Accessibility Resources

1. Each student is responsible for requesting accommodations, auxiliary aids, or other appropriate services in a timely manner.

2. Students should request accommodations through OAR directly, but they can consult with the Office of Student Affairs at any time.

3. Students may contact OAR at any time, but they should request accommodations prior to the semester when possible, preferably at least two weeks before classes start, to ensure that there is sufficient time to coordinate and implement accommodations. While the Law School will make every effort to consider accommodation requests received after this timeframe, we may not be able to grant untimely requests for accommodations when there is insufficient time to consider and implement them.

4. Students who are entitled to accommodations will receive a memo (the “Recommendation Memo”) that includes initial recommended accommodations and instructions from OAR.  

5. Students must upload the Recommendation Memo here. For any accommodation, you must also email your memo to law-records@buffalo.edu by the following deadlines:

• Bridge Courses: At least seven (7) class days prior to any midterm or final exam
• Fall/Spring Courses: At least thirty (30) class days prior to the first day of final examinations (and for midterms, at least five (5) days prior to the exam). These deadlines should be seen as an absolute last date by which to seek an examination accommodation. 

Failure to upload your memo AND notify Records & Registration within this deadline may prevent the administration from being able to provide your accommodations. You must submit an updated memo for each semester in which you would like to receive accommodations.

6. Upon receipt of the Recommendation Memo, the School of Law reviews the recommendations to ensure that they are “reasonable” considering the factors outlined in UB’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy.

7. Under the Reasonable Accommodation Policy, certain accommodations, auxiliary aids, or other services may not be appropriate when they:

        a.  would fundamentally alter the nature or purpose of the course, assignment, or test;
        b.  are inconsistent with essential academic requirements;
        c.  would reduce or alter academic requirements;
        d.  would substantially alter the method in which the course is taught or service is provided; or
        e.  would pose a direct threat to the health and safety of the student or others;
        f.  would pose an undue financial or administrative burden.

The Technical Standards outline the essential academic requirements of the Law School’s graduate professional academic programs.

The Law School will notify the student upon completion of its review process. If the recommendations in the Recommendation Memo are deemed reasonable after consideration of these factors, the Office of Student Affairs will work with the student to implement the accommodations.

If a recommendation in the Recommendation Memo is not appropriate for a particular course or program of study, the Law School will engage in an interactive process with the student and OAR to determine if there are alternative accommodations that are reasonable and sufficient to satisfy the student’s needs. After this process concludes, the Office of Student Affairs will work with the student to implement the resulting accommodations.

8. Accommodation memos are shared with law school faculty and staff when necessary to implement or coordinate a students’ accommodations or other services. However, accommodation memos do not include any diagnoses, and students do not have to disclose their disability or diagnoses to faculty or staff.

9. Students with exam accommodations will receive an informational email prior to the start of any midterm exam/final exam period including specific accommodation details.  Each email is tailored to the individual accommodation for each student. Emails will be sent at least 24 hours prior to any midterm exam and one week prior to any final exam. This timing is contingent upon prompt memo submission to R&R.

10. Students may discuss their accommodations with law school administrators or faculty to seek advice or assistance. For example, a student may want to discuss any accommodations or needs with the Career Services Office to plan for their summer positions and long-term careers. Similarly, students should always feel free to discuss any needs or emergencies with the Office of Student Affairs.

11. Receiving accommodations through OAR and the law school does not guarantee that accommodations will be granted by the authorities responsible for required professional licensure tests, such as the MPRE or the bar exam. Most state Bar Associations have very specific requirements for granting of accommodations for the Bar Exam, which often exceed law school requirements. Students should carefully review the accommodation procedures for their specific jurisdiction well in advance of the date they plan to sit for the bar exam. Students can find a directory of state bar admission agencies here. If students need assistance in navigating this process, they can also consult with Professor William MacDonald, the Assistant Dean for Academic & Bar Success.