Student Access & Support Services

Student Access and Support Services (SASS), a unit within the Division of Student Life, is dedicated to ensuring access and inclusion for all students with disabilities. SASS serves 300+ students with either temporary or permanent physical, psychological, health, learning, or sensory disabilities. We partner with students and faculty jointly in the process to establish accommodations and access to academic programs.

Mission Statement

SASS embraces disability as an aspect of diversity that is integral to society and our campus community. Equal access is at the forefront of our commitment to social justice and inclusion.

SASS is dedicated to improving the learning experience for all students by ensuring that classes and all campus activities and programing are universally accessible and equitable. We are a campus-wide resource that provides education and direct support to students, faculty, and staff on accessibility efforts. We believe that when a learning environment is intentionally designed, everyone achieves more, learns more, and is more equitably represented.

Accessibility Support

Students with a verified disability are eligible to receive accommodations. Students are required to submit medical documentation that establishes the nature of a disability and/or health condition and describes its impact on the student in the educational environment.

SASS recognizes that not all students have access to medical documentation. Please do not let this deter you from reaching out. Accommodations are granted on a case-by-case basis and may be provided provisionally while documentation is pending. Please connect with SASS to schedule a meeting to discuss your needs and concerns.

In addition to facilitating physical access and academic accommodations such as additional time to complete exams and assignments, Mills is excited to offer new accessible technology and auxiliary aid support to qualified students. These supports include text-to-speech and speech-to-text software, digital audio recording, and screen magnification.

Getting Started

If you would like to make an appointment to discuss accommodations and accessibility, please follow the steps listed below:

1. Email sass@mills.edu stating that you are seeking accommodations and would like to schedule a meeting.
2. If you have medical documentation and/or an IEP or 504 Plan, please submit your documentation in advance of your scheduled meeting. Documentation can be sent via email to sass@mills.edu, via fax (510.430.3235), or hand delivered to the front desk in the Cowell Building.
3. Once your documentation is received, a SASS staff member will reach out to you to schedule an intake appointment to discuss your needs and accomodations.  After this meeting, you will be able to request your accommodations online through the Mills Resource Portal. SASS will then send a notification of accommodation to your faculty. Nothing personal or medical will be disclosed.
4. If your accommodations include extended time and/or a distraction reduced environment for testing, you will need to make reservations for each test you take through your student portal.
5. Please note that you will need to re-request your accommodations through the Mills Resource Portal each semester.

If you think that your accommodations need to be updated, please contact SASS and submit updated documentation.

Grievance Policy

Any student who has questions about accommodations or who is dissatisfied with the kind of accommodations received, or how those accommodations are delivered, is responsible for contacting Student Access and Support Services as soon as possible to have the situation reviewed.

Any student who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability should contact the Coordinator of the Grievance Process for information about grievance procedures. The current coordinator is Cassie Eskridge, associate dean of students, who may be reached at ceskridge@mills.edu or by calling 510.430.3241.

Download the Student Guide to Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances (PDF).