Policies

Identification of Students with Disabilities

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and may be entitled to reasonable accommodations and equal access to programs and services.

It is the responsibility of a student who experiences a disability to initiate contact with and provide appropriate documentation to the Disability Services Office.

Board of Regents Policy for Students with Disabilities

Prohibition Against Discrimination on the Basis of Disability  (P09.06.01)

The University of Alaska will provide a learning environment in which no student will be subjected to unlawful discrimination based on disability.  No otherwise qualified individual will be denied reasonable access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University of Alaska because of disability.  Each qualified student with a disability will be eligible to receive appropriate academic adjustments and programmatic accommodations necessary for the student to access educational opportunities, programs, activities, or services in the most integrated setting possible.

For the full policy please visit Regents' Policy & University Regulation.

Accommodation Appeal Procedure

A student who feels they have a complaint regarding accommodations (either that appropriate accommodations were not granted by Disability Services or that approved accommodations are not being provided by a faculty member), eligibility or services through Disability Services should speak to Lori Klein, Vice Chancellor Enrollment Management & Student Affairs, or her designee. The Vice Chancellor Enrollment Management & Student Affairs is available at 907-796-6057 or by email at laklein@alaska.edu.

Grievance Policy

A student who feels they have been discriminated against based upon a disability is encouraged to submit a grievance, which will be reviewed by the UAS Office of Rights, Compliance, and Accountability. The UAS Office of Rights, Compliance, and Accountability can be contacted at by phone at 907-796-6371 or e-mail at uas.orca@alaska.edu.

Receiving Accommodations

To receive accommodations from DS, a student with a disability must meet with a Disability Services staff member to discuss individual needs through an interactive process. The following procedures are required to ensure appropriate academic accommodations are provided:

• Disability Services will provide reasonable, appropriate, and effective academic support services and accommodations that allow the student to have equal access to the academic environment. Preferences will be discussed and considered in determining appropriate services.
• Disability Services does not provide personal services such as homework support, typing services, tutorial support, personal care attendants, or individually prescribed devices. We can connect students to local resources.
• Disability Services does not provide documentation evaluation or assessment. We can make referrals for you to local resources.
• Services provided depend on the functional limitations resulting from the disability. Students must provide documentation demonstrating a need for the requested services.

Dissemination of Information

Disability Services notifies and informs students of its existence in the following ways:

• Written materials outlining services are available from the DS office, on the DS website, and at other campus locations. Copies of DS Policies and Procedures and the University of Alaska Board of Regents’ Policy and Regulation on “Services for Students with Disabilities” are available online and upon request from the DS office.
• DS general contact information is available in various campus resources, including the campus telephone directory, student handbook, catalogue, course schedule booklets, and admissions materials.
• Students who experience a disability and have requested services are informed verbally and by written materials of DS services.
• Faculty are informed of DS's services on a regular basis (e.g., orientations, departmental meetings).