Student Accessibility Services

Register with SAS

If a student wishes to request accommodations at Brown, they must first complete the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) registration process.

Brown University does not require students to disclose a disability or impose accommodations without consent. Self-identifying a disability and requesting accommodations are personal decisions. If a student requests accommodations at Brown, that individual is responsible for completing the SAS registration process.

The SAS Online Portal is the homepage for students to access:

  • Registration (Intake Form)
  • Upload Student Files (documentation)
  • Submit Online Forms (housing accommodations)
  • Academic Accommodation Letters

How to Register

Step 1: Submit Online Intake Form

Students who are not currently registered with SAS will need to complete the online intake form. Your submission will be reviewed by a SAS staff member. Once reviewed and processed, you will be notified by our office and move on to the next steps below. After an online intake form is processed with our office, you will have access to submit documentation and/or additional accommodation forms.

Online Intake Form

Step 2: Upload Documentation

Once registered with SAS through the intake form, students must upload the appropriate documentation. Documentation is no longer accepted by email or other means.

Read Documentation Guidelines Upload Student Files

Students can request an appropriate medical/clinical provider to complete our Verification Form. The student will then upload the documentation to the Student File Upload.

Step 3: Meet with a SAS Staff Member

After submitting the required documentation, registering students meet individually with a SAS staff member to review documentation, discuss needs, and learn about how the accommodation process works.

Appointments for academic accommodations can be scheduled by calling the SAS office at (401) 863-9588. If students are submitting documentation for dining accommodations, please also schedule an appointment with a Dining Services Nutritionist at dining_services@brown.edu

If students are interested in housing accommodations, please refer to the Housing Accommodations page for more information.

We are glad to meet with students online or in person before a semester begins. These appointments are essential for students in need of academic support as we will officially approve accommodations and explain the process of communicating with faculty in this meeting. We can be reached at (401) 863-9588 during weekday business hours.

Step 4: Communicate with Faculty About Implementing Approved Accommodations

After meeting with a SAS staff member to review accommodations and needs, students will need to communicate with faculty and staff about the approved accommodations and implementation.  Students are required to do the following:

  1. Notify faculty of accommodation letters for each class via the SAS Student Online Portal.

  2. The SAS Online system will notify the faculty via email to check for letters on the SAS Instructor Portal. Make sure to request the main section for any classes where accommodations are needed.

  3. Students can optionally click the Get Letter button to download a PDF to forward to instructors via email and describe how accommodations would be implemented. Student may also include a short narrative. We have provided some template accommodation messages to use in an email to the faculty. A short paragraph will suffice.

  4. Let the professor know in the email what is the best way to communicate to ask questions regarding the approved accommodations-- either by email, setting up a zoom, or an in person meeting.  

  5. Please remember that while the professor can ask questions as to how best ensure access in class, students have a right to privacy and students do not have to disclose any information about diagnosis, disability, or medical information.

 Please reach out to SAS if there are any questions: sas@brown.edu.

Other Student Responsibilities

While SAS will support and work with students throughout this process, students seeking accommodations should be aware that it is their responsibility to:

  1. Supply supporting documentation to SAS to determine appropriate services and accommodations.   

  2. Request accommodations from SAS with sufficient notice. Every effort will be made regardless of time constraints, but since implementing accommodations often involves several offices across campus there are  deadlines for priority consideration for certain supports.  

  3. Confirm the adequacy of accommodations as soon as possible and notify SAS whenever the student encounters unsatisfactory conditions.   

  4. Obtain syllabi and lists of course materials for reproduction in alternate formats (as needed).  

  5. Adhere to deadlines established by SAS, Residential Life, faculty, the Registrar, etc.   

  6. Pursue financial aid or state vocational rehabilitation support for things above and beyond accommodations, such as personal equipment needs.

  7. Notify SAS of pre-registered classes for the following semester so accessible space can be arranged (if necessary).

General Registration and SAS Portal FAQ

If you have received approved accommodations in the past with SAS or if you previously submitted an Information & Release form and submitted documentation, this typically means you are registered with Student Accessibility Services.

If you have already successfully submitted a complete a housing accommodation request, you do not need to duplicate your request. Complete requests includes a registration form, supportive documentation, and housing accommodation request form. You would have a received a confirmation email from the Residential Life housing portal confirming you successfully submitted your request. If you are submitting a request for a new/different semester that is different than your ResLife housing portal request, then yes, you will submit a request through the SAS Online Portal.

Typically, the best time to schedule an appointment to explore accommodations is when both the online Intake Form and documentation have been submitted. Our office will notify you when we have received either of these forms. This will assist with a smoother process moving forward when renewing accommodations, and will provide SAS Counselors with helpful information when assessing for reasonable accommodations. However, you are welcome to schedule an appointment at any time.

Please allow for three business days (excluding weekends and holidays).

Additional Registration Information

View forms and materials for intake, verification, documentation guidelines as well as other specialized forms for housing and dining adjustments.
Students and their providers may refer to the Documentation Guidelines for helpful information used to determine reasonable accommodations.