Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services works in collaboration with all departments of the college, whether academic, student services, facilities, etc. to ensure accessibility and to assist students and advocate to maximize student independence and success. Disability Services arranges, facilitates and/or coordinates reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments to meet individual students’ needs.
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Manhattanville College strives to ensure that “no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program administered by the College.” As per federal law:
An individual is defined as having a disability if they are an individual who (1) has a physical or psychological impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities; or (2) has a record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.
Self-Identification and Notice of Accommodations
Students with documented disabilities who are seeking accommodations may voluntarily register with the Office of Disability Services by scheduling an intake appointment with the Director. Students may be asked to provide documentation of their disability. The Director can provide a form for the student’s provider, if no documentation is available. Documentation should be current, completed by a qualified professional and should include: Identification of the disability; impact on academic functioning; statement of the recommended accommodations.
Reasonable accommodations are determined by the Director on an individual basis considering both documentation and intake interview. Accommodations may include but are not limited to the following: Extended time for tests; readers; sign language interpreters; note taking accommodations, alternate format text, and classes in accessible locations. At the beginning of each semester, a student who is registered with the Office of Disability Services should request in writing from the Director, their accommodation needs for the semester. The Director provides each of the students’ professors with a letter outlining the approved accommodations. The letter includes the student’s accommodations only, unless otherwise requested in writing by the student. While the Director informs the students’ professors of the needed accommodations, it is the students’ responsibility to make arrangements with his/her professor each time the accommodation is to be provided (i.e. before each test).
Documentation
Students diagnosed with a disability that request services or reasonable accommodations may be asked to provide appropriate and current documentation. In the case of multiple disabilities, students may be asked to provide documentation for each disability for which accommodations are requested. Prior documentation such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a history of receiving accommodations from a former school does not necessarily validate the need for services or continuation of accommodations at the college level. This history can, however, be attached to the current documentation as part of a comprehensive assessment battery. The determination of reasonable accommodations on campus is based on satisfying the documentation guidelines outlined below and a clear demonstration of the functional limitations on the student’s performance in an academic setting. These guidelines apply to all disability types recognized by the ADA.
Documentation should meet the following guidelines:
- A qualified professional should conduct the evaluation and provide name, title, professional credentials.
- The evaluation should include the diagnosis and be signed and dated.
- The evaluation must be current. Disabilities may change in severity over time and documentation should support current accommodation needs.
- Recommendations and rationale for accommodations and/or assistive technology must be based on the analysis of the functional impact of the diagnosis.
The Higher Education Learning Program (Help)
The Higher Education Learning Program (HELP) is a fee based tutoring center that serves as a center of support for students with learning disabilities. It is structured to assist students to meet the academic challenges of the Manhattanville College curriculum. The HELP Center offers individualized one-to-one tutoring services provided by professionals who are trained and experienced in working with this special population. For further information please contact The HELP Center at (914) 323-5313or the Director of Disability Services at (914) 323-7127.
Contact Information
Director of Disability Services
Library, room 134
(914) 323-7127