We trust you've enjoyed the holiday season as we all begin this new semester! As we welcome students back to school, we'd like to share some timely reminders and information about our shared responsibility to provide classroom accommodations/support services to the students that we serve.

It is the responsibility of Course Instructors to work in conjunction with the Disability Services Office in providing approved accommodations and support services for students in a fair and timely manner. Students should self-identify in order to initiate a meeting with DSO to discuss accommodations if needed.

Federal Regulations that protect equal access for persons with disabilities in colleges and universities include:

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

• The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1991

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

"Part of the problem is that we tend to think that equality is about treating everyone the same, when it's not. It's about fairness. It's about equity of access."

― Judith Heumann, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist

Course Instructors have 5 days to acknowledge a Letter of Accommodation. If a notice goes unacknowledged after 5 days, DSO will follow up to make sure our institution is in compliance with federal regulations. See the attached pdf for detailed instructions.

If a student approaches you about accommodations, it is best practice to refer them to Leeward Disability Services. When you receive an accommodation notice from leedso@hawaii.edu you will know that the student has gone through Leeward's procedures for receiving classroom accommodations.

In the event you have questions about the accommodations that have been determined as appropriate for a student in your class, please call us to discuss.

Our office hours are: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (excluding holidays)

Services provided in person, online, by phone, or by email.

Room LC 213

Kris Hernandez

Coordinator/Disability Specialist

(808)455-0421

khernand@hawaii.edu

Allan Nebrija

Disability Specialist

(808) 455-0405

anebrija@hawaii.edu