Disability Services
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
Accommodate simplifies both the registration process for disability-related accommodations and the management of approved accommodations.
Academic Accommodation Procedures
Procedures for disability-related accommodation requests in the academic setting.
Non-Academic Accommodation Procedures
Procedures for disability-related accommodation requests outside of the academic setting. These accommodations are reviewed by the Non-Academic Accommodation Committee. Students can email NAAC@hws.edu with any questions.
Before submitting a request for an on-campus housing accommodation, please note the following 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 experience delays in processing.