” Discimus ut Serviamus: We learn so that we may serve”
Welcome to the Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities
The Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities at Queens College is dedicated to providing supportive services for all students with disabilities. We ensure their accessibility to all academic and social activities and teach self-advocacy for their success at Queens College and leadership roles in society.
Please refer to our handbook below under “Important Documents” for office procedures and guidelines.
Message from Sean J. Pierce, Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs:
Greetings from the Office for Student Affairs! As we begin the Fall 2024 semester, we would like to take this opportunity to tell you about some changes taking place on campus within one of our student support areas, The Office for Special Services (OSS).
Located in Kiely Hall 108, OSS provides support and accommodations for our students to assist them in finding success during the time they are enrolled at Queens College. The team works with students who self-identify as needing accommodations to ensure that they are aware of what we can offer them to aid with their academic journey.
Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost Wendy Hensel shared an email University-wide recently, in which she reiterated our commitment to providing access and equitable outcomes for all students within the CUNY system. You can read that message here; scroll down to the August 14, 2024 posting.
With this in mind, we are excited to announce that Queens College is one of the initial campuses that will be launching CUNY Accommodate, a platform designed to streamline the intake and accommodations processes for our students, over the course of the Fall 2024 semester. This platform will allow students to log in to Accommodate via any web-enabled device (phone, computer, tablet, etc.) to request their accommodation letters each semester, schedule tests and exams in our office, make appointments with OSS staff, manage borrowed assistive technology, and request textbooks in an alternative format. Faculty will also use the system to review student accommodation letters and approve test requests.
As a reminder, if a student shares with you that they need accommodations and does not have a letter from OSS, please direct them to the office to meet with OSS staff, either by visiting the office in person in Kiely Hall 108 or by emailing qc.spsv@qc.cuny.edu. It is imperative that faculty refer students to OSS and not offer their own accommodations as we want to support our students appropriately within the guidelines established by CUNY and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
We look forward to another semester of collaboration and support for our students and thank you for your ongoing assistance!
Office Information
Main Office
Director: Dr. Mirian Detres-Hickey
Office: Kiely Hall Room 108
Telephone: 718-997-5870
Email: qc.spsv@qc.cuny.edu
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 AM – 5 PM
Assistive Technology Lab/Testing Center
Office: Frese Hall Room 012/013
Telephone: 718-997-3775
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 AM – 6 PM, Friday 8 AM – 4 PM
Email: spsv.testing@qc.cuny.edu
If you are a student requiring a disability accommodation, or if you need technical assistance with accessible course materials, please contact:
Wahidur Roni
Disability Accommodation Specialist
Email: wahidur.roni@qc.cuny.edu
Important Documents
Reasonable Accommodations Guide (4th Edition)
Office of Special Services Handbook (Subject to change)
Additional Resources
Programs and Services (https://www.cuny.edu/current-students/student-affairs/student-services/disability/#programs)
Resources and Community (https://www.cuny.edu/current-students/student-affairs/student-services/disability/#resources)
Voter Registration Information
The Office of Special Services is a New York State Agency-Based Voter Registration Site, where students with disabilities are offered information, voter registration application forms and the opportunity to register to vote. We will be glad to help you fill out the form or provide assistance registering through CUNYfirst. There is no obligation to register to vote and the student’s decision will have no effect on services offered by the Office of Special Services.
Voter registration information and application forms are also available at the website for the State Board of Elections of the State of New York at http://www.elections.ny.gov.
Please call, email or stop by if you would like additional information or registration assistance.