Assistance for Students with Disabilities

The Law School addresses the needs of students with disabilities within the context of University policy. The University of Chicago is a community of scholars, researchers, educators, students, and staff members devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. In keeping with its traditions and long-standing policies and practices, the University, in admissions and access to programs, considers students on the basis of individual merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or other factors irrelevant to study at the University.

The University strives to be supportive of the academic, personal, and work-related needs of each individual and is committed to helping those with disabilities become full participants in the life of the University.

Accommodations Process

Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Student Disability Services and the Dean of Students in a timely fashion to initiate the process of requesting accommodations. 

New Law Students

Start by registering with Student Disability Services. Detailed instructions

  1. Complete and Submit the Student Disability Services Request Form
  2. Submit current and comprehensive documentation for your disability(ies). Documentation Guidelines
  3. Meet with an SDS staff member to discuss the impact of your disability and potential accommodations. 
  4. SDS will review your request and consult with campus partners to determine whether or what accommodations would be appropriate. 
  5. SDS will send an Accommodation Determination Letter to you, and to the Law School Dean of Students Office
  6. Jesse Landstrom, Sr. Associate Director of Advising and Wellness Programs, will follow-up to confirm receipt of the letter, and provide additional information about how your accommodations will be implemented at the Law School.

The student and the Law School Dean of Students will maintain contact as appropriate in ongoing efforts to accommodate the student. For additional information on University policy in this area, see the University's Student Disability Services website.

Continuing Students and Temporary Accommodations Students who are not new and have been enrolled at the Law School should follow the same process for accommodations as new Law students. 
Students from Other Divisions Contact Jesse Landstrom, Sr. Associate Director of Advising and Wellness Programs, prior to the start of the quarter you will take a LAWS course. Include a copy of your Accommodation Determination Letter, and the course(s) you are registered for. 
Accommodations and Faculty Students should not contact faculty for accommodations as the Law School prefers to maintain the anonymity of students with accommodations. Please refer all accommodations and related questions either to the Dean of Students or the University's Office of Disability Services.  

Student Support

The Dean of Students Office is here and available to support your needs. Please reach out to us for specific support. If you have already received approval from Student Disability Services and would like to discuss your accommodations with us, here are the points of contact:

  • Jesse Landstrom - Sr. Associate Director of Advising and Wellness Programs (Academic accommodations including note taking, alternate format materials)
  • Jim Courtney - Associate Registrar (Exam accommodations, classroom seating accommodations)

Students who have not yet been approved for accommodations and have questions are encouraged to meet with Jesse Landstrom.

For building issues and requests or to report broken or inaccessible spaces: Building Services Request Form

Expecting Students

For expecting students, they should contact the Office for Access and Equity:

  • To access the Pregnancy Accommodation Request form, please complete the form found here for review by a staff member within Equal Opportunity Programs.

For academic policies and resources, expecting students should visit the Law School's Students with Families page. 

Parking

Students looking for more information about accessible parking on campus should contact Student Disability Services at 773.702.6000 or email disabilities@uchicago.edu. In order to receive accessible parking in the Law School parking a lot, a student will need to provide all required documentation and will need to have a state-issued accessible parking permit. Once a student has been approved for accessible parking, they should be in touch with the Law School Dean of Students. Information on fees for a monthly parking permit can be found here

Event Accommodations

The Law School wants to ensure that all members of the community are able to participate in student events and activities. For accommodations related to a student organization event, contact that student organization or Candace Mui, Associate Director for Student Affairs and Programs. For accommodations related to a Law School event, please contact the Office of Events

Bar Exam Accommodations

Students with accommodations from the University of Chicago should keep in mind that the process for requesting and receiving test accommodations for the Bar Exam will vary from state to state. Graduating students who anticipate requesting test accommodations for the Bar Exam should review the state website where they plan to take the exam, including all deadlines and requirements. For more information, see the Bar Information for Applicants with Disabilities from the ABA.

MPRE Accommodations

Beginning with the March 2020 MPRE, candidates must apply for accommodations prior to registering and scheduling a test appointment with Pearson VUE. There is no cost to apply for accommodations.

We strongly advise applicants to request accommodations well in advance of their preferred MPRE test administration, and preferably by the Recommended Submission Date for that administration (see table below). Requests are reviewed in the order they are received. Accommodations must be approved before you register and schedule a test appointment with Pearson VUE testing center. New or additional accommodations cannot be added to an existing testing appointment. 

Test Administration Date Recommended Submission date Registration Deadline
August 9 or 10, 2023 April 24, 2023 June 8, 2023 (Registration Opens Dec. 13)
November 2 or 3, 2023 July 24, 2023 September 12, 2023 (Registration Opens Dec. 13)

To request MPRE accommodations, please visit: http://www.ncbex.org/exams/mpre/ada-accommodations/ 

For questions regarding the application process, please email: mpre.ada@ncbex.org 

Verification of Accommodations for the MPRE and Bar Exam

Student Disability Services can complete the forms needed to verify your approved accommodations at the University of Chicago. Additional information and instructions for sending the form

Accommodations for Graduation

For all graduation ceremony activities, both students and guests are eligible for accommodations. Students needing accommodations should contact the Office of the Dean of Students. 

For visitors, please follow the instructions to request accommodations on our Graduation website. 

Student Organization & Support

For students looking to connect with other students on the topic of accommodations or disability rights, we encourage you to connect with our Law School student organization Disability Rights, Advocacy, and Community (DRAC).