Mask Mandate Accommodations

Arcadia’s COVID19 mitigation procedures outline basic protective health requirements for campus that include “wear(ing) a mask over your nose and mouth, especially whenever indoors, in a classroom or University building, or when in close proximity (less than 6ft apart) to others outside”  

All campus community members are expected to comply with this requirement. CDC guidance acknowledges that some groups of people may have difficulty wearing a mask including due to a disability. Students unable to comply with the procedures due to a disability-related reason should seek accommodations through Disability Support Services. Below outlines the procedures and requirements for seeking accommodations or an alternative to the mask requirements. 

• Students must be registered with Disability Support Services
• Provide documentation (following DSS guidelines) from a licensed medical provider that 1) demonstrates the presences of the disability 2) outlines the impact of the disability on safely wearing a mask 3) reviews alternative face coverings and the student’s ability to wear them effectively
• Under Section 504 and ADA Title III, the University may exclude a student with a disability when the University concludes that the student presents a Direct Threat to the health or safety of others. Because our Health and Safety plans are in place to protect the campus community, it is possible that the accommodation requested may not be provided because the student would pose a direct threat to the campus community. Students will be evaluated through the direct threat assessment of students with disabilities policy and procedures. 

If the requested accommodation is deemed to pose a direct threat, the student may have the option to participate remotely.