Elevators

Elevators are located in the building below.

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For assistance with out-of-service elevators, please contact Public Safety.
Phone: 718-997-5912/5911 (Available 24 Hours)

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Parking

Accessible parking spaces are reserved by law for individuals with disabilities who have been issued a placard by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Students, staff, and faculty may park in these designated spaces if they possess both a valid DMV-issued placard and a parking decal obtained from the Public Safety Department at Queens College. For additional information on obtaining a parking decal for accessible parking, please contact the our office. 

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Service Animals

Service animals are defined as animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks related to an individual’s disability. They are distinct from emotional support animals, comfort animals, therapy animals, and pets which are not permitted to go in public, but for housing inquires please check out the Housing tab for more information. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are typically limited to dogs and miniature horses, and can be any breed. It is important to note that laws pertaining to service animals can vary between federal, state, and local jurisdictions. Therefore, if students are arriving from outside New York, students should be aware of the relevant regulations in this area and travel regulations regarding their service animals in advance to make the proper arrangements. Queens College, located in New York City, welcomes any breed of service animals and service animals in training, which includes their handlers and or trainers on campus.

Laws governing service animals stipulate that they must be permitted access to public areas where the public is generally allowed to go. The college’s “No Pet” policy does not apply to service animals. However, there are certain circumstances under which a service animal may be excluded from an area, such as if its presence would fundamentally alter the nature of a service or program, if health and safety policies are violated, if the handler is unable to maintain control of the animal, or if the animal is not housebroken. In cases where a service animal is requested to be removed from a location, the college will take appropriate steps to ensure that arrangements are made to keep the service animal safe while allowing the handler to continue their activities.

A service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times, either through the use of a harness, leash, tether, or through an alternative method, such as verbal commands, depending on the task being performed. While we understand that service animals may sometimes exhibit behavior that is not to the standard of a service animal, provoked or not, we encourage handlers to do their best at attempting to regain control of their service animal before any removal is requested.

** Registration with our office is voluntary; however, it may assist faculty in better understanding a student’s needs should the student choose to register. Additionally, it allows staff to make appropriate accommodations for individuals who may have allergies or phobias, ensuring that both parties are properly accommodated.

How will I know if an animal is a service animal or not?

It is important to note that service animals are not required to be licensed, wear a service animal vest, undergo specific training programs, or be registered with a government agency for identification purposes. However, in New York City, all dogs must be up to date on their vaccinations and possess a valid dog license. Therefore, service animals are subject to these requirements as well.

If there is any uncertainty regarding whether an animal qualifies as a service animal, the inquiry must be limited to the following two questions:

1) Is the animal required because of a disability? and
2) What specific work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?

It is illegal to ask the handler to demonstrate the task or to make any further inquiries once the handler has said Yes and can adequately and briefly explain the task the service animal can perform. If the service animal is in training with either a trainer or handler, the same applies as long as the two questions can be adequately answered regarding to what task the service animal is being trained for. If the handler says No or is unable to adequately explain the task the animal can perform, you may ask the handler to remove the animal from the location.

How should I treat the service animal and its handler?

Service animals are specifically trained to assist with the treatment or management of their handler’s disability, and as such, should be treated with the respect and consideration befitting their role. When a service animal is working to assist its handler in public, it is important that it not be distracted by petting, calling out to it, whistling, or any other gestures or sounds that are not typically made by individuals. While we understand that some people have a deep affection for animals, it is essential to remember that service animals should not be treated as pets while performing their duties which can be a life saving measure. When a service animal is working, the handler is simply attempting to complete tasks just like anyone else. Therefore, it is crucial that both the service animal and its handler be allowed to carry out their activities without interruption, unless assistance is specifically requested by the handler.

Am I required to allowed the service animal a seat?

Service animals should remain on the ground unless their specific task requires them to be carried. They are not entitled to a designated seat reserved for individuals in public spaces, such as dining areas or transit. Service animals must remain with their handler at all times in public, either on the ground or on the handler, depending on the animal’s training and the task being performed. It is important to note that not all disabilities are visible, so we kindly request sensitivity when discussing matters related to the need for a service animal.

Access-A-Ride

Access-A-Ride provides public transportation for eligible individuals with disabilities that temporarily or permanently prevent them from utilizing public buses and subways. This shared-ride program operates as either origin-to-destination service or feeder service, accommodating multiple passengers traveling in similar directions. Access-A-Ride serves the five boroughs of New York City and extends to a three-quarter-mile corridor beyond fixed-route services into nearby areas of Nassau and Westchester counties. The program offers non-priority trips with maximum ride times determined by trip distance and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round, in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Students who require this service must complete the application process directly through the MTA’s Access-A-Ride (AAR) website, as this service is not managed or provided by Queens College or its offices. 

Queens College has designated specific locations on campus for Access-A-Ride drop-offs and pick-ups. There are four dedicated points on campus, which are clearly marked on the Campus Map and have been communicated to NYC Transit. Students should instruct their driver to arrive at the most convenient stop, and Public Safety will grant the driver access to the designated area.  

The Campus Map provides detailed information on the locations of Access-A-Ride pick-up and drop-off points, accessibility ramps, and emergency phones. It also outlines pathways for sidewalks, roadways, and grass fields to assist individuals navigating the campus. 

Note: Please be advised that, on occasion, unforeseen circumstances may necessitate changes to the designated drop-off and pick-up locations. To ensure you remain informed, we kindly request that you monitor your email regularly for updates from the college.