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Disability Services

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About Disability Services

Welcome to Disability Services (DS), a part of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Our mission is to promote equity, inclusivity, and accessibility within the HWS community. We are dedicated to eliminating barriers in classrooms and throughout the institution that could impede learning.

  • If you have any questions, contact us at (315) 781-3351, email us at ctl@hws.edu, or visit us on the second floor of the library.
  • Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges protect students from disability discrimination under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the ADA, and other laws. These regulations guarantee equal access to programs and services for individuals with disabilities.

Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis, considering:

  • Nature and severity of the impairment
  • Duration of the impairment
  • Long-term impact

Academic Accommodations Process Overview

Below is a brief summary of the academic accommodation process.

1. Self-Identify: Student self-identifies as requesting academic accommodations.

2. Provide Documentation: Student provides documentation to Disability Services. The documentation must reflect the student's current functional limitations. Common types of documentation may include:

  • Neuropsychological evaluations
  • Official medical or diagnostic reports
  • IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) or Section 504 Plans

3. Meet with Disability Services: Student meets with a member of Disability Services to discuss and determine reasonable accommodations.


Accommodate Portal

The Accommodate Portal simplifies the management of approved disability-related accommodations. Both students and faculty can login below.

Accomodate Portal Login

Academic Accommodation Procedures

Procedures for disability-related accommodation requests in the academic setting.

First-Time Request: select if this is your first accommodation request Semester Request: Apply your existing Accomodation(s) to the new semester Supplemental request: Add/Modify your existing accomodations Temporary Accomodation Request: Temporary support conditions like broken limbs or surgeries

Non-Academic Accommodation Procedures

The Non-Academic Accommodation Committee (NAAC) is composed of representatives from several HWS departments and reviews all non-academic accommodation requests. These requests include accommodations outside the classroom setting. While requests are reviewed each month, please be sure to check the following housing selection deadlines:

  • For Spring Semester requests: December 1
  • For Fall Semester requests: February 15
  • For Incoming First-Year/Transfer requests: July 1

Requests received after these deadlines will be reviewed but may experience delays in processing and implementation should if approved.

First-Time Request
select if this is your first accommodation request SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST
Add/Modify your existing accomodations

Resources