All CUNY colleges will now manage introduction letters and certain accommodations through a centralized platform called Accommodate. Students are required to log in to their Accommodate account to submit requests for the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SPSV) staff to send introduction letters and/or accommodation requests to their instructors. Upon submission, instructors will receive an email notification regarding the request and will be required to log in to Accommodate to respond accordingly. 

For further details, please refer to the official memo issued to all CUNY colleges by CUNY Central on the Accommodate Tab.

Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions: Working with Students with Disabilities page for common questions instructors frequently have regarding accommodations.  

To promote success to all students, we suggest implementing some if not all of these strategies below to enhance the learning experience in the classroom. 

Before The Semester Begins 

Before courses are opened for scheduling in the upcoming semester, instructors are encouraged to provide a brief description of the class, including any key requirements. Additionally, if specific software, textbooks, or extracurricular activities are required for the course, this information should also be included. Providing these details in advance allows students to assess whether the course aligns with their needs and expectations. It also enables students registered with our office to determine if adjustments to their accommodations may be necessary prior to the start of the course. 

Instructors should post the course syllabus as soon as it becomes available. Early access to the syllabus ensures that students requiring accommodations, such as screen readers or alternative text formats, have sufficient time to work with our office to make materials accessible if they are not already. It also allows students who have not registered or are unsure about their diagnosis, enough time to contact us and get registered if eligible. Instructors are strongly encouraged to select educational materials that are inherently accessible to all students. If materials are not initially accessible, instructors should take the necessary steps to ensure accessibility. 

Furthermore, the following statement should be included in the syllabus to inform students of the process for registering with our office if they have not yet done so: 

“The Office of Special Services (SPSV) is committed to supporting students with qualifying disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access. If you have previously received accommodations due to a disability, believe you may have a disability, or have a temporary disability, please visit the office’s website for further information on the assistance they can offer you. Accommodations are not retroactive, so you are encouraged to get registered sooner rather than later. You may also contact their office at qc.spsv@qc.cuny.edu or call 718-997-5870 during office hours for assistance as well.” 

Students may provide their introduction letters to instructors at any time during the semester prior to utilizing an accommodation; however, they are strongly encouraged to do so before the semester begins. Instructors are therefore advised to regularly check their email for any introduction letters sent through the Accommodate system. 

If an issue arises regarding a specific accommodation or its implementation within the course, instructors must address the matter directly with the counselor listed on the introduction letter, not with the student. It is inappropriate for instructors to modify, disregard, or reject accommodations approved by the Office of Special Services, or to make independent arrangements with the student. Instructors are required to adhere strictly to the accommodations outlined in the introduction letter. 

During the Semester 

 Once the semester begins, we strongly encourage instructors to read the statement regarding our office to their class. This ensures that all students are aware of the opportunity to register with our office if they have not already done so. It is important to speak to students privately about accommodations and to refrain from asking or pressuring them to disclose their disability, as doing so is both inappropriate and a violation of the laws. Additionally, instructors must not pressure or compel students to utilize accommodations or register with our office, as the decision to seek accommodations is entirely the student’s right. However, instructors may make a general announcement to the class reminding students that, if they wish to receive accommodations, they should register with our office as soon as possible or follow the established procedures for utilizing their accommodations if they are already registered. 

Students with disabilities are still required to meet all program requirements in order to be qualified. If a student engages in behavior that violates the code of student conduct—such as being disruptive or engaging in harmful actions—they should be reported for disciplinary action, regardless of their disability status. The same applies if academic integrity is compromised. Similarly, if a student fails to meet the academic standards necessary to pass a course, even after utilizing their accommodations or choosing not to do so, assigning a failing grade is appropriate and justified.  

TBA

Universal Design Guide