Accessibility Services

No. Students are not required to register. You only need to register if you are requesting accommodations. Disclosure of a disability is always voluntary. 

To request accommodations, the student must self-disclose to the Accessibility Office and personally request accommodations. Disability-related information is treated as private and is shared only on a need-to-know basis to implement approved accommodations. 

Students who are approved for accommodations will complete required office forms (e.g., a service agreement). Approved accommodations are communicated through an Approved Accommodations Letter/Form, which the student shares with instructors and/or service providers at the start of each semester, as appropriate. 

1. Register with the Accessibility Office by completing the Accommodation Request Form. 
2. Submit documentation to Accessibility@stevenscollege.edu or request an interview if you do not have documentation. 
3. Meet with the Accessibility Coordinator for an intake/transition interview (this typically occurs one time, unless updated needs require a new meeting). 
4. Receive an Approved Accommodations Letter/Form outlining approved accommodations. 
5. Sign/acknowledge your accommodations (as required by the Accessibility Office process). 
6. Each semester, confirm you are continuing your accommodations and share your letter/form with instructors/service providers as needed. 
7. Contact the Accessibility Coordinator if you need to discuss changes to your approved accommodations.

Documentation helps establish that a student has a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA/ADAAA) and describes how the disability substantially limits a major life activity (e.g., learning, reading, concentrating). 

Students must also be otherwise qualified for their program (able to meet essential requirements with or without accommodations). Some requests may not be approved if they would change the essential skills, academic standards, or fundamental requirements of a course or program. 

Documentation should include (as applicable):

• A specific diagnosis (example: Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in reading) 
• A description of how the disability substantially limits one or more major life activities 
• Recommended accommodations with a rationale (note: accommodations cannot alter essential requirements) 
• Objective data when relevant (e.g., aptitude/achievement measures, standardized scores, functional impacts) 
• Evidence of current need/impact 
• Medical clearance may be required for certain “Safety Sensitive” programs 

Types of documentation accepted, but not limited to:

• IEP and Evaluation Report or Psychological examination
• Letter from a physician or licensed provider
• Discharge Summary or relevant medical documentation

If you do not have documentation, indicate this on the Accommodation Request Form, and the Accessibility Coordinator will schedule an intake to discuss next steps. 

Please complete the Accommodation Request Form and indicate that you need help with documentation. The Accessibility Coordinator will schedule an interview to discuss your concerns and options. You may also email Accessibility@stevenscollege.edu with questions. 

Complete the Accommodation Request Form. The Accessibility Coordinator will email you any additional forms and explain next steps. 

Important: Requests for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), a single room, or dietary accommodations should be submitted by July for the fall semester (or the semester before the accommodation is needed). 

Students should:

1. Complete their application and follow Admissions steps. 
2. Schedule the entrance exam through the Admissions Office. 
3. Submit the Entrance Exam Accommodation Request Form and documentation at least one (1) week prior to the scheduled exam date. 
4. Wait to receive the Approved Accommodations Letter/Form before finalizing testing logistics, when possible. 

Accommodations are determined case-by-case based on disability-related needs and the requirements of the course/program. 

Examples may include (but are not limited to): extended test time, reduced-distraction testing, note-taking support, permission to audio record, sign language interpreters, captioning, alternate format materials, and assistive technology (screen readers, speech-to-text, etc.). Campus-based accommodations may include parking, housing, or meal plan-related accommodations, when appropriate. 

Start by visiting the nurse/Health Services and providing medical documentation. Health Services may recommend that you request accommodations. The Accessibility Office can then schedule an intake meeting to discuss options. 

Provide medical documentation to the nurse/Health Services. After review, Health Services may refer you to the Accessibility Office. The Accessibility Office will schedule an interview to discuss temporary accommodations. 

Students are encouraged to request accommodations as early as possible, ideally during the application process or before the semester begins. The Accessibility Office works with incoming students over the summer to help have accommodations in place for the start of the fall semester. 

If you request accommodations after the semester begins, implementation may take 1–2 weeks, depending on documentation and coordination needs. 

It is always the student’s choice whether to use approved accommodations. Some accommodations may not be needed in every class or for every assessment. It is still important to have accommodations approved early so they are available when needed. 

Examples include: 

• Personal devices (wheelchairs, hearing aids, glasses) 
• Personal care services (eating, toileting, dressing, medication storage/administration) 
• Changes that would fundamentally alter a course/program or lower academic standards 
• Accommodations that are unduly burdensome (administratively or financially), as defined by law

• What brought you here today?
• What barriers are you experiencing (classroom, testing, housing, campus life)? 
• What has worked for you in the past? 
• What are the essential requirements of your courses/program? 
• What types of assessments are challenging (tests, labs, hands-on tasks, reading)? 
• What accommodations did you use in high school (if any)? 

Students with accommodations are held to the same academic standards as all students. Accommodations provide access, but they do not guarantee success. Students may schedule a meeting with the Accessibility Coordinator to review accommodations and discuss strategies and campus supports (tutoring, coaching, advising, etc.). 

Yes. Accommodations ensure access, not success. 

Students may contact the Accessibility Office or the Compliance Officer for guidance on reporting options. Please see Complaints and Grievances and Nondiscrimination for additional information. 

Students should connect with Career Services. The Accessibility Office can also provide general guidance on topics such as disability disclosure, workplace accommodations, and helpful resources.