University Responsibility
The Disability Support Services (DSS) Office supports and advocates for students who experience disabilities. DSS coordinates support services and reasonable accommodations for APU students who experience disabilities and provides resources for the University and community.
All publications (web and print), as well as all events that take place on APU campuses, must be accessible to eligible persons with disabilities. Whenever possible, materials and events should be accessible by design. When adjustment is needed, Disability Support Services can provide assistance.
Departments and/or clubs and individual entities hosting events or publishing information are ultimately responsible for ensuring that adequate notice is given so that eligible persons can make requests for accommodation in a timely manner.
Update from DSS
Distance or online learning and teaching may be new territory for some students and faculty. Remember that DSS is here, as a resource, to support students, faculty, and staff. It is important to understand that the University’s responsibility to ensure accessible courses, programs, and services has not changed. Facilitating access and promoting an inclusive environment for our students is paramount.
Arranging for Accommodations
Reasonable Accommodations
An accommodation is a modification or service that provides a student with a documented disability an equal opportunity to benefit from the educational process. Reasonable accommodations include modifications and adjustments that do not fundamentally alter or lower the standards of an instructional program.
Your Role as a Student
We encourage all students to be their own advocates. Under the ADA, accommodations are always student-led in a post-secondary environment. Once contacted, Disability Support Services determines eligibility on an individualized basis through a review of diagnostic reports, dialogue with the student, and a best-practices approach. Students who would like to discuss accommodation options should schedule a meeting with DSS (meetings can occur by telephone or Zoom or in-person). We can help walk you through the process for providing current diagnostic and evaluative reports and requesting reasonable accommodations that are supported by documentation. Please email the Disability Support Services Office, at dss@alaskapacific.edu or call (907) 564-8287 to schedule a meeting.
Required Documentation
Students will supply documentation to the DSS Coordinator to establish eligibility. All evaluations, test results and medical records are confidential and are used for the sole purpose of determining eligibility for accommodations. The nature of the disability or temporary disabling condition is not released to any other party except with the written consent of the student. APU recognizes the best practices for documentation of disability that have been established by the Association on Higher Education and Disability.
Please note
Advanced planning is strongly encouraged. Students may request accommodations at any point during their time at APU. However, they should provide DSS with as much notice as possible, preferably 72+ hours. It’s understood that short notice is sometimes unavoidable. The DSS Office will make a good faith effort to determine eligibility as soon as the request is received and provide reasonable accommodation, if approved.
To schedule an appointment, please email the Disability Support Services Office at dss@alaskapacific.edu or call (907) 564-8287 to leave a voicemail with your name, phone number, and a brief message. We will be processing requests as quickly as possible and we thank you for your patience.
Faculty and staff hold a crucial role in helping the University meet our responsibility to provide access for students. If faculty or staff have any questions regarding accessibility or student accommodations, they are encouraged to contact DSS as soon as possible.
