About

Vision

Mission

We envision a fully accessible, integrated, and universally designed campus community.  We recognize the social model which views disability as an identity and a valued aspect of diversity. We recognize that a diverse community broadens our understanding and appreciation of the contributions of each individual.

In collaboration with the University community, the Office of Disability Services (ODS) is committed to ensuring educational access that enhances the lives of students with disabilities. Our work enriches the campus environment by supporting the institution in its collective responsibility to provide an accessible education.

Goals

Disability Experts:  Provide institution-wide leadership and guidance on academic accommodations, ADA and Section 504 compliance, and Universal Design for Learning. ODS staff engage in ongoing professional development to remain knowledgeable content experts and ensure adherence to the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) professional standards.

Campus Partners: Cultivate partnerships with faculty and staff to provide consultation and training, ensure compliance, and promote inclusive education. ODS staff develop collaborative relationships with members of our campus community and serve as a resource regarding barrier removal and the provision of academic accommodations.

Student Support: Support and advise students in the accommodation planning and implementation process, collaborate with students to determine reasonable academic accommodations, and provide case management. ODS staff empower students to understand disability civil rights and how to navigate conversations about access. ODS staff promote inclusive environments and sense of belonging to enhance the experiences of disabled students.

ODS Staff

To schedule an appointment, or for general questions about ODS services, please call (205) 348-4285 or e-mail ods@ua.edu.

Rebecca Allen

Testing Services Associate I

odstesting@ua.edu

205-348-2716

Brittanie Childers

Administrative Assistant I

ods@ua.edu

205-348-4285

Brittanie Childers

LeCretia Crumpton

Testing Services Associate I

odstesting@ua.edu

205-348-2716

Jennifer Dailey, LMSW

Accommodations Specialist II

jennifer.dailey@ua.edu

C&IS majors, Marketing majors

Jennifer Dailey

Elijah Deem

Testing Services Associate I

odstesting@ua.edu

205-348-2716

Yanine Franklin, M.Ed., CRC

Accommodations Specialist II

yanine.franklin@ua.edu

Engineering, Natural Science majors

Yanine Franklin

Vanessa Goepel, LPC-S, ADAC

Executive Director

vanessa.goepel@ua.edu

Crossing Points Program, Course substitutions

Vanessa Goepel, MA, LPC-S

Abi Gossett

Testing Services Coordinator

adgossett@ua.edu

205-348-2716

Professional headshot of Abi Gossett

Brittany Gregg, LPC, ADAC

Assistant Director of Accommodations

bmgregg@ua.edu

Standardized Exams, Study Abroad

Amy Hagedorn, MS, CCC-SLP

Accommodations Specialist III

amy.hagedorn@ua.edu

Students who are Deaf, blind, hard of hearing, or have low vision

Drew Hernandez, MA

Accommodations Specialist I

ahernandez39@ua.edu

HES majors, Nursing, Community Health Sciences

Lindsey Hughey, JD, ADAC

Assistant Director of Operations

lindsey.hughey@ua.edu

Testing Center and office operations

Lindsey Hughey, JD

LaCronica Lawson

Administrative Assistant I

ods@ua.edu

205-348-4285

Chris Lee, MA

Accommodations Specialist I

ctlee@ua.edu

Arts/Humanities/Literature majors, Education, Social Work

Michelle Reedy

Accounting Assistant III

mareedy@ua.edu

Records requests, Office Manager

Michelle Reedy

Debbie Sutton, JD

Accommodations Specialist II

dasutton@ua.edu

Law, Continuing Studies, and Social Science majors

Debbie Sutton, JD

Get in Touch

The Office of Disability Services is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The ODS Testing Center maintains later hours for exam proctoring.

Location: Houser Hall 1000

Email: ods@ua.edu

Phone: 205-348-4285