** Our office is presently undergoing a transition, which may impact existing procedure going forward. While we will make every effort to keep you informed, please be advised that all procedures and information on this website are subject to change.
General Guidelines
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAA), no qualified individual with a disability shall be denied benefits, excluded from participation, or otherwise discriminated against solely based on their disability. These laws uphold and extend the compliance standards established in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, encompassing all policies, procedures, and practices that affect the treatment of students with disabilities. For simplicity, references to the ADA mentioned going forward shall be understood to include both the ADA and ADAA.
Accommodations deemed “reasonable” are approved by the student’s counselor at the Office of Special Services (SPSV) to eliminate or reduce barriers related to a disability, ensuring a level playing field without granting undue advantage to students with disabilities. Such accommodations are determined on an individualized basis, taking into account the specific needs supported by documentation and the unique requirements of each course. While accommodations may vary depending on course demands, they are not required to fundamentally alter the essential nature of the course or impose an undue administrative or financial burden. Additionally, the academic standards and integrity of all courses must be preserved for accommodations to be deemed reasonable.
For students new to our office, a brief description of how our office operates is provided on this section. Should you have any questions or concerns not addressed on this website, we invite you to reach out to our staff for clarification and assistance. Please refrain from making assumptions and ensure you verify any uncertainties directly with our team before proceeding with any actions.
Registration Process
It is often mistakenly assumed that registration with our office is automatic for students who have previously received accommodations at another institution. However, this is not the case. In higher education, regardless of a student’s age, it is their responsibility to contact the appropriate office at their institution to initiate the registration process for services, if eligible. Under the ADA, faculty and staff are not required to independently identify and provide accommodations, making it essential for students to proactively register with the Office of Special Services as early as possible if they wish to receive support.
Students seeking registration with our office to obtain reasonable accommodations for a diagnosed disability (or disabilities) under the ADA must submit current and appropriate documentation for each condition in a timely manner. Accommodations are determined on an individual basis following a thorough review of the documentation by the student’s assigned counselor. Throughout this process, students are encouraged to advocate for themselves, clearly communicating their needs and raising any concerns regarding their accommodations. Accommodation services can only be requested once the necessary documentation is received, reviewed, and the counselor has informed the student of the approved accommodations supported by the documentation.
The registration process may take up to two weeks, so we strongly encourage students to contact our office well in advance before the semester starts, but registration is accepted throughout the year. Accommodations under the ADA cannot be applied retroactively; thus, early registration ensures ample time for any issues to be resolved prior to the start of the semester. For detailed instructions on registering with our office, please refer to our Registration page.
** For prospective students who are visiting and not yet enrolled at Queens College, we encourage you to notify the coordinator you are speaking with if you require accommodations due to a disability, such as the need for an interpreter. If you do not need accommodations or want to disclose your disability needs, you do not have to. Once you are officially enrolled at Queens College, our office will be available to assist you with accommodations moving forward.
Utilizing Accommodations
Before the semester begins, or once a student is registered with the Office of Special Services, the student must inform their counselor of the professors to whom they wish to send their semester-specific Introduction Letter. After professors are notified of the approved accommodations via this letter, it is the student’s responsibility to request specific services from the office following the procedures established for each accommodation.
If a student feels that an approved accommodation is not appropriate for them in general or for a particular class, they must promptly inform their counselor. Since accommodations cannot be applied retroactively, it is critical to address concerns as soon as possible. Any adjustments to accommodations will take effect only after the counselor confirms the changes. Additional information regarding registration and student responsibilities can be found on our Student Guidelines page.
Grievance Process
While our office is committed to ensuring students with disabilities receive equitable treatment under the law, we recognize that issues may occasionally arise. In accordance with federal regulations, institutions such as Queens College are mandated to establish formal grievance procedures to ensure the prompt and equitable resolution of conflicts.
If a student believes their accommodation is not appropriate for class or encounter challenges with accessibility, they should notify their counselor or a staff member in the office immediately. If the student and counselor cannot reach a resolution, the student may request a meeting with the counselor’s supervisor. Persistent unresolved issues may be escalated to the Vice President for Student Affairs for further review and resolution.