Students with Disabilities

Resources

At the UCCS Career and Innovation Center, we are committed to helping students with visible and non-visible disabilities find gainful and satisfying employment.  We hope to help with questions you may have about disclosure, accommodation and your legal rights.  

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is committed to maintaining an environment free from sexual misconduct, discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy.

Career Center Support: 

We have resources that can help you expand upon your search for a job or internship and learn more about finding support in the workplace. Finally, we encourage you to schedule a 30-minute appointment with one of our career coaches. 

Disclosing a disability is a very personal decision. We recommend taking into consideration these suggestions from the US Department of Labor:

Disclosing a disability is an individual decision. You are never required to disclose a disability at any point in the interview or employment process. If you’d like to discuss disclosure or how to navigate requests for accommodation, our career coaches are here to support you in navigating that process.  

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects employees from discrimination based on a disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or applicants with disabilities in all aspects of employment including hiring, pay, promotion, firing, and more.

In addition to Handshake, there are a variety of job boards and organizations providing employment support and opportunities with a commitment in recruiting individuals from diverse backgrounds:  

  • ABILITY Jobs – Largest job site for people with disabilities with job board, company directory and online career fair  
  • ABILITYE.com – Disability entertainment talent resource  
  • AbilityLinks – Connects a dynamic talent pool of applicants to inclusive employers
  • Chronically Capable – Employers who provide support for job seekers living with chronic illness
  • disABLEDperson – Job board from companies committed to hiring individuals with disabilities  
  • Galt Foundation – Nonprofit staffing employment company expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities  
  • Jobs Ability – Organization works with hiring managers and disability advocacy organizations in each community to build bridges towards employment.  
  • GettingHired.com – Job board and resources to connect diverse talent with employers who are cultivating accommodating environments
  • Workforce Recruitment Program – The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs. Schedule A Hiring Authority Needed.
  • 211 System – United Way connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities  
  • One-Stop Career Center – Federal Employment Assistance and Service Locator
  • State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies – Assists individuals with disabilities with training, education and funding  

This office facilitates the journey for students with disabilities toward becoming confident, self-advocating and independent adults. They promote an equitable and inclusive experience by providing reasonable accommodations for students and advancing awareness and education within the campus community.

Student Info:

Accommodations:

Resources:

Faculty & Staff:

  • Disability Resources – Promotes an equitable and inclusive experience by providing reasonable accommodations for students and advancing awareness and education within the campus community.
  • Office of Inclusive Serivces – Supports students with intellectual disabilities to attend college alongside their peers without disabilities. Interested in becoming a peer mentor? Click Here.
  • Office of Human Resources – Provides accommodation for Faculty and Staff. The Office of Human Resources functions as the central point of contact to receive all requests for reasonable accommodation and to receive all documentation required to determine disability status for faculty, staff and student employees at UCCS. This position also interprets and applies federal and state laws regarding equal access for faculty, staff, students, and visitors with disabilities, monitors and ensures compliance, and develops and implements internal measures and/or reports which inform the University administration of the status of ADA compliance and opportunities for people with disabilities.
  • Veteran and Military Affairs – The McCord-Herbst Student Veteran Center is open to all military-affiliated students with free beverages, snacks, study areas, computers and military-friendly resources. Located in Gateway Hall next to the Gateway Garage on campus.
  • UCCS Office of Financial Aid – Helps students identify and understand their university financial options and provides information and guidance.
  • UCCS Scholarships – Each year, UCCS students are awarded almost $14 million in scholarships from institutional, local, state and national sources.  
  • Academic Advising – Supports incoming and current students with developing an academic plan, course selection, transferring credits, auditing seniors’ coursework, and so much more.
  • Excel Centers – A network of four centers, each offering a unique program of academic support and tutoring to help all UCCS students succeed in every aspect of their academic careers, including languages, mathematics, multiliteracy and science. 
  • University Testing Center – Provides test proctoring services for UCCS students who need to make up a missed exam or take an exam early.
  • Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center – Provides mental health services, health services, nutritional guidance, and educational programming that are collaborative, accessible and meet the needs of a diverse student population.
  • Dean of Students Office – Maintains and administers the University Student Code of Conduct, serves as a student advocate, provides assistance to students in crisis, and supports students by directing services and programs that enhance students’ education and provide life-enriching experiences.
  • Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness, and Community (MOSAIC) – Advocates for the academic, personal, and social development of underrepresented students at UCCS. The office is located in University Center.
  • The LGBT Resource Center at MOSAIC – Provides resources and information to LGBT+ students, advocate for LGBT+ interests throughout campus, conduct outreach and education, and ensure LGBT+ voices are represented among the campus at large. To contact the LGBT+ Resource Center, call (719) 255-3447 or email lgbtrc@uccs.edu.
  • International Affairs: Education Abroad – Assists you as you start mapping your journey for an exciting and challenging international education experience.
  • Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) – COSD’s mission is to assist you, a college student or a recent graduate with a disability, to have the tools and the knowledge to a have a career of your choice.
  • Lime – global 501(c)(3) not for profit that’s rebranding disability through achievement. Through our private online community, we connect high-achieving students and professionals with disabilities – members of our Lime Network – to our broader network of corporate and university partners.
  • American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) – The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation.
  • National Organization on Disability (NOD) – The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the full participation and contributions of America’s 57 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life and focuses on increasing employment opportunities for the 80-percent of working-age Americans with disabilities who are not employed.
  • Disability:IN – Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide with a goal to expand opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises.