Accommodations

Accommodations are a vital component of ensuring equal access and full participation in UC Merced's programs, services, and activities. Accommodations are adjustments to policies, procedures, and practices that remove barriers, which includes but is not limited to:

• educational activities,
• the workplace,
• public entertainment events,
• lectures,
• colloquia,
• meetings,
• conferences,
• social events,
• informational gatherings and activities,
• food service, and
• lodging

Religious Accommodations

If a member of the University community has a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance that conflicts with their obligation to the University (e.g., attending a class session, working on a particular day), the University will engage with that person in a good faith attempt to accommodate the identified need.

To request a religious accommodation:

• Employees
  • Inform your supervisor/department chair or designated Benefits Analyst of your need as soon as possible. Review HR's Religious Accommodations page for more information. 
• Students
  • For exam conflicts:
    • Students are responsible for providing, in writing and at the beginning of the semester, notification of a potential conflict to their instructors. Instructors will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis and determine whether such conflicts can be resolved without imposing on the instructor or the other students in the class an undue hardship that cannot be reasonably avoided. If so, the instructor will determine, in consultation with the student, a time during which the student can take the examination without incurring a penalty or violation of the student’s religious creed.
  • Other accommodations:
    • Contact the Dean of Students Office (DOS). Students can also send DOS an online request for academic accommodation (not disability-related).

Disability-Related Accommodations 

To request disability-related accommodations or to find more information related to accessibility in University services, activities, and facilities, please refer to the following campus resources: 

• Student Accessibility Services 
  • For Student access to all University programs (academic, housing, transportation, dining, etc.) 
  • The mission of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is to promote equal educational access and full participation by and for students with disabilities in the rich academic and campus life environment at UC Merced. 
  • Email: access@ucmerced.edu  
  • Location: ACS 140 cubicle 128 
  • Phone: 209-228-6996 
• Disability Management Services 
  • For Employee Accommodations
  • UC Merced Disability Management Services (DMS) staff consult university employees (faculty, staff and academic appointees) in need of reasonable accommodation due to a disability or religious belief in order to perform the essential functions of their jobs.   
  • Email: benefits@ucmerced.edu  
• Job Applicants 
  • For applicants requesting accommodations during the interview or search process 
  • Email: ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu  
  • Phone: 209-228-8247 
• Facilities Management Services 
  • For building or physical access 
  • Email: fmhelp@ucmerced.edu or FABS@ucmerced.edu 
  • Phone: 209-228-2986 
• Web Accessibility Concerns 
  • UC Merced aims to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and follow the University of California Information Technology Accessibility Policy.  
  • If you have difficulty accessing or using features on any UC Merced websites due to a disability, please reach out via our Report a Technology Barrier form. 
• Visitors and Public Access 
  • General public access requests can be made to the Accessibility Officer.
  • Accommodation requests for campus-sponsored events open to the public should be facilitated through the event coordinator responsible for coordinating the specific event. 
  • If you are experiencing difficulty requesting accommodations, please contact the Accessibility Officer and/or ophd@ucmerced.edu