Office of Accessibility Resources and Services
Welcome to the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) at Hampshire College. We strive to support students with disabilities holistically through relationship building, coaching, appropriate accommodations, and intentional referrals.
We encourage you to register for services from our office as early as possible in your academic journey at Hampshire. In addition to offering a number of services specific to an individual's academic success, OARS also educates the campus about people with disabilities and their needs.
Register with OARS / Request Accommodations
- Submit a self-report through our secure online portal
- Submit supporting documentation through our secure portal or by mail
- Speak with an OARS staff member if needed
Looking for more information about accessibility at Hampshire as a prospective student?
NEW TO HAMPSHIRE?
For our new and transfer students, welcome to Hampshire! We are looking forward to working with you as you join our community.
Please use our secure online portal to register with OARS and request accommodations. We recommend reviewing our detailed instructions on registering with OARS.
May 29, 2023 is the priority deadline to submit housing accommodations requests for Fall 2023 entering students.
Housing accommodation requests received after this date are subject to Housing Office approval, and we encourage you to submit these housing-related accessibility requests as soon as possible.
You may also submit academic, dining, assistance animal, and other campus access accommodation requests through our online portal at the same time, but these are not due until later in the summer. If you would prefer to wait to submit other types of accommodations requests, you may use the OARS portal to submit these throughout the summer on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of August 4, 2023.
CONSULTATION APPOINTMENTS
Any current or prospective Hampshire student, faculty, or staff member can meet with OARS staff to learn more about our supports and services.
These meetings are typically an hour and can be useful for (but not limited to) any of the following reasons:
- For prospective and incoming students to learn about the transition to Hampshire as a new student.
- Learn about requesting accommodations.
- Request additional accommodations based on a new or previously disclosed disability.
- Understand ways to support specific students/peers who seem to be struggling and/or get them connected with OARS.
- How to seek a formal diagnosis if not yet diagnosed.
- Options available for support without a formal diagnosis.
- Interest in collaborating to enhance accessibility at Hampshire or throughout the Connecticut River Valley.
COACHING
Through our Holistic Learning Program, we create programming, resources, and work one on one with students with and without accommodations on everything from time management to mental and physical health. Our goal is to empower students through challenges, and to help them develop the skills they need to set goals and work to find their unique path of lifelong learning. Contact our Learning Specialist at oars@hampshire.edu to learn more about connecting with the Holistic Learning Program.
MEET WITH OARS
OARS staff are available throughout the year to meet with current or prospective students and their families.
Meetings with OARS staff are by appointment only, and may be scheduled via email at oars@hampshire.edu, or by contacting us via phone at 413.559.OARS / 413.559.6277.
If you are visiting during a campus-wide open house, please call or email ahead of time to schedule a time to meet. You can also look for us in your open house schedule for events and drop-in tables.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) strives to provide an inclusive learning atmosphere that ensures equal access for all students to education and all aspects of campus life by providing reasonable accommodations, participating in interactive student meetings, and promoting access for Hampshire College students, staff, and faculty. Hampshire College will not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, educational process, or treatment of students with disabilities. In making reasonable accommodations, Hampshire College considers educational academic accommodations, accessible housing, and other services available to all students.
OARS aims to empower students to receive equal access to education and all aspects of campus life, through removing barriers to equal access and promoting self-advocacy through multidisciplinary collaborations. OARS is committed to helping students with disabilities achieve their academic goals by providing reasonable accommodations under appropriate circumstances. As part of the Office of Justice, Equity, and Antiracism we handle the needs of students with disabilities and we take those needs seriously.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
OARS is charged with providing all students at Hampshire with access to all programs and services. Institutions of higher education must ensure that students with disabilities are able to:
- Independently acquire the same information;
- Engage in the same interactions;
- Enjoy the same benefits and services;
- Within the same time frames as their non-disabled peers;
- With substantially equivalent ease of use
FIND US
The physical Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) in the Lemelson Building.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday
9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
CONTACT US
413.559.OARS (413.559.6277)
oars@hampshire.edu