Disability and Access Services
ADA/Section 504 compliance
Goodwin University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information in its programs and activities.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, no qualified person will be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University because of disability. The University will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in employment practices and activities, including, but not limited to, application procedures, hiring, tenure, promotion, advancement, termination, training, compensation, and benefits. The University will not discriminate against a qualified individual because of the known disability of another individual with whom the qualified individual is known to have a relationship or association.
The role of the Office of Disability and Access Services
The Office of Disability and Access Services (ODAS) is the office designated by Goodwin University to provide services, resources, and programs to facilitate equal learning and working opportunities for faculty, staff, students, and guests of the University. ODAS also determines whether individuals are eligible for reasonable accommodations and, if so, the nature of the reasonable accommodation.
Reasonable accommodation
The Office of Disability and Access Services (ODAS) strives to proactively identify and remove barriers to access to promote inclusion and minimize the need for individual accommodations. Upon request, the University will provide reasonable accommodation(s) to otherwise qualified students as required by law to ensure equal access to University educational opportunities, programs, services, and activities in the most integrated setting, to the extent such requested accommodation(s) do not impose an undue hardship upon the University, constitute a fundamental alteration to a program, or compromise academic integrity. In general, it is the responsibility of students to make their disability status and subsequent need for accommodation(s) known.
Neither supervisors, faculty, program sponsors, service units, nor administrators may independently deny a request for accommodation.
Disability documentation and confidentiality
The Office of Disability and Access Services (ODAS) is the custodian of student records obtained for the purpose of providing reasonable accommodations. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), ODAS may share information and communicate with appropriate University personnel on a need-to-know basis in order to facilitate the process of determining accommodation eligibility and/or implementation. In limited circumstances, specific information may be required to be disclosed in order to protect individuals in an emergency or to comply with law and/or University policies and procedures.
Contact the Office of Disability and Access Services
Molly ZatonyDisability and Access Services Manager
Associate Director of Civil Rights Compliance and ADA / 504 Coordinator
- Phone860-727-6741
- EmailAMinick@goodwin.edu