academic and professional goals. In support of this mission, CDS provides reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities through an interactive process. All students with documented disabilities who are enrolled in AUM’s degree programs may request reasonable accommodations and accessibility needs through CDS.
Center for Disability Services
P.O. Box 244023
Montgomery, AL 36124-4023
Phone: (334) 244-3631
Fax: (334) 244-3907
cds@aum.edu
Faculty Responsibilities
Faculty play a large role in the implementation of accommodations for students with disabilities and must actively participate in the accommodation process. Faculty may not refuse to provide required accommodations, question whether the disability exists when accommodations have been authorized, or ask to examine the student’s documentation.
AUM faculty are expected to:
Syllabus Statement
All students with documented disabilities who are enrolled at AUM may request reasonable accommodations through the Center for Disability Services. If you need accommodations or accessibility resources, contact CDS at (334) 244-3631 or cds@aum.edu so that such accommodations can be considered. If you have already established your accommodations with CDS, please meet with your instructor to discuss the provisions of those accommodations as soon as possible. For more information or to submit a request, visit www.aum.edu/cds.
Memo Notification Procedure
Students can request accommodations with reasonable notification at any point during the semester. Students request CDS to send their accommodation memos to faculty. Once the memos are delivered, students are instructed to set up a meeting time outside of class to discuss the requests for specific accommodations as listed in the accommodation memo. During this meeting, students and instructors are encouraged to sign the CDS Accommodation Memo virtually through the CDS Accommodate portal and make a copy for the instructor’s records.
Students with Disabilities Grievance Procedures
The AUM Center for Disability Services has the responsibility of determining a student’s need for academic accommodations. This determination is made through the reviewing of disability documentation and conducting an interactive meeting with the student requesting accommodations.
For students receiving accommodations through the Center for Disability Services, informal grievance procedures are available to resolve accommodation and other disability-related concerns in a timely manner.
The University will not discourage students from pursuing a formal grievance in lieu of the informal grievance procedures. The informal and formal grievance procedures included here apply to students who believe their rights may have been violated under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Students not registered with the Center for Disability Services also have the opportunity to file a formal grievance when they believe their rights may have been violated.
If you have any questions or concerns about informal grievances, please contact our office by email at cds@aum.edu or by phone at 334-244-3631. If you have questions or concerns about formal grievances, please contact Dr. Phill Johnson, Section 504 Compliance Officer, at 334-244-3200 or pjohns23@aum.edu.
Please open the document below to view the formal Grievance Procedure in its entirety.
Disability Services FAQ
If you have any comments or questions about this FAQ, please contact the department at cds@aum.edu or (334) 244-3631.
CDS is the only office that has access to your information regarding your disability. Professors receive accommodation memos that list your approved accommodations, but no other information is provided to them. Professors are not permitted to ask what your disability is or ask why you need accommodations. Furthermore, neither your accommodations or your disability is listed on your transcript or any academic record.
Unfortunately, we cannot. Students are responsible for submitting their accommodation renewals each semester via our portal—that notifies CDS to send memos to faculty. Accommodation memos are not automatically delivered to faculty. Once the memo is received, please meet with your professors to discuss the implementation of your accommodations and reach out to CDS if there are any questions or concerns. We are happy to help prepare you for this conversation.
It depends. Additional documentation may be needed depending on your request. Please reach out to CDS to discuss your individual situation.
Please refer to our documentation guidelines, included here.
Please reach out to CDS. We will work together to review what you have or suggest resources that will assist you with documentation.
Yes, absolutely. Additional documentation may be needed to support your request.
You do not. For example, you may be taking in-person and online courses during the same semester. Some of your accommodations will not pertain to online work and vice versa. You may be enrolled in courses for which you do not need accommodations at all. It just depends—you are in control of what accommodations you use for each class. CDS Staff will help you make this determination.
Unfortunately, accommodations are not retroactive and begin only when the request process is complete. However, please address your concerns with CDS and we will make suggestions or offer resources based on your individual situation.
Our Staff Members
Jess Mazaheri
Director
