The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) provides and facilitates reasonable accommodations for students with qualifying disabilities or disabling health conditions. These accommodations are designed to facilitate equitable access to student experience as they intersect with academic, dining, and residential dimensions of SMCM.
Our Mission
The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) provides accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure equitable access to academic, dining, and residential experiences at SMCM. We collaborate with students to address campus barriers, promoting autonomy and self-advocacy. OAS also supports faculty and staff in implementing inclusive and compliant practices for academics and student life.
Our Values
OAS is centered on seeing each student as an individual with unique skills and strengths that flourish when given proper access. We recognize the diverse experiences and intersectionality that shape our students’ perspectives and actions. Committed to equity, accessibility, and justice, we aim to understand the whole student, helping them unlock their full potential within the SMCM community and classroom.
Our Vision
The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) at St. Mary’s is committed to promoting accessibility and inclusivity by continuously addressing the barriers students face. Through collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and external communities, OAS works to make informed decisions that support and eliminate obstacles to universal access. Our dynamic approach involves uncovering and removing barriers while planning for broader accessibility in the future.
OAS takes a holistic view of student support, recognizing how barriers related to ability and health intersect with identities like race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Although the primary focus is on disability-related challenges, OAS also advocates for addressing other obstacles, creating an empowering environment where students feel valued for their strengths. OAS complements other campus offices, helping students navigate obstacles in both their academic and personal experiences.