Mission Statement
Pomona College is committed to removing barriers and improving accessibility for all members of our campus community. The ARS Office is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment and promoting equal access through reasonable accommodations and services.
Vision
We envision a diverse and accessible campus community that is responsive to the needs of students with disabilities. The ARS Office will continue to develop policies and procedures, provide services, and programming that ensure equal access and opportunity to all aspects of campus life.
Core Values
Accountability
Accountability means being responsible for one’s own actions by listening to feedback, following through on commitments, and understanding the impact of your words and actions on others.
Equity
Equity means seeking full participation and thriving for everyone by recognizing that people do not all start from the same place and working to intentionally address barriers and power imbalances.
Inclusion
Inclusion means respecting the humanity of all people by striving to create an environment where people feel like they belong and are accepted as they are, inclusive of all identities they hold.
Intentionality
Intentionality means acting with purpose and deliberation by aligning your actions with the goals and causes of the communities you serve.
Open-Mindedness
Open-mindedness means being receptive to new ideas by trusting others and actively searching for alternative ways of knowing, acting, and problem-solving.
Guiding Principles
- Disability is a valued aspect of human diversity that adds to the spirit of our campus community.
- We honor each student’s lived experience and how they choose to identify themselves (e.g., by using person-first vs identity-first language).
- We reject ableism and believe that all bodies and minds are valuable.
- Disability is an opportunity to innovate, not a burden to accommodate.
- Make accessibility a forethought, not an afterthought.
- Accessibility is the responsibility of the entire campus community, not simply the ARS Office.
ARS Office services are student-centers and collaborative in nature.