University Responsibility

All publications (web and print) as well as all events that take place on UA 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 or units 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.

Accessibility Statements for Publications and Programs

Please use an accessibility statement for all programs, publications, and events at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

1. Publications should include the following statement:
   This document is available in alternative formats upon request.
2. Registration and outreach materials (bulletins, flyers, brochures, letters, public service announcements) and other materials used to inform the public should include a statement such as:
   American Sign Language Interpreters and other services are available for individuals with disabilities. Please submit accommodation requests at least 72 hours in advance: (contact)
3. If an event will have ASL Interpreters available please include the following symbol.
   
4. Advance planning is strongly encouraged. Even when the University receives short notice, a good faith effort must be made to fulfill the request.
5. Syllabus statements inform students that Disability Support Services is the appropriate contact for accommodation requests. The statement can be brief or in-depth:
   1. If you experience a disability or suspect you experience a disability, please contact Disability Support Services to arrange for approved accommodations. UAA is committed to providing equal access to learning opportunities for students with documented disabilities. To ensure access to this class, and your program, please contact DSS to engage in a confidential conversation about the process for requesting accommodations. (Meetings can occur by telephone or Zoom).  Further, if you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, especially if it has transitioned to on-line instructions, please contact me. I would like us to discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course. Together we can plan how best to remove barriers and coordinate your accommodations. However, accommodations are not provided retroactively. You are also welcome to contact the Disability Support Services office at uaa_dss@alaska.edu or 786-4530.
   2. If you experience a disability and seek additional information regarding accommodations, contact Disability Support Services: 907-786-4530; uaa_dss@alaska.edu; Rasmuson Hall, Suite 112

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q) What is an accommodation?
  A) An accommodation is a modification or service that gives a student with a disability an equal opportunity to benefit from the educational process.
• Q) Am I required to provide accommodation?
  A) Yes. As a federally funded institution, UA must operate in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition to meeting federal mandates, accessibility and inclusivity improve our campus climate and honor the natural diversity that defines any given population.
• Q) How do I arrange for accommodations?
  A) 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.
• Q) How much advance notice is required?
  A) As much notice as possible, preferably 72 hours. It’s understood that short notice is sometimes unavoidable. The university will make a good faith effort to provide reasonable accommodation as soon as the request is received.  
• Q) Who pays the cost of disability accommodations at extra-curricular events?
  A) The sponsoring department, unit, or organization pays the cost of accommodation for any participant who makes a reasonable request. There may be funding strategies DSS can recommend, but proactive fiscal planning is strongly encouraged.

University Policy for Website Content

To ensure access for persons with disabilities and narrow equity gaps, UAA websites, regardless of how or where published, shall meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). University websites must comply with WCAG 2.1, Conformance Level AA. These internationally recognized guidelines establish standards of accessibility for information in a web page or web application, including information such as text, images, and sounds, as well as code or markup that defines architecture and presentation of web and online content.