About Special Services for Students with Disabilities
Queens College has a history of commitment to the enhancement of education of students with disabilities. The Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities was established in 1974 to provide equal opportunities for a college education to academically qualified students with physical disabilities. The office offers comprehensive support services to students with various disabilities. QC prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities and it ensures full access and equal opportunity to qualified students with disabilities to all academic programs and social activities on campus.
The focus of OSS is not only to provide the support services that allow students to compete on an equal level with their classmates, but also to teach them to self-advocate for their growth in the independent living skills necessary for success on campus and in their personal lives. OSS provides appropriate support services to eligible students, including registration assistance, equipment and device loans, reader/writer/attendant care referrals, interpreters, counseling, books on tape, test administration, and liaison with counselors. OSS also provides assistive technology services. Frese Hall Room 012 houses a state-of-the-art technology lab for students with disabilities, focusing on the visually impaired.
To receive these services, a student must first register with the office in Frese Hall Room 111. To do so, you must bring proper documentation pertaining to the nature of your disability from a qualified professional. To learn more about CUNY Assistive Technology Services at Queens College, call (718) 997-3775 or visit Frese Hall Room 012.
Although all QC students are required to meet the same admissions criteria, the school is sensitive to students’ individual backgrounds and needs. The college may require supplementary information to enhance an applicant’s record. If a student has special needs for educational activities, he or she should visit OSS for an assessment and arrange the setup for the required assistance. An interview with an admissions counselor gives students the opportunity to discuss their academic credentials; in a meeting with an OSS staff member, students can ensure that support services available at QC will be appropriate for any disabilities they may have. OSS is happy to help with these arrangements and other matters of concern.
The college encourages students with disabilities to visit OSS as often as needed. After just a few meetings, students become well acquainted with the OSS staff and develop a personal supportive academic plan that will ensure the students’ success. Please contact one of our dedicated staff members to receive further information on documentation guidelines. The OSS intake office is located in Frese Hall Room 111.