Accommodations for persons with disabilities

Please note: This page contains information about requesting accommodations for the SOAR Program, placement testing, and for the school year, which are separate processes. Please read the entire page!

• Request Accommodations for the SOAR Program
• Request Accommodations for placement testing
• Request Accommodations for the school year

Confidentiality: The SOAR program takes the confidentiality of student records very seriously. Disability accommodations information will only be shared with staff members on a need-to-know basis. Requesting accommodations will NOT affect your admission, advising experience, or course selection.

To request accommodations for the SOAR Program

The provision of accommodations for SOAR applies to SOAR only.

Students or their guests needing disability accommodations for the SOAR program must check "yes" on the SOAR Disability Accommodations page during the SOAR reservation process. A CFYE staff member will contact the student or guest to make specific arrangements within two weeks after the SOAR reservation is made. Please make your accommodation requests as early as possible. Below are common accommodation requests:

• Printed materials in large print, Braille, audiotape, or electronic format
• Reader/assistant to complete forms during SOAR (student only)
• Placement test accommodations (additional instructions below)
• Assistive-listening device
• Real-time captioning
• Sign-language interpreters
• Assistance for any permanent or temporary mobility issues.
  Due to the size of the UW-Madison campus portions of the SOAR program involves walking. We offer alternate tours and bus transportation for students and guests with mobility issues during SOAR.

To request accommodations for placement testing

This section applies to placement tests only. Please see the request accommodations for the school year section for information about arranging accommodations for tests and exams during the academic year.

1. If you have used test accommodations in high school or college, and/or received test accommodations on the ACT/SAT:
   1. Check the box on the SOAR reservation form indicating that you need disability accommodations.
   2. Request a letter from an appropriate high school or college official (e.g., special education teacher, guidance counselor, principal, disability services staff) verifying your use of test accommodations in your previous school, or send a copy of the confirmation letter from ACT/SAT verifying use of test accommodations on the standardized exam. Send materials to the Testing and Evaluation Services for review no less than three weeks before your SOAR session.
      
      Testing and Evaluation Services, Room 373 Educational Sciences Building, 1025 West Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53706-1796. For general information about placement tests, contact Tim O’Connor at Testing and Evaluation Services, 608/262-9151, tnoconno@wisc.edu.
2. If you have not received test accommodations previously, but wish to be considered for accommodations at UW–Madison:
   1. Check the box on the SOAR reservation form indicating that you need disability accommodations.
   2. Send your disability documentation to the McBurney Disability Resource Center for review no less than three weeks before your SOAR session. More information on disability documentation policies is available online. Documentation can be mailed to 1305 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706. Documentation also can be faxed to 608/265-2998, 608/263-2741 (voice), 608/263-6393 (TTY), e-mail mcburney@odos.wisc.edu.

Please Note
Placement test accommodations may include extended time, enlarged text, Braille, scribes, and specialized equipment. Due to the structure and content of the exams, however, an audio version of the exam cannot be provided.

To request accommodations for the school year

Go to the McBurney Disability Resource Center Web Page, called "How to Become a McBurney Client" to learn how to request accommodations for the upcoming school year. Follow the step by step directions.

Remember that UW, Madison is a very large campus and that coordinating accommodations can be a lengthy process. Accommodations such as sign-language interpreting, captioning, or print materials in alternative formats can require eight weeks to organize. Make your requests at least eight weeks prior to the start of the semester to ensure timely services. You may also be eligible to attend an early SOAR session to facilitate this request process. Contact the McBurney center for assistance with planning.

Finally, McBurney staff would like to meet you during the summer months. When making your plans to attend SOAR, consider staying in Madison for an additional day. Schedule an appointment with the McBurney center (608/263-2741 or mcburney@odos.wisc.edu) so that we have an opportunity to better understand your requests.

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