At Rice University, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that supports the needs of everyone—faculty, students, staff, and the wider community. Together, we can create an experience that is accessible, equitable, and empowering for all.
Disability Services for Students Admitted to Rice University
Rice students registered with the Student Disability Resource Center may have a wide range of disabilities including learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, physical or medical conditions, sensory loss, or psychiatric or psychological conditions, etc. The SDRC establishes eligibility for disability-related assistance, notifies and consults with faculty on needed accommodations, and provides adaptive equipment or resources as needed.
Rice University is committed to providing equal opportunity and access to the educational environment. The Student Disability Resource Center supports and implements federal guidelines included in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. SDRC strives to make programs and facilities accessible to Rice students with disabilities using a wide range of disability resources.
The Student Disability Resource Center works with community and state agencies to coordinate campus services for students with disabilities admitted to Rice. For Houston area agencies, the SDRC will refer students as needed. Students from other states may want to contact their state vocational rehabilitation agencies if special equipment or services are needed while attending Rice University.
Establishing eligibility as a student with a disability
The Student Disability Resource Center will facilitate reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities admitted to Rice. A disability, as defined by federal law, is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as walking, hearing, seeing or learning. A Rice student requesting accommodations must self-identify and provide recent documentation of their disability to SDRC. This documentation is used to establish the Rice student as an individual with a disability, and provides rationale for reasonable accommodations.
New students that are admitted to Rice are advised to contact SDRC following admission to ensure eligibility is established and any needed, reasonable accommodations are evaluated and approved in a timely manner.
Student Responsibilities
A Rice student with a disability has a responsibility to contact the SDRC if any accommodations are required.
If accommodations are needed, the Rice student with a documented disability will receive an accommodation letter from the SDRC to take to each instructor. It is the student's responsibility to deliver these letters as soon as possible. Instructors expect to receive notification early in each semester; students who deliver their letters later may encounter difficulties. Good, early communication is vital to the accommodation process.
A Rice student who thinks accommodations are not being provided in the manner specified, or are not sufficient to afford access, must notify the director of the SDRC as soon as possible so the situation can be resolved. If a student chooses to discontinue use of accommodations, notification is expected.
Confidentiality
The Student Disability Resource Center respects the confidential nature of disability information, whether conveyed verbally, electronically or in writing. Students admitted to Rice can authorize the release of pertinent information to campus individuals when there is a legitimate educational reason to do so. Examples may relate to housing arrangements, academic accommodations, instructional strategies and resources, or other circumstances specific to the individual.
Disability-related documentation and information are stored at the SDRC office. A disability designation does not appear on transcripts or other master university documents. The SDRC files are not integrated with computerized university records. As well, disability status is not a part of the admissions process and will not impact whether or not the prospective student is admitted to Rice University.
Professors are aware of the confidential nature of the disability information shared with them. The accommodation letters they receive do not give diagnoses unless requested by the student. The letters merely describe the functional limitations caused by the disability and the corresponding accommodations.