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Director Welcome
Dear Students,
Welcome to our campus community! On behalf of Disability Services, I am delighted to welcome you as you begin or continue your academic journey with us.
Our office is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning environment for all students. We recognize that every student brings unique strengths, experiences, and perspectives to our community, and we are here to support you.
Each of you is joining us at a time of growth. We are preparing for a mid-year transition from our Clockwork database to a new product, AIM. Currently, we are navigating through some staff turnover. Some of you returning to DS will receive notification that your AC has departed. Don’t worry, we have your information and previous session notes. You do not need to schedule an appointment with an Access Coordinator unless you require additional accommodation. This will keep appointments open for new students. Don’t forget to send out your accommodation letters and, if eligible, book your exams and inform us of the courses you will need notes in.
College is a time of growth, discovery, and achievement. We encourage you to take advantage of the many resources available across campus, build meaningful connections with your peers and faculty, and engage fully in campus life. Remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, and our office is one of many resources available at UMass to provide guidance and support.
We are excited to be part of your journey and look forward to working with you throughout your time here. We encourage you to check your emails for regular updates and correspondence. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with questions or concerns. We have drop-in hours for assistance:
Tuesdays: 1:00–3:00 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Format: Virtual (via Zoom) or in person
Best wishes for a successful and rewarding academic year.
Sincerely,
AnnMarie P. Thorpe
Director, Disability Services
Disability Services Update
Disability Services Update
Plan Now for Housing for 2026–2027
Plan Now for Housing for 2026–2027
The Fall 2026 semester classes have been loaded into Clockwork. If you have an approved accommodation in place, you can now login to Clockwork and send out your accommodation letters to your instructors.
As a reminder, once your accommodations have been established with our office, they are available to you for the duration of your time at UMass; you do not need to meet with an Access Coordinator simply to re-review your existing accommodations, though you can meet to request additional accommodations as the need arises. Please note that Fall is our peak season and it could take 3~5 weeks to find a meeting availability with Access Coordinator. If you are seeking an additional accommodation request, please schedule an appointment with your assigned Access Coordinator as soon as possible.
Our website has instructions on how to send accommodation letters to your instructors, presented multi-modally with varying levels of detail. Whether you just need the overview of the process, want a 2-page PDF guide with a few screenshots, or prefer an in-depth, step-by-step video tutorial, all of that is included on the webpage.
Disability Services Weekly Drop-In Hours
Disability Services Weekly Drop-In Hours
Disability Services offers weekly Drop-in hours for students who have questions or concerns about accommodations or are seeking guidance on how to implement accommodations within the unique structure of a specific course.
Whether you have questions about how an accommodation works, how to implement it effectively, or how to navigate a specific situation, we are happy to provide guidance.
Fall 2026 Drop-In Hours:
Tuesdays: 1:00–3:00 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Format: Virtual (via Zoom) or in person
Dates: August 17–December 29, 2026
Meet Our New Learning Strategist: Rebecca Potter, M.Ed., Ed.S.
Meet Our New Learning Strategist: Rebecca Potter, M.Ed., Ed.S.
Hi there! I'm Becca (she/her), a Learning Strategist and enthusiastic member of your support team. When invited to join your support team, of which you are always captain, I get to listen to what matters to you with the central aim of promoting your access to learning and growth at UMass. This means celebrating your wins, understanding what's difficult, and taking action together. In a Learning Strategist partnership, we can identify, practice, reflect upon, and adapt strategies that offer movement toward your goals. All progress counts.
Meet Our New Learning Strategist: Rebecca Francione, M.Ed.
Meet Our New Learning Strategist: Rebecca Francione, M.Ed.
Hi! I'm Rebecca (she/her), and I’m a former public-school teacher, Certified Autism Specialist, and PESI ADHD Professional with over 10 years of experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds with diverse learning needs. Fun fact: I have worked with students from over a dozen different colleges (as far flung as Kings College, London)!
I am passionate about supporting students who learn differently, and co-discovering how each individual student learns best! I have a special interest in multi-modal and dynamic learning and tapping into personal strengths to overcome academic challenges.
Important Dates
Important Dates
First Day of Classes: Tuesday, September 8
Last Day to Add or Drop any Class with No Record - matriculated undergrad and non-degree students: Monday, September 14
Last Day to Add or Drop any Class with No Record – matriculated grad students: Monday, September 21
Registration Begins for Spring 2027: Monday, November 9
Deadline to Book Final Exams in the Exam Proctoring Center: Friday, November 20
Last Day of Classes: Tuesday, December 15
Final Exams Begin: Thursday, December 17
Introducing the New UMass Inclusive Learning Webpage
Introducing the New UMass Inclusive Learning Webpage
UMass Inclusive Learning (UIL) offers anyone 18 and older with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities a college experience. We are an official Massachusetts Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (MAIPSE) program, but offer non-MAIPSE options as well.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Disability Services at Orientation Events
Disability Services at Orientation Events
New International Students: Visit Us at the Office of Global Affairs Resource Fair
New International Students: Visit Us at the Office of Global Affairs Resource Fair
Are you an incoming international student? Stop by the Office of Global Affairs’ Resource Fair on Tuesday, September 1, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in the Campus Center Auditorium!
Visit the Disability Services table to learn more about the types of accommodations available to you, how to request accommodations, and how Disability Services can support you during your time at UMass.
Learn more about New International Student Orientation on the OGA website.
New Graduate Students: Come See Us at Welcome to UMass Graduate School (WUGS)
New Graduate Students: Come See Us at Welcome to UMass Graduate School (WUGS)
Are you an incoming graduate student? Stop by the WUGS Resource Fair on Friday, September 4, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm on the Goodell Lawn!
Visit the Disability Services table to learn more about the types of accommodations available to you, how to request accommodations, and how Disability Services can support you during your time at UMass.
Learn more about WUGS on the Graduate School website.
Join Us at UFEST
Join Us at UFEST
Join us, Sunday, September 6th, 3:00 – 5:00pm for UFest, one of UMass Amherst’s signature kickoff events, featuring live music, food, activities, and opportunities to connect with student organizations and various offices across the campus. It brings the campus community together to celebrate the start of the academic year in a fun, high-energy atmosphere.
Find information for new student programs on the website.
Student Affairs and Campus Life Welcome Events
Student Affairs and Campus Life Welcome Events
Stonewall Center Welcome Party
Stonewall Center Welcome Party
Find community and learn about campus LGBTQIA+ events. There will be food, giveaways, and resource tables. All are welcome.
Date/Time: September 11, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: Stonewall Center, 403 Goodell
Women of Color Leadership Network Twist and Tint Tie Dye
Women of Color Leadership Network Twist and Tint Tie Dye
Do you love tie-dye? Join us and bring a friend to make your own tie-dye designed t-shirt while you sip on drinks, meet our staff and make new friends. Open to all. Women and nonbinary students of color are encouraged to attend.
Date/Time: Thursday Sept 17, 2026 5 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Front yard of New Africa House
CMASS Hosts Cultural Connections
CMASS Hosts Cultural Connections
CMASS welcomes any and all campus community members to join us for an evening of fun and connections. Explore the room and meet representatives from registered student organizations and offices around campus. Enjoy cultural foods and beverages from around the world, as well as performances from student groups!
Date: Thursday, September 10
Time: 5:00 - 8:00pm
Location: Campus Center Auditorium
Opportunities
Opportunities
Disability Services Art Display October 2026
Disability Services would like to shine a light on the many artistic talents of our students with disabilities! If you are a student artist registered with DS, we are seeking art submissions for display in our office this October and we’d love to display your talent.
Details:
All art submissions must be matted, dry and/or fixed to protect your piece.
Submissions may also be medium to small sized canvases.
We may be able to accept limited fiber art and sculpture.
Email bmcraig@umass.edu with the subject of “Art Submission”, alongside the art medium, dimensions, title, and photo by Friday, September 18.
Please include if you would like to remain anonymous and provide a price if you wish to list your art for sale. Names will be displayed, unless anonymous.
Contact information may be provided to interested parties but will not be shared publicly.
DS reserves the right to limit pieces to those that are appropriate for display within a professional office and fit size and safety requirements.
DS will take precautions to protect your art but cannot be liable should unexpected damage occur while in our possession.
Please plan to drop off your submissions by Friday, September 25, so we can prepare for display on October 1st. Art must be picked up by artists or those who seek to purchase it by Friday, November 6. We will contact you shortly afterwards with other details. Please direct any questions to bmcraig@umass.edu.
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, 9/18: Email bmcraig@umass.edu with the subject of “Art Submission”, alongside the art medium, dimensions, title, and photo.
Friday, 9/25: Drop off approved artwork at 435 Goodell.
Thursday, 10/1: Display begins in 435 Goodell.
Friday, November 6: Plan for pick up before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6.
UNIV 100: Take PART: Positivity and Relaxation Training
Developed at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, the PART program teaches participants a variety of mind body practices and self-care interventions.
This course is pass/fail and runs for 9 weeks starting the week of September 14th. There are a variety of sessions to choose from to fit into your schedule, including sections just for graduate students.
Scholarship for Neuropsychological Testing
The Parking Services Scholarship for Accessibility is dedicated to help students who need updated psychoeducational testing, students who self-identify as being neurodivergent but are seeking formal diagnostic testing, or students who suspect they may have an undiagnosed disability. We know testing can be expensive, so we want to make it as accessible as possible. Financials should not be in the way of your diagnosis!
There is no application deadline.
Learn more about eligibility and how to apply through Disability Services.
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