Disability Accommodations
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AT DENVER LAW
This webpage, created in partnership by the Office of Student Affairs and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Denver Law provides you with a non-exhaustive list of resources, both internal and external to DU, that we hope offer meaningful ways to gain support, find community, and obtain information for students with disabilities and accommodations. It is one way in which we seek to remind you that you belong at Denver Law. We are eager to be in relationship with you; contact the Office of Student Affairs at student_affairs@law.du.edu and DEI Office at diversity@law.du.edu. Note: The resources included here that are not DU resources are not endorsed by DU and we are not responsible for the content of, or service provided by any of these resources.
DU Accommodation Resources
Denver Law along with DU’s Disability Services Program (DSP) are dedicated to giving students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate at the University of Denver. DSP provides accommodations at no cost to any student who has a documented disability as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Accommodations are designed to afford students equal opportunity to participate in DU and Denver Law’s robust courses, activities, and programs.
How do Accommodations Work at DU Law?
All accommodations must be reviewed and approved by DU’s Disability Services Program. After accommodations have been approved, DSP will communicate your new accommodations to the Office of Student Affairs at DU Law. Student Affairs is responsible of implementing accommodations at the law school and supporting law students with accommodations. Many accommodation procedures are different at the law school then they are for DU’s undergraduate population. It is important to be in communication with Student Affairs and understand how your accommodations apply to the DU Law setting.
How can I Apply for Disability Accommodations?
- Requesting Accommodations for the first time at Denver Law:
1. Download and fill out the Intake Packet. Submit the packet and documentation from your doctor to the Office of Disability Services (dsp@du.edu) or in person at Disability Service office on the 4th floor of Ruffatto Hall.
2. After DSP has reviewed your documentation, a staff member from DSP, followed by a Student Affairs team member, will be in contact with you to let you know the accommodations for which you have been approved. The communication from Student Affairs will include how your accommodation(s) will be applied specifically within the law school.
3. All accommodations in the law school are managed through the Office of Student Affairs. Law students are NOT required to disclose disabilities and/or accommodations to their faculty unless you choose to do so.
Please Note: It can take up to six weeks for Disability Services to review your documentation, so be sure to get your documentation to Disability Services ahead of time if you wish to receive accommodations on tests and exams.
- Requesting Additional Accommodations:
To request a new accommodation, or modification to an existing accommodation, students may contact DSP by email (dsp@du.edu), phone (303.871.2278) or in person (4th Floor of Ruffatto Hall). Students may also contact Student Affairs before reaching out to DSP first. You can contact Student Affairs by e-mail, phone (303.871.6108), or in person (Ricketson Law Building, Suite 115).
Accommodations cannot be retroactive; they can only be applied to current or future course work or University programming.
- Exam Accommodations
In order to receive testing/exam accommodations, you need to be approved by Disability Services. Upon approval, Student Affairs will send you further communication about how test/exam accommodations are implemented within the law school. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, extended time testing, minimal distraction testing environments, etc.
I. UNIVERSITY OF DENVER ORGANIZATIONAL AND STUDENT RESOURCES
Denver Law Student with Disabilities Organization: Denver Law Students with Disabilities Organization is a student-run affinity group for people with disabilities. The focus of the group is to provide a supportive environment for all students with disabilities. The goal is to increase the Denver Law and the broader legal communities' accessibility and cultural competency regarding disabilities. For more information about this organization, become a member, and/or get involved, please contact the Office of Student Affairs and they will connect you with the current student leaders!
II. NATIONAL AFFINITY ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS
National Disabled Law Student Association
III. OTHER RESOURCES AND READINGS
The following resources might be useful to you as you navigate law school and the legal profession as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. We recognize that not every reading or resource speaks to the myriad of lived experiences individuals have, but we hope some of these resources are helpful. The list is non-exhaustive. We encourage you to conduct your own individualized research on these services as well as selecting a mental health professional and/or yoga practitioner more broadly. The resources included here are not endorsed by DU and we are not responsible for the content of, or service provided by any of these resources.
o Wellness & Physical/Mental Health Practitioners
• Counseling Center Referral Service: This is a comprehensive web-based platform run out of DU’s counseling center. DU community members including students, staff, and faculty can search for a provider based on the provider’s name, gender identity, language proficiencies, racial/ethnic identity, area of expertise, services offered, and insurances accepted.
• DU Health and Counseling Center: Individual and group counseling available as well as in person and phone. Groups for students of color (as well as groups for other identities) available.