Educational Accessibility

Within this community of artists, the process of learning engages, refines and articulates all of our creative capabilities. The Office of Educational Accessibility is here to assist students with disabilities in the pursuit of their personal, creative, artistic and educational objectives.  The Office of Educational Accessibility strives to coordinate services and accommodations that will enable students to act as independently as possible in a supportive atmosphere that promotes self-reliance and self-discovery.

The mission of the Office of Educational Accessibility is to enable student artists to succeed, creatively and personally, at the University of the Arts and beyond by removing barriers and promoting acceptance and accessibility. Assurance of educational accessibility and opportunity rests upon the legal foundations laid out in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Students seeking accommodations and services through Educational Accessibility are expected to self-advocate and disclose fully the nature of their disability. Accommodations are tailored to the specific needs of each individual student in order to maximize their potential and will, therefore, differ from student to student.  

While disclosure of a disability is voluntary, students are highly encouraged to meet with the Educational Accessibility Advisor as early in their UArts career as possible to ensure the highest levels of success. The Educational Accessibility Advisor is available for regular appointments as well as drop-in consultation on issues related to your experience at the University of the Arts.

For More Information:
David J. Thomas, MA, TESOL
Educational Accessibility Advisor and ADA Coordinator
Academic Advsior
Gershman Hall Room 402
access@uarts.edu

To make an appointment, please call the Advising Center at 215-717-6818 or mnichols@uarts.edu and ask to make an appointment with Educational Accessibility.

Policies and Procedures

• Housing Accommodation Policy and Procedure (pdf)
• Student Grievance Procedures (pdf)

Documentation

Because each student's situation is unique, the Office of Educational Accessibility simply asks that any interested student meet with us.  Documentation requirements will vary by situation.  The Educational Accessibility Advisor will talk to the student and discuss documentation requirements during the intake interview.  No student should delay meeting with the Office of Educational Accessibility out of concern for not having appropriate paperwork.

Intake Questionnaire and Self-Disclosure Statement

In order to make the most of the intake interview, please have the following forms filled out prior to your meeting with the Educational Accessibility Advisor.

• Pre-Intake Forms

Application for Exemptions or Exceptions to the Room and Board Policy
 
If you are seeking an exemption or an exception to the University's Room and Board Policy as an accommodation for a disability, you and your treating physician must first fill out the Room and Board Accomodations Exemptions Application and return it to the Office of Educational Accessibility (dathomas at uarts dot edu).  Your request will be reviewed by the Accommodations Committee and you will be notified of the decision within 2 weeks of us receiving your application. 

• Room and Board Accommodations and Exemptions Application

Resources

• Mission and Vision Statements (pdf)
• Rights and Responsibilities of Student Artists with Disabilities (pdf)
• Confidentiality Statement (pdf)
• Code of Ethics (pdf)
• Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (pdf)
• How to Make a PDF file a Readable PDF for Text to Speech