FAQs
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in programs and activities that are receiving federal funding.
Title II of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in all programs and services provided by state and local government, such as the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu.
Reasonable academic accommodations help to provide equal access to students that have a disability (invisible and/or visible). By providing equal access, our goal is to remove educational barriers to the greatest extent possible. Reasonable academic accommodations help to reduce the impact of a disability on a student’s academic journey.
Some examples of reasonable academic accommodations are extended time on exams, frequent breaks, use of assistive technology, and more. UH West Oʻahu will work with each student individually to determine which reasonable academic accommodation(s) works best for them.
Reasonable accommodations should NEVER alter the fundamental element of a course as every student is held to the same standard.
You do NOT need to submit documentation to begin the process of applying for academic accommodations. However, you will be required to submit documentation within 30 business days from our initial intake meeting.
First, you will need to complete Disability Services – ADA Intake form for students.
You do not need to provide documentation to begin the process of applying for academic accommodations; however, you will be required to provide documentation 30 business days from our initial intake meeting.
The last step is to meet with the Coordinator of Disability Support and Success to discuss your disability, the requested accommodations and how it affects your academics, the services that can be provided based on your individual needs, the process for utilizing approved accommodations, and how to request continuing accommodations for upcoming semesters.
The interactive process with you, as a student requesting for accommodations, is an important step that we take together to learn more about you and your needs.
Some questions to assist in our discussion are as follows:
- What initiated you to request/apply for accommodations today?
- What environments create barriers/challenges for you?
- What barriers/challenges in the classroom or otherwise are you experiencing currently?
- What type of classroom environment do you prefer?
- What solutions or accommodations have worked in the past, if any?
The Coordinator of Disability Support and Success and you will discuss your disability, the requested accommodations and how it affects your academics, the services that can be provided based on your individual needs, the process for utilizing approved accommodations, and how to request continuing accommodations for upcoming semesters.
Also, you may have a support person present during the meeting, at the discretion of the Coordinator of Disability Support Success if deemed appropriate. If a support person is approved to be present at the meeting, a FERPA release will need to be signed by the student.
American Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations in college are determined on an individual basis, depending on how a student’s disability and its accompanying symptoms impact their access to courses, programs, or services. Accommodations are designed to remove barriers and provide equal access, so they can vary widely—examples may include alternative formats for course materials, audio recorded lectures, and short breaks as needed. Each student’s needs are evaluated individually to determine what is appropriate and reasonable.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requests for a notetaker as an accommodation are considered on a case-by-case basis. The determination is based on how the individual’s disability and its specific accompanying symptoms impact access to the specific course and course objectives. Each request is evaluated individually to ensure that the accommodation is appropriate and necessary to provide equal access to educational opportunities.
No, there are no fees/charges to receive academic accommodations from Disability Services at UH West Oʻahu.
Yes! UH West Oʻahu offers tutoring services at the Noʻeau Center to all students. You do not need an accommodation for tutoring services. Tutoring services are open to all of our students.
Yes, UH West Oʻahu campus was built according to the design standards required by the Title II of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).
We have automatic doors, elevators, accessible parking, and other features that assist people with disabilities.
You may file a grievance by following UH West Oʻahu Grievance Process.
Often, a grievance can be resolved quickly by the Coordinator of Disability Support and Success. However, there are other ways to file a grievance formally if you feel that you do not want to go through the Coordinator of Disability Support and Success. Please see our Grievance Process tab.
Yes, service animals are definitely welcome on our campus.