Student Accessibility Services (SAS) works with students with disabilities to identify reasonable accommodations and support access to Brown’s academic, residential, dining, transportation, and campus programs and services.

Students who want to request disability-related accommodations at Brown must register with SAS and complete the accommodation request process through Accommodate. Students who are already registered with SAS should also use Accommodate to manage approved accommodations and submit any new accommodation requests.

Brown University does not require students to disclose a disability or use accommodations. Self-identifying a disability and requesting accommodations are personal decisions. Students who choose to request accommodations are responsible for submitting their request, providing appropriate documentation, and meeting with SAS as part of the review process.

Step 1: Register with SAS and Submit an Accommodation Request

Log in to Accommodate to register with SAS and complete the appropriate accommodation request form. As part of the request process, you will be asked to describe how your disability affects your experience at Brown, including areas such as academics, housing, dining, transportation, mobility, or participation in campus programs.

Step 2: Upload Documentation

Students requesting new accommodations must upload supporting disability documentation through Accommodate. Documentation should help SAS understand the student’s disability-related needs and determine reasonable accommodations. Documentation is not accepted by email unless SAS has specifically instructed you to submit it that way.

Students and providers may refer to the SAS Documentation Guidelines for information about documentation requirements. Students may also ask an appropriate medical or clinical provider to complete a verification form, which the student can then upload to Accommodate.

Step 3: Meet with a SAS Accommodations Specialist

After submitting a request and documentation, students requesting new accommodations will meet individually with an SAS Accommodation Specialist. During this meeting, SAS will review the request, discuss the student’s access needs, and explain how approved accommodations are implemented. These meetings are an important part of the accommodation process. They allow SAS to better understand each student’s individual circumstances and determine appropriate accommodations.

Note: Some accommodation requests may require additional information or conversations with SAS, faculty, or other Brown staff before the accommodation can be approved or implemented. Such  steps assist SAS and campus partners in better understanding your needs and determining appropriate support.

Step 4: Complete Final Steps for Your Accommodation Request

Students will receive notification of their approved accommodations through Accommodate.  

Academic Accommodations. Once the student is notified of approved academic (course or program) accommodations, the student must send their accommodation letters directly to their faculty by submitting a Semester Request in Accommodate or by downloading the letter and emailing it to their instructors. 

Housing Accommodations. SAS will inform the student and the Office of Residential Life of a student’s approved housing accommodations. Residential placements and room assignments are determined by ResLife. Additional information regarding the housing assignment process is available on the Housing Accommodations webpage.

Dining accommodations: Once a student is notified of approved dining accommodations, students must contact Dining Services (dining_services@brown.edu) to complete a Dining Services Accommodation form, and discuss implementation of their accommodations.  

Accommodate

• Submitting accommodation requests with sufficient notice
• Providing supporting documentation regarding the student’s disability and accommodation needs
• Meeting with an SAS Accommodation Specialist when required
• Following deadlines established by SAS, faculty, Residential Life, the Registrar, or other campus partners
• Notifying faculty of approved academic accommodations for each relevant course
• Informing SAS as soon as possible if approved accommodations are not meeting the student’s access needs
• Obtaining and supplying SAS syllabi or course material lists when alternate formats are needed
• Notifying SAS of classroom locations when accessible classroom space or other advance planning may be needed
• Pursuing financial aid, state vocational rehabilitation, or other available support for personal equipment or services (personal services and devices are beyond the scope of accommodations SAS can provide)