Accommodations & Accessibility (ADA/504)
Accommodations for Students
The following information is intended to assist University of Alaska students - including full-time, part-time, and non-degree seeking students - with navigating the steps to request accommodations and address barriers that may exist in the University's online and physical spaces.
Disability
Each qualified student with a disability will be eligible to receive appropriate academic adjustments and programmatic accommodations necessary for the student to access educational opportunities, programs, activities, or services in the most integrated setting possible.
In order to receive disability related accommodations, students must engage in the Disability Support Services accommodation request process.
In order to receive a medical vaccination exemption, students must engage in the Dean of Students medical vaccination accommodation process.
Pregnancy
Students can be provided with assistance for conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions (ie: miscarriage, false pregnancy, c-section, etc.). Individuals may be required to submit medical certification for approval of the accommodation. All medical information will be kept confidential.
The University of Alaska Anchorage must excuse medically necessary absences because of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (ie: miscarriage, false pregnancy, c-section, etc.) for as long as the person's doctor deems the absences medically necessary. When a person returns to their normal activities, the person must be allowed to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before their medical leave began.
In order to receive pregnancy related accommodations, students may submit a pregnancy accommodation request form
UAA Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form
Religion
Students at UAA can receive accommodations related to their religion. Religious accommodations may include but are not limited to prayer time/space, vaccination exemption, and smudging permission.
In order to receive religious accommodations for any religious practices that conflict with residence-related BOR policies, students must engage in Residence Life's religious accommodation process.
In order to receive religious vaccination exemptions, and or to request other religious accommodations, students must engage in the Dean of Students religious accommodation process.
Accommodations for Employees
The following information is intended to assist University of Alaska employees - including staff, faculty and student employees - with navigating the steps to request workplace accommodations and address barriers that may exist in the University's online and physical spaces.
Accommodations for employees can be requested through UA Human Resources by email ua-ada@alaska.edu or by calling 907-450-8200.
Disability
The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the 2008 ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, other federal and state laws, and the University of Alaska Notice of Nondiscrimination require that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunity to enjoy campus programs, activities, resources, and benefits.
UAA will provide a working environment in which no employee will be subjected to unlawful discrimination based on disability. Additionally, each qualified employee with a disability will be eligible to receive reasonable workplace accommodations.
Examples of workplace accommodations may include but are not limited to: making existing facilities accessible; equipment modification; job restructuring; part-time or modified work schedules; providing qualified readers or interpreters; and reassignment to vacant positions.
Pregnancy
Employees can be provided with assistance for conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions (ie: miscarriage, false pregnancy, c-section, etc.). Individuals may be required to submit medical certification for approval of the accommodation. All medical information will be kept confidential.
UAA Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form
The University of Alaska Anchorage must excuse medically necessary absences because of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (ie: miscarriage, false pregnancy, c-section, etc.) for as long as the person's doctor deems the absences medically necessary. When a person returns to their normal activities, the person must be allowed to return to the same employment, academic, and extracurricular status as before their medical leave began.
Religion
Employees at UAA can receive accommodations related to their religion.
Examples of some common employee religious accommodations include: Prayer spaces, flexible scheduling, voluntary shift substitutions or swaps, adjusted travel dates, and modifications to workplace policies or practices.
Accommodations for Visitors
All applicants, visitors, guests, and non-affiliated persons are welcome to request accommodations for their time spent on UAA's campus.
Members of the community may request accommodations related to their disability, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions(ie: miscarriage, false pregnancy, c-section, etc.), and or religion. Individuals may be required to submit medical certification in order to obtain approval of certain accommodations. All medical information will be kept confidential.
Accommodations for visitors can be requested through UA Human Resources by email ua-ada@alaska.edu or by calling 907-450-8200.
Reporting a Grievance
It is University Policy not to discriminate on the basis of Disability, Pregnancy, or Religion.
UAA has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Title IX, and Title VII. Section 504 and the ADA prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Title IX, Title VII, and FMLA prevent discrimination and provide protections on the basis of Pregnancy and Parenting. Title VII and several other state and federal laws prevent discrimination on the basis of Religion and Religious Affiliation.
If you feel that you or someone you know has been discriminated against, please submit a complaint.
ADA/504 Coordinator Responsibilities
UAA's ADA/504 Coordinator is responsible for monitoring compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as state civil rights requirements regarding discrimination and harassment based on disability. The 504 Coordinator oversees UAA and the UA system’s prevention and education efforts; implements the institution's complaint procedures; responds to reports and complaints; conducts inquiries and investigations; identifies and addresses patterns; and assesses effects on the campus climate so UAA can address issues that affect the wider campus community. To report an incident, you can contact the coordinator directly or submit it online.
- What is a reasonable accommodation?UAA provides reasonable accommodation to employees, visitors, or job applicants with a medical condition, disability, or on the basis of religion, unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment (or in the way things are usually done) to help a person with a disability apply for a job, perform the duties of a job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment or programs.
- What are examples of a reasonable accommodation?Examples of reasonable accommodations may include but are not limited to: travel adjustments, ergonomic evaluations, service animals, larger monitors, seating and/or desk furniture modifications, leave or work schedule/shift adjustments, qualified interpreters, etc. Pregnancy and parenting adjustments may also be handled as an accommodation under Title IX and/or ADA.