Accessibility Resources
The School of Law believes in providing an equitable and inclusive environment for students with disabilities.
Our Office of Student Affairs coordinates with UB’s Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) to help provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students. The OAR staff meets with students to obtain appropriate documentation, discusses the students’ needs, and provides accommodations memos.
Our Vice Dean for Student Affairs is available to students who have questions about this process, need help coordinating accommodations, have emergency or unexpected needs, or generally need support or advice.
Accessibility Resources Contact Information
UB - North Campus
60 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716-645-2608; Fax: 716-645-3116
UB - South Campus
1 Diefendorf Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: 716-645-2608
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 Vice Dean 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 an accommodations memo and instructions from OAR.
5. Students must email their accommodations memos to law-accommodation@buffalo.edu.
6. 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.
7. 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.
If an accommodation request is denied for any of these reasons, the Law School will engage in an interactive process with the student and OAR to determine if there are alternative accommodations that would assist the student in completing program requirements.
8. Students should always feel free to discuss any needs or emergencies with the Vice Dean of Student Affairs.
9. 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 in order to plan for their summer positions and long-term careers.
10. Receiving accommodations through OAR and the law school does not guarantee that accommodations will be granted by the authorities responsible for required professional tests, such as the MPRE or the bar exam. Further, each state will have it is own procedures and policies.