Navigating Accessibility at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide to the CAE Student Portal

The UCLA Center for Accessible Education (CAE) is dedicated to ensuring equal access and participation for students with disabilities. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the CAE student portal, its functions, and how it facilitates academic accommodations for eligible students.

Introduction to the UCLA Center for Accessible Education (CAE)

The UCLA Center for Accessible Education (CAE) is the central administrative body responsible for upholding UCLA’s commitment to providing access and participation for all students with qualifying disabilities or medical conditions. The CAE ensures academic accommodations are in line with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). By providing access to the numerous educational opportunities available at UCLA, the CAE empowers students to achieve their academic potential.

Definition of Disability

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a disability is defined as:

A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
A record of such an impairment.
Being regarded as having such an impairment.

A "qualified student with a disability" at the postsecondary level is one who meets the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in the institution's educational program or activity.

The myCAE Portal: A New Accommodation Management System

UCLA CAE has launched myCAE, a new accommodation management system. The myCAE Instructor Portal provides faculty with access to accommodation letters and resources to support students with disabilities.

Accessing Accommodation Letters via the Faculty Portal

Instructional staff can view a student’s accommodation letter via the Faculty Portal once the student submits a request for accommodations via the Student Portal. Only accommodations related to classroom instruction will be visible. A YouTube video provides instructions on how to view student accommodation letters.

Faculty Responsibilities

Faculty members play a critical role in ensuring access for students with disabilities. The Faculty Handbook and CAE webpages offer guidance on how to support students with disabilities at UCLA. Accommodation letters inform faculty about the academic adjustments needed for students to have full access to learning and on-campus engagement.

Implementing Alternative Assessment Formats

Faculty are encouraged to consider alternative exam formats that do not involve proctoring. UCLA’s Alternative Assessment Recommendations provide more information on alternative assessment ideas.

Communication with CAE

Proactive and regular communication with faculty is a priority for the CAE. Faculty are welcome to attend Disability Specialist Drop-Ins to get their questions answered. Quarterly updates and a monthly newsletter provide useful information to campus partners on supporting disabled students.

Navigating the CAE Student Portal: A Step-by-Step Guide

The CAE student portal is designed to facilitate the accommodation process for students with disabilities. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the portal:

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Step 1: Completing the CAE Application

The first step involves completing the CAE application. Applying early is recommended, as applications can take up to two weeks to review, and during peak times like the Fall quarter, it may take three to four weeks.

Online Request for Accommodations Form: Complete the online form to initiate the process.
Temporary Disabilities: Students with temporary disabilities (e.g., concussion, broken bone, surgery) will have their applications expedited.
Returning Students: Students previously registered with the CAE do not need to reapply. They can request accommodation letters directly through myCAE or submit an additional accommodation request for review by their specialist.

Step 2: Submitting Supporting Documentation

Submitting supporting documentation of disability and functional limitations is encouraged but not always required. For observable disabilities, documentation may not be necessary. If documentation is needed, students can ask their medical provider to fill out the Verification of Disability form.

Step 3: Scheduling an Initial Appointment

After the application is reviewed, new applicants will be approved to schedule an initial appointment through myCAE. During the appointment, the CAE Disability Specialist will ask questions to understand accommodation requests and determine approved accommodations. The specialist will also review how to request accommodations, use the myCAE Student Portal, and other pertinent information.

Step 4: Requesting Accommodation Letters

Through the myCAE Student Portal, students can request that their accommodation letter be viewable in the online Instructor Portal for each of their instructors.

Understanding Accommodation Letters

Accommodation letters are crucial for informing faculty about the specific accommodations a student needs. Here’s what you need to know:

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Purpose of Accommodation Letters

Accommodation letters inform faculty of a student's approved accommodations, ensuring they are aware of the necessary support.

Accessing Accommodation Letters

Students must request that their letters be made available for viewing via the Student Portal. Only students who have made this request will have a letter on the faculty portal screen. The CAE encourages students to make their letters available as early as possible in the quarter.

Viewing Accommodation Letters

To view accommodation letters, faculty members can log in using their UCLA logon and password, click on "Courses" to upload an exam, or "Accommodation Letters" to view the letters of students in their courses.

Confirming Receipt of Accommodation Letters

After clicking on “View Letter,” faculty should review the accommodation letter and confirm receipt. This step is essential to ensure that accommodations are active.

Types of Accommodations Offered by CAE

The CAE offers a variety of accommodations to support students with disabilities. These accommodations are designed to mitigate the impact of barriers in the standard academic setting.

Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodations mitigate barriers in the standard exam setting, allowing students with disabilities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Flexibility Accommodations

Flexibility accommodations provide adjustments to course requirements and modality. These may include adjusted attendance, adjusted deadlines, remote access, and alternative means of participation in the course.

Notetaking Accommodations

Notetaking accommodations assist students who face challenges with processing information from class meetings. These may include Glean, Otter Voice Notes, peer-notetaker, audio recording, or other tools identified by the student's Specialist.

Communication Access

CAE provides assistance to enrolled D/deaf or hard-of-hearing students so that they may obtain aids or accommodations to university academic programs, services, and activities.

Alternative Formats

Students with visual or learning disabilities who are unable to read standard printed material may have classroom materials converted into alternative formats, including Braille, e-text, and large print.

Registration Assistance

CAE can support students who have a disability that impacts registration for courses for their degree program and establishing a term schedule that meets their disability-related needs. Common support includes eligibility for Reduced Course Load, Reduced Fee Program, Priority Registration, and Foreign Language Substitutions.

Adaptive Furniture

The need for adaptive furniture accommodations is approved through an interactive process between the student and a CAE Disability Specialist and must be supported by documentation.

Assistance Animals

Students may choose to have an animal accompany them during activities they conduct on campus to support their disability-related needs. The types of animals allowed include service animals, service animals in training, and assistance animals.

Accessible Parking and Transportation

A variety of resources and programs exist to support students' needs for accessible parking and transportation on-campus.

Other Support

CAE can support students in ways outside of the accommodation categories listed above.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Staying informed about important dates and deadlines is crucial for both students and faculty. Here are a few key dates to keep in mind:

*Application Priority Deadline for Spring Quarter Accommodations: Friday, February 20th*Last Day to Schedule Exams for the Spring Quarter: Friday, February 27th*Last Day for Intake Appointments for the Spring Quarter: Friday, February 27th*Last Day to Complete the Intake Process for the Spring Semester (Law School Only): Friday, April 3rd

Addressing Common Questions and Concerns

Why Provide Academic Accommodations?

UCLA is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have full access to all aspects of the university experience, in compliance with federal and state laws and University policy. Academic accommodations are designed to provide that access.

Disagreement with an Accommodation

If a faculty member believes that a specific academic accommodation fundamentally alters the program of study, they should contact the CAE.

Requests for Unspecified Accommodations

Faculty should not provide additional accommodations for which they have not received documentation from the CAE without first speaking with a Disability Specialist.

Student Conduct

Students with disabilities are held to the same code of conduct standards as any other student in the course.

Missed Exams

If a student registered with the CAE misses an exam, faculty should consult with a CAE Disability Specialist and refer the student to the CAE.

Retroactive Accommodations

Generally, academic accommodations are not applied retroactively. Accommodations are implemented only when a student chooses to disclose their disability status to the CAE and makes a request for academic adjustments.

Extending Deadlines

Extensions are handled on a case-by-case basis. If the need for an extension is related to the student's disability, faculty should refer the student back to the CAE Disability Specialist if they have not previously received notification about extensions as an accommodation.

Notifying Faculty of Accommodation Needs

Students can notify a faculty member of the need for accommodations at any time during the quarter by requesting their accommodations via the Student Portal. Students are encouraged to notify faculty as early as possible in the quarter.

Inquiring About Disabilities

A direct inquiry about a possible disability is not recommended. Treat a student-of-concern as any student would be treated, and suggest a conference to discuss concerns about the quality of their work privately.

Confidentiality

Instructors must maintain a policy of strict confidentiality about the identity of a student with a disability and the disability-related accommodations the student requires.

Temporary Conditions

Conditions that are minor and temporary (such as a cold or the flu) do not qualify as disabilities under the ADA. However, a short-term illness or other impairment may qualify as a disability if it is severe.

Syllabus Statement

Faculty are encouraged to include a statement in the course syllabus directing students to the CAE to register for disability-based accommodations.

Additional Resources and Support

The CAE provides various additional resources and support services to assist students and faculty.

Assistive Technology

The CAE offers individual consultations on assistive technology to support learning and integrating technology into learning processes.

CAE Staff Updates

New team members have been hired to enhance support services, including an Assistive Technology Specialist and Alternative Formats coordinators.

Testing Center Reminders

Faculty should confirm the student's accommodation letter and provide exam information to the CAE Testing Center.

Pregnancy Accommodations

Students may be eligible for reasonable accommodations and CAE services for pregnancy-related complications or other conditions that constitute a disability.

Drop-in Hours

Disability Specialist Drop-in Hours are available for students, staff, and faculty to answer quick, general CAE questions.

Remote Access

CAE continues to work with disabled students to identify support for flexibility in courses, which may include accommodations allowing for remote class attendance.

tags: #ucla #cae #student #portal #information