Accessible furniture accommodations arranged by the Disability Services Center are provided to DSC affiliated students for whom the current standard classroom desks and chairs create structural limitations. Accessible furniture accommodations are approved through an interactive process between the student and a DSC Counselor. All accommodations must be supported by the documentation of the effects of the student’s disability. Examples of accessible furniture that may be requested include wheelchair-accessible tables, padded and adjustable chairs, and chairs with or without arms. You may have a furniture need or request that is more specific. In either of the cases, please follow the steps below.
Process Overview
- Registered DSC students meet with their DSC Counselor regarding accessible furniture requests.
- The DSC Counselor will notify the student of approval and send the student the Furniture Request Form via email.
- The student fills out and submits a furniture request form.
- Once received, the request will be processed and the student will be notified if anything additional is needed.
- A student must submit a new request EACH quarter.
- Any changes in furniture that are needed please contact your DSC Counselor for approval.
Student Responsibilities
Once a student who anticipates they may need specific furniture enrolls in courses for the upcoming quarter, they should physically check out each classroom where the class is scheduled to meet. If doing this proves difficult, the student can email or call the DSC office to request that the DSC meet the student on campus to assess the classrooms together or DSC can assess the space on the student’s behalf.
Please allow for 7-14 working days for the DSC to coordinate furniture accommodations. Please also note if it is necessary to purchase furniture for the student, there will be an additional delay (approximately up to one month). Due to UC Irvine’s purchasing procedures, furniture is ordered through various vendors; the DSC will work diligently to help ensure prompt fulfillment of the request. For these reasons, it is extremely important that students who believe they will need accessible furniture make their requests and provide documentation as soon as possible. Delay in making the request may result in delay in provision of service.
- Students requesting furniture accommodations must first register with the DSC office and provide appropriate documentation from their treating medical provider verifying they are unable to use existing furniture.
- New students should submit an intake form and make an appointment with their assigned DSC Counselor. Current students should make an appointment with their assigned DSC Counselor to request the accessible furniture accommodation.
- Documentation should specify the medical condition and disability resulting in a need for accessible furniture and discuss the way in which the furniture accommodates their need(s).
- Submit the Furniture Request Form as soon as possible to request furniture and preferences in the placement of specific accessible furniture.
- Contact dsc@uci.edu if furniture does not meet your needs or is moved from the location it was placed.
Faculty Responsibilities
The DSC will inform faculty regarding the placement of the specific furniture in the classroom and priority use by the student with a disability during class/lab hours.
Faculty is asked to return chairs, tables and other equipment to their original locations at the end of each class, if moved. If there are any problems with the furniture (the furniture is missing from the room, it is constantly being moved, another student is using it etc.), then it is the student’s responsibility to notify the DSC office immediately so we can address the concern(s).
- Students should bring their own cushions or orthopedic support as needed to use in the classroom. The College is not responsible for personal items left in the classroom.
- Accessible or specialized furniture provided by DSC is not prescriptive in nature and should be considered only as a means to improve classroom access.