Welcome to the University of Oklahoma's Accessibility and Disability page, designed to aid students as they navigate the college admissions process and explore the resources and community that exist at OU. The University of Oklahoma is committed to maintaining a supportive campus environment where each individual feels welcomed, valued, and supported for success. This page is designed to aid students and their allies as they navigate the college admissions process and explore the resources and community awaiting them on our campus.
Refer to the lists below to learn more about a variety of organizations dedicated to your success at the University of Oklahoma, both before and after you arrive on campus. This includes information about our more than 500 student organizations, academic support, financial resources, and more.
Alex De Russy
Health & Excercise, Class of 2023
From Plano, Texas
I was registered with the ADRC beginning my first semester at OU. The stigma in my high school for accomodations was very different than at OU, so I was nervous. The student assistants and staff made me comfortable and feel confident immediately, and I never felt nervous again. During my first week of college finals, I had two back-to-back exams and I started to panic. During the most hectic week at the testing center, multiple staff comforted and affirmed me that no matter what, I will get the full amount of time allotted for each exam. The advocacy and individual support the ADRC provides is a big deal.
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When students register for a campus tour, they are able to disclose if they, or their guest, will need any accommodations for their tour (For example: wheelchair accessibility or sign-language interpreter). This allows us time to make the appropriate arrangements for the visit. If you need to request a specific accommodation after you have registered for a tour, please email tour@ou.edu.
Visitors are able to visit the OU Jones Family Welcome Center and we will provide a printed campus map or you may download a campus map (pdf) as well as one of our self-guided tour pamphlets (pdf).
We also have fully virtual tour options: OU Virtual Tours
Our office is no longer offering walk-in services at this time. We highly recommend students reach out to our office to schedule an informational appointment. The ADRC can be contacted by phone at (405) 325-3852, or by email (adrc@ou.edu). Our office is located at 300 Kellogg Drive, Norman, OK 73072.
The Campus Area Rapid Transit (CART) buses provide service to the OU community in their transportation needs. Rides are free to all students, faculty, and staff with their OU ID card. The bus lines operate Monday through Friday all year (except when campus is closed). All buses are wheelchair accessible and have bike racks. Please visit the CART webpage for further information.
While most buildings have accessible elevators, there are some older buildings on campus that do not. If registering with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), our staff will help to ensure students have access to accessible spaces on campus.
Yes, please send an email to tour@ou.edu to receive information about dietary options for your visit to campus.
No, there is no difference in the application process. You will simply apply at apply.ou.edu and submit required materials.
Disclosure of disability is a personal decision, and a student is not obligated to self-identify prior to admission. OU performs a holistic review that considers your achievements within your personal context. Refer to the Undergraduate Admission webpage for further information.
Although you are not required to disclose your disability, it may be helpful to do so if it explains other materials in your application. For example, a student whose grades dropped temporarily due to a flare-up of a medical condition might wish to explain those circumstances.
Upon acceptance, incoming students seeking accommodation are advised to contact the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) as soon as possible. Because accommodations require advanced planning, early identification of a student’s needs helps to facilitate arrangements and accommodations being made in a timely manner.
No. You should not send reports such as a medical, psychological, psychiatric, or psycho-educational evaluation directly to Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment or any other university office. Professional documentation should only be provided to the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) after a student is admitted to the University of Oklahoma.
We are no longer offering walk-in services at this time. We highly recommend students reach out to our office to schedule an informational appointment. The ADRC can be contacted by phone at (405) 325-3852, or by email (adrc@ou.edu). Our office is located at 300 Kellogg Drive, Norman, OK 73072.
Every student is assigned an OU Admission Counselor based on your school, area of study, or citizenship. Your admissions counselor is here to help you explore academic options and answer any application or post admission questions you and your family may have. Use our Connect with Your Admissions Counselor tool to find your OU Admission Counselor.
After admission the first step in registering with the ADRC is to fill out the Pre-Registration form to self-identify yourself as a student with a disability and attach supporting documentation. This form can be found on our website under the Registration Process.
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) accepts many forms of documentation, so long as it has been written/compiled by a qualified professional, such as your medical/mental health provider or your previous 504/IEP committee. Please visit our Documentation Guidelines for general and specific documentation details.
There are no deadlines associated with registering for accommodations EXCEPT for final exams. View deadline to register for final exam accomodations. Students may begin the registration process at any point after being admitted to OU. However, students may benefit from registering as early as possible. Requesting certain time-sensitive accommodations later in the semester may cause students to experience delays. Time-sensitive accommodations may include housing, dietary, and reduced course load accommodations. Additionally, please note that accommodations cannot be applied retroactively.
All documentation submitted to the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is kept entirely confidential and will not be shared to any external parties. In order to access your accommodations in class, professors must be notified of your registration status and of your approved accommodations. The ADRC will not share your diagnosis/diagnoses or the information you disclose in your registration appointment to any of your professors during this notification process. All records of your disability-related information are internal to the ADRC only and great security measures are taken to ensure it is protected.
Students must request their academic accommodations every semester and will be notified of this during their Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) appointment.
Students only need to register once with ADRC.
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) can provide temporary accommodations while you are recovering from your temporary medical condition, injury, or surgery. The first step to apply for temporary accommodation is to submit a Pre-Registration form and then follow the normal accommodation request process. You can submit documentation via email at adrc@ou.edu or via fax at (405) 325-4491.
All students who will live in student housing should fill out the general housing application according to the guidelines that Housing and Food Services has set forth. Housing accommodations are determined independently from your application. Once registered with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), we will notify Housing and Food Services of your approved accommodations and adjustments to your room/building assignments will be made.
Students need to reach out to our office as soon as possible, preferably prior to the start of their semester. Registering with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) closer to or after your move-in date may cause availability-related delays.
Students with a meal plan can seek accommodations on the basis of severe food allergies, intolerances, or other dietary conditions which have risen to the level of a disability. You can reach out to the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to provide documentation for registration via email (adrc@ou.edu) or fax (405-325-4491).
There is an accommodation form that is sent by email several months prior to the start of Camp Crimson in order to request accommodations for the event.
The Campus Area Rapid Transit (CART) buses service the OU community in their transportation needs. Rides are free to all students, faculty, and staff with their OU ID card. To request assistance when boarding a bus, CART operators ask that you approach the operator after others have boarded. Do not cross the yellow line. ADA rules regarding mobility device securement are in effect. Beyond campus, the city of Norman uses the EMBARK public transportation system. EMBARK is committed to making reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, and procedures to ensure EMBARK services are accessible to everyone. Requests for modifications can be made by calling (405) 297-3705 or by emailing mobilitymanagement@okc.gov.
There are many resources for students to use during their time at the University of Oklahoma, including tutoring services and the OU Writing Center. The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has provided further study skill resources on their website.
There are many places at OU’s Norman main campus for students to find a quiet place to study. Some of our favorites include the Great Reading Room in the Bizzell Memorial Library, the Fine Arts Library, and even studying at the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Office itself. Additionally, each residential hall on campus has dedicated study spaces. Students can find IT Labs with Assistive Technologies at the following locations:
Yes, individuals with disabilities may be accompanied by their Service Animal on all University of Oklahoma campuses, with minimal exception, where members of the public or participants in services, programs, or activities are allowed. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a Service Animal is allowed access much in the same way an individual with a mobility device is able to access public spaces. For more comprehensive guidance, we recommend reviewing the ADRC's Assistance Animal Policy.
We encourage all students to join one or more student organizations while completing their studies at OU, to help build community and connect with other members of the OU family. There are several organizations on campus which have a disability focus. Here are just a few:
To find out about these clubs and the 500+ organizations on the OU campus, visit Student Life's Engage portal.
OU Fit + Rec is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes the right of every person to lead a healthy, balanced life. Fit + Rec encourages people of all abilities to participate in any programs and services offered. Fit + Rec provides a variety of accommodations and appreciates any comments or suggestions to improve the experience. For information about accessible recreation or for accommodations, please contact OU Fit + Rec at 405-325-3053 or fitrec@ou.edu.
OU Athletics believes in working and planning together so that all Sooner fans have the same opportunity to utilize OU's facilities and to enjoy every event. For information regarding accessibility with football, basketball, softball and baseball, please visit OU Athletic’s accessibility webpage. For all other sports, seating is general admission, including those in need of accessible seating. For more information, please contact the Box Office Manager with the OU Ticket Office at 405-325-3315.
Accommodations are determined through collaboration with each student and will be based upon their specific needs. Examples of accommodations that may be provided include extended testing time, testing in a reduced-distraction environment, and ensuring that class content is accessible.. We do not provide alterations or modifications to courses or course materials.
Students who are registered with the ADRC may be eligible for priority registration based on their disability. Details around this accommodation on our website soon!
Students with mobility challenges who register for classes in inaccessible classrooms or buildings can email the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to initiate a change of venue to an accessible space. Students can also be added to a mailing list by the ADRC, upon request, in order to stay up to date on potential elevator outages.
All accommodated testing is facilitated by the OU Testing Center.
Faculty only receive the information that they need to know in order to meet their responsibilities in putting accommodations in place. They do not receive private, confidential information about any underlying diagnoses.
We are here to advocate for you. Students are encouraged to involve the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in conversations with faculty about their academic accommodations so that we can clarify any questions and establish expectations moving forward.
OU's Connection and Student Engagement is here to assist you with any questions you and your family may have throughout the admissions and enrollment process. Contact us at:
Phone: 405-325-2151
Text: 405-400-1384
Email: connection@ou.edu
If you do not already receive emails from OU, fill out the Student Information Form! We will use the information you provide to connect you with academic, scholarship, admission, student life information and opportunities, and more.
For questions, to set up a meeting, or to register with the ADRC, please contact the ADRC at the following:
Website: ou.edu/adrc
Email: adrc@ou.edu
Phone: 405-325-3852
VP: 405-217-3494
