Rights and Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities
At KAUST, students with disabilities are valued members of our academic and campus community. We are committed to ensuring equal access to all aspects of university life and to upholding the rights of students with disabilities while outlining shared responsibilities in the accommodation process.
As a student with a disability at KAUST, you have the right to:
- Reasonable accommodations and adjustments that support equitable participation and remove disability-related barriers.
- Choose whether to disclose a disability and whether to engage with Disability Services.
- Choose whether to use approved accommodations.
- Be treated with respect, dignity, and professionalism throughout the accommodation process.
- Have disability-related information handled confidentially and shared only on a need-to-know basis.
As a student with a disability at KAUST, you have the responsibility to:
- Meet all academic and behavioral standards, including essential requirements for courses and programs.
- Self-identify to Disability Services when an accommodation is needed and engage early in the process to ensure timely support.
- Provide information that explains how your condition impacts your ability to access the learning or campus environment.
- Participate in the interactive process with Disability Services to develop, clarify, or adjust accommodations as needed.
- Notify Disability Services promptly if you experience any concerns with your accommodations or encounter disability-related access issues on campus.
Rights and Responsibilities of KAUST
KAUST has the right to:
- Uphold university policies related to academic integrity, student conduct, and program design.
- Request current and appropriate documentation, submitted through Disability Services, to support an accommodation request.
- Decline a requested accommodation if it is not supported by documentation, fundamentally alters a program, or creates a significant health or safety risk.
- Explore alternative but equally effective accommodations during the interactive process when needed.
KAUST has the responsibility to:
- Provide information, services, and materials in formats that are accessible to students with disabilities.
- Implement reasonable accommodations in a timely manner to support full participation.
- Evaluate students based on their abilities and performance, not on the presence of a disability.
- Protect the confidentiality of disability-related records and communications, in accordance with university policy and applicable law.
Your Privacy Is a Priority
When you register with Disability Services, your information is kept private and is only shared with others when it is necessary to support your access. We do not disclose your diagnosis or medical details to instructors, staff, or peers. The only information we share is what is needed to implement your approved accommodationsā€”for example, that you are eligible for extended exam time. Faculty and staff are not told the nature of your disability unless you choose to share it.
Secure Records and Communication
- Your records are stored securely in the University's protected student system (Maxient). You will be asked to upload any required documentation directly through a secure online form. We do not accept physical copies.
- We communicate with you privately, whether in person, by phone, or through secure virtual platforms.
- We communicate with faculty and staff using official university email, and only as needed to arrange your accommodations.
Who Has Access to Your Records
Only Disability Services and authorized university personnel who are involved in your accommodation process or support provision may access your records. Access is granted strictly on a need-to-know basis.
Disability Services FAQs - Confidentiality
Disability-related information is maintained securely and handled in accordance with University policies and applicable privacy standards. Access to records is restricted to authorized personnel within Disability Services.
Registration with Disability Services is confidential. Information about your registration is shared only with University staff who need the information to support you.
No. Disability-related information and accommodation records do not appear on academic transcripts or permanent academic records.
No. You are not required to disclose your diagnosis. If you receive accommodations, you will receive an accommodation letter which lists only the accommodations, not your disability.