CAE can support students who have a disability that impacts registration for courses for their degree program and establishing a term schedule that meets their disability-related needs. Some more common support CAE can provide includes eligibility for Reduced Course Load, Reduced Fee Program, Priority Registration, and Foreign Language Substitutions, among other eligibilities.
Priority Registration
Priority Enrollment allows undergraduate students to register for courses before enrollment is open to all students. CAE generally does not provide Priority Enrollment for summer classes.
What is the purpose of Priority Enrollment as an accommodation with CAE?
PE provides students with an opportunity to arrange a schedule (to the greatest extent possible) that is suitable to their disability-related needs. CAE students approved for this accommodation are able to enroll in their College/School maximum unit limit (19/20/21) during PE.
Do other groups get Priority Enrollment at UCLA?
Yes, PE groups include Regents Scholars, athletes in NCAA sports, qualified veterans, foster youth served by the Guardian Scholars Program, homeless youth, and students with dependents. If you are a student in any of these groups and CAE, let us know that you are already receiving it.
Who qualifies for Priority Enrollment as an accommodation?
Undergraduate students who may qualify for PE typically include, but are not limited to:
- Students who require a course schedule with travel time built in due to disabilities that impact mobility, speed, stamina, and/or endurance. This could include spacing out classes.
- Students who require services that necessitate significant planning and time on part of the CAE to arrange: ASL interpreters, real-time captioning, Alt Format, certain exam accommodations, etc.
- Students who require a specific schedule due to significant or chronic disabilities, or those following strict medication or treatment regimen impacting their ability to attend classes at certain times of day
Priority Enrollment does NOT:
- Apply to a student’s first quarter at UCLA, as they will register for classes during Orientation
- Guarantee availability of classes or the provision of courses/sections at specific times of day
- Make adjustments for stress/anxiety related to registering for classes, or getting classes that are needed to graduate on time
We recognize that the process of registering for classes at UCLA can be difficult. Stress related to the registration process is separate from a disability-related need for an accommodation to have equal access to your education. We encourage you to meet with an academic advisor to help you in developing alternative schedule plans, should your top choice schedule not be available.
How long do I have to enroll in my classes during Priority Enrollment?
All students have until the end of the Priority Enrollment window to add classes, regardless of start day/time.
My accommodations expire at the end of this quarter. Do I qualify for PE for the next quarter?
If your accommodations expire at the end of the quarter, you will not qualify for Priority Enrollment for the next quarter. To extend your accommodations past their expiration date, please connect with your CAE Disability Specialist for more information.
Does Priority Enrollment apply to graduate/professional students?
Priority enrollment may not be applicable to graduate and/or professional programs. The CAE will assess requests for priority enrollment on a case-by-case basis.
Foreign Language Substitution
A foreign language substitution is an accommodation approved by CAE on an individual basis through an interactive process between CAE and the student. It may be reasonable when it is evident that there are challenges in learning language related to a students’ qualifying disability. It is often seen specifically that there is a history of challenges related to language and learning languages in comparison with the student’s aptitude for learning other subjects.
Types of Documentation we look for:
- If being requested on the basis of a learning disorder, ADHD, or traumatic brain injury, psychoeducational testing is required that provides evidence of limitations related to language (i.e. auditory processing, memory, processing speed, reading abilities, receptive and expressive language abilities, etc.). CAE staff thoroughly assess the psychoeducational evaluation for a particular profile/pattern of scores that suggests difficulty learning a second language. If the scores demonstrate generally average performance for other subjects but significantly lower performance on measures relating to language, then evidence of a weakness related to language/language learning is established.
- Limitations associated with speech or communication disorders can also qualify a student for foreign language substitution. Speech pathologists would typically diagnose speech/language disorders.
- Limitations related to hearing can also qualify a student for a foreign language substitution. An audiogram would typically be reviewed.
A foreign language substitution would not be provided for:
- Non-disability related issues (e.g. English language learners, general difficulty with foreign language, disinterest in taking a foreign language class).
- Anxiety related to foreign languages.
How to request a foreign language substitution:
I am already registered with CAE:
- There is no need to re-apply to CAE.
- Please email your CAE Disability Specialist with your request- documentation from your provider specifically addressing this accommodation request will be required.
I am NOT registered with CAE yet:
- Apply for CAE Academic Accommodations.
- Provide supporting documentation.
- Monitor your UCLA email for status updates and next steps.
What happens after I am approved for a substitution?
The student will be notified of CAE’s determination.
If the request is approved as an accommodation:
- The CAE Disability Specialist will provide student with a letter of support for the foreign language substitution.
- The studentwill be directed to schedule an appointment their academic counselor/advisor to acquire a list of possible course substitutions.
If the request is NOT approved as an accommodation:
- The student can submit any additional documentation for reconsideration of their request, or other alternative accommodations may be discussed to support the student in taking a foreign language course.
Academic Petitions
Students often have the option to request support for adjustments to their degree plan directly with their academic unit (e.g., CAAC, individual academic advising units in the Schools, graduate academic programs). Some of the types of requests these units often see include:
- Dropping an impacted class
- Late add or withdrawal for course
- Approval for Single Quarter & Standard Reduced Fee Program Enrollment
- Extending your time-to-degree
- Extending an incomplete
In many cases, students registered with CAE can receive a letter or note of support from their disability specialist indicating the connectedness between their academic petition and the impacts of their disability. Your CAE Disability Specialist will engage in the interactive process to determine whether your request is directly connected to disability-related impacts and if the request is reasonable within the scope of standard expectations set for all students at UCLA. Simply being registered with CAE does not automatically guarantee that your request for support will be approved. Additionally, CAE cannot waive or remove any essential requirements or expectations of a degree program.
If you have already submitted your petition or prepared your petition to submit it to the appropriate academic unit, please complete the CAE Academic Advising Petition Request linked below at least 10 business days in advance of any deadlines/completion dates needed for your petition.If you have any questions or concerns about this type of support, please reach out to caeintake@saonet.ucla.edu.
Reduced Course Load & Reduced Fee Program
Information coming soon!