The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is committed to ensuring that each student has the same opportunity to succeed during their time at UT, and Student Disability Services (SDS) is just one of the many departments working to provide an equitable education for all.
Among the available services from SDS are note-taking software and services, documents in accessible formats, interpreting and transcribing services, and testing accommodations. The top priority of the office is meeting with students and beginning the accommodations process as soon as possible. Students should not delay meeting with SDS out of concern for not having the correct documentation. However, please review the applicable SDS documentation guidelines for more information about what may ultimately be requested.
How to Get the Accommodations You Need
- Complete the Registration Form
- Complete the online Registration Form for Academic Accommodations prior to your appointment. Please be sure to include as many details as possible and upload a copy of your documentation on the form, if available. The following formats are preferred: Word, PDF, Text, or RTF file.
- Students may complete the corresponding application for Housing or Dining accommodations if needed.
- Contact SDS
- Please call us at 865-974-6087. A staff member will follow up to schedule a welcome meeting with an accommodations coordinator.
- Provide Documentation of Disability
- Review the applicable SDS documentation guidelines for more information about what should be included.
- Attend Your Welcome Meeting
- The coordinator will talk with you about your accommodation needs and begin to develop an accommodations plan with you. During the meeting, the coordinator will engage in an interactive conversation about how your disability impacts you, as well as the accommodations needed to address that impact. The coordinator will evaluate any documentation presented in advance of the welcome meeting, as well as discuss any additional documentation presented by you.
Consider Joining the Peer Mentor Program
The goal of SDS Peer Mentors is to provide support and guidance to first-year students with disabilities and to help first-year students become knowledgeable and comfortable with the campus, Student Disability Services, and college life in general. You can expect to meet weekly with your peer mentor, attend events together, receive assistance with adjusting to the responsibilities of college, and be referred to various campus resources.
“I really enjoyed having an experienced student to talk to weekly to better understand the university.”