ARC can certify students with disabilities to take reduced course loads for the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, Amigo Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, and any other scholarship accepted by the UNM Financial Aid department. The deadline to submit the paperwork for this accommodation is always the third Wednesday of the fall and spring semesters.

Because these two accommodations require a more in-depth explanation, we have created a separate page to describe the Attendance Adjustment and Deadline Extensions accommodations.

Accessibility Resource Center schedules signed language interpreters when it is determined to be a reasonable accommodation. We will schedule signed language interpreters for both academic and University co-curricular activities when the student makes this request. Requests for interpreter services must be made at least one week prior to the event or activity taking place in order for Accessibility Resource Center to have enough time to contact and schedule a qualified interpreter. Please see Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services for additional information.</p?

A real time captioner is a stenographer similar to those used in court settings. All verbal communication that transpires during the class session is transmitted onto the screen of the student’s laptop computer via a remote real time captioner. When the class is over, the student is given a copy of their class notes. Please see Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services for additional information.

The University of New Mexico may allow course substitutions for students receiving Accessibility Resource Center services, based on strong documentation of a weakness related to the disability in a specific area. A student must write a letter of appeal and meet with the student’s Accommodations specialist from Accessibility Resource Center. The letter of appeal or departmental form should contain at least the following:

• The student’s name, address, student identification number, and major
• A description of the request
• An explanation of the student’s disability
• Rationale for the request
• Any history of previous attempts to complete courses similar to the general education subject
• Any history of similar requests granted by any college, university or high school

A letter from Accessibility Resource Center should accompany the student’s request verifying the disability, date of initiation of services, and an indication of how long the student has had the disability.

Action by the University

The following outlines the procedure for the implementation of a course substitution.

• The student’s academic advisor will review the student’s request.
• The potential impact on the student’s degree and potential substitution course(s) will be determined by the appropriate program.
• All information will be forwarded to the designee of the College Dean.
• The Dean’s office makes the final determination on the appropriateness of the request.
• The Dean’s office will notify the student in writing of its decision.
• If they deny the request, the student may request reconsideration by the Academic Adjustment Policy Committee by writing another letter and providing any new material the student deems pertinent.
• If they deny the request a second time, they will require the student to meet the University requirement. The Academic Adjustment Policy Committee will notify the student in writing of its decision.
• If they approve the request, the Academic Adjustment Policy Committee will notify the student in writing of its decision.

UNM Policy 2310 on academic adjustments for students with disabilities allows for 15 days for a decision to be made.

On occasion, it is necessary to employ educational assistants so equal access can be provided. Arrangements are made by Accessibility Resource Center in consultation with faculty. The purpose of the assistant is to perform tasks under the verbal direction of the student with the disability, due to the student's limited sight or mobility. Lab courses are a typical example of when an educational assistant may be used.

Because this unusual accommodation requires a more in-depth explanation, we have created a separate page to describe the Remote Attendance accommodation.