1. Disability Services
  2. For Students
  3. Policies and Procedures

Policies and Procedures

We continually strive to keep our policies and procedures updated and visible to our students. 

We value your feedback as you read through our policies listed here. As always, if you need information not listed on our website or need these materials in printed format, please feel free to contact our office at ODS@louisiana.edu.

Explore our Policies

Aside from functioning as a support service for students with disabilities, we also assist our faculty as well as our students in serving as a testing center. This is role we take very seriously. As with any testing center, several rules must apply in order for our center to run smoothly. 

Testing Center rules are as follows:

  • Returning AND new ODS students: Please read our PDF on . 
  • You must schedule your exams at least 3 business days in advance of the exam so we can be prepared for you. 
  • Final exams must be scheduled with ODS by the final exam scheduling deadline which will be communicated to you via email. It is typically 10 business days prior to the first day of finals.
  • All book bags must be left outside of the testing area prior to testing.
  • No cell phones or smart watches are allowed in the testing area.
  • No ipods, computers, unauthorized calculators, or ANY electronic devices of any kind are allowed in the testing area.
  • If you leave the office and have not completed your exam (to attend class, etc) we must have permission from your professor to allow you to complete your exam.
  • If your professor forgot to indicate that you are allowed a calculator, notes, extra paper, etc. we MUST contact your professor before we allow any of these items in the testing room. We MUST strictly follow the instructions from your professor.
  • If you are testing on a computer, no jump drives are allowed in the computer.
  • ALL exams will be returned to faculty even if they have indicated to you that you are allowed to keep your exam. You can retrieve your exam from your professor at a later date.
  • For any discrepancy in the testing environment, your exam will be collected and your professor will be contacted. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made to this policy. Please think long and hard before you decide to cheat. You risk the possibility of ruining your academic status and possibly being expelled from the university. Faculty determine the consequences for academic dishonesty, not ODS.
  • Please note: Our testing center hours are different from University hours.  The ODS testing center is open from 7:45 am-4:45 pm Monday-Thursday and 7:45am-12:15 on Friday.  All testing must be completed by 4:45pm (M-Th) and 12:15pm on Fridays.

Appealing Accommodations determined by Disability Services:

Any student who disagrees with the academic accommodation(s) or other services that have been determined should first speak to the . The student should express his/her concerns and be prepared to offer alternative solutions. If, after consulting with the director, the student is still not satisfied regarding the proposed accommodation(s) or the provision of accommodation(s), the student should speak with the . If the student is still not satisfied with the proposed or provided accommodation(s), the student may take the matter to the ADA Committee. The director of Disability Services can provide the appeals procedure information to you. 

We encourage you to complete the internal grievance process described above but please know that at any time, you have the right to file a grievance with the Office for Civil Rights. 

The OCR office for Louisiana is located at:

Dallas Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street, Suite 1000
Dallas, Texas 75270

Telephone: 214-661-9600
FAX: 214-661-9587; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.Dallas@ed.gov

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has an adopted which provides detailed information on policies and procedures with regard to Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals, and pets.  This adopted policy applies to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. 

All requests to have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in campus housing should be directed to the Department of Housing. To apply please visit your StarRez Housing Portal in ULINK and click on Housing Forms.

If you have any questions, please email oncampusliving@louisiana.edu.

Please note the following deadlines for application:

  • Fall Semester Deadline: August 10th
  • Mid Semester Deadline: October 15th                
  • Spring Semester Deadline: January 10th
  • Mid Semester Deadline: March 15th
  • Summer Semester: May 10th

All policies and procedures for animals on campus can be found in the .

Permits for persons with disabilities may be purchased only by individuals who have a handicap license plate or placard and immobility card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.   To obtain your parking permit and receive all other pertinent information regarding parking on UL's campus, please visit the .

You can find them at 619 McKinley St. Suite 100, across from the UL Student Union.

337-482-6858

The National Voter Registration Act mandates the State of Louisiana to designate as voter registration agencies all offices in the State that provide services to persons with disabilities.  As such, the Office of Disability Services at UL Lafayette offers registered students the opportunity to register to vote. We will also provide assistance to applicants in completing voter registration forms if requested. Completed voter registration forms are then mailed to the Registrar of Voters in the appropriate parish.