Hampshire College offers services on an individual basis to students with documented disabilities. The College recognizes its obligation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities so they may participate as equitably as possible in the College's academic programs. Disabilities are considered any documented impairment which impacts a major life function. This may include, but is not limited to diagnoses related to sensory impairments, mobility impairments, chronic illnesses and medical disabilities, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities and psychological disabilities. The OARS staff is responsible for the coordination of services and accommodations for students with disabilities. Accommodations may be provided by OARS directly, but often accommodations are implemented in collaboration with faculty or other relevant campus offices and personnel.
OARS may be reached at 413.559.OARS (x6277) or via email: OARS@hampshire.edu.
For 2024-2025, Hampshire College’s ADA and Section 504 Coordinator is Director of Accessibility Resources and Services, Teal Van Dyck. The ADA Coordinator can be reached via phone at 413.559.6277, or by email at tvdDO@hampshire.edu.
Student Responsibilities
The Office of Accessibility Resources and Services supports students through advocacy, education, and reviewing requests for reasonable accommodations on an individualized and case-by-case basis to ensure equitable access to all programs and services at Hampshire College. To register with our office, students are expected to self-identify to OARS as a student with a disability, and can request accommodations through the Disability Disclosure and Accommodation Request process.
This is an interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations for which a student is eligible and to educate a student about relevant processes, support services, and additional responsibilities to access approved accommodations of which they should be aware. Once approved for accommodations, it is a student’s responsibility to notify relevant faculty or administrators of approved accommodations and to collaborate with those entities and OARS in an ongoing process of accommodation implementation.
Confidentiality
The decision to disclose a disability to the College and/or request accommodation ofto the College is wholly voluntary. The information and data provided by students will be treated as confidential and will be disclosed by OARS only if necessary to assess and/or implement requested services or accommodations. Evaluations, medical records, and other documents submitted to establish record of a disability or the need for accommodations are securely maintained in the OARS office accommodations database and do not become part of a student’s academic record or transcript.
Under the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), enrolled college students are legally considered to be adults. Communication of confidential information with parents or professionals regarding OARS records, decisions, or processes disabilities must be authorized by the student in writing. A student who wishes to give OARS representatives the choice to communicate directly with their parent, guardian, or other support professional must request and sign a FERPA waiver limited in scope to OARS communication.
Evaluations of Eligibility
Hampshire College does not provide educational evaluations or any other assessment of medical, learning, or mental health status to determine eligibility for accommodation. Documentation Guidelines are available to clarify types of assessments and appropriate professionals to administer such assessments which substantiate need and eligibility for disability-related accommodation. A list of local practitioners qualified to conduct relevant evaluations at a student’s expense can be made available at a student’s request. Health and Counseling Services will provide referrals to local professionals who can evaluate psychiatric and medical conditions.
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