Registration Process 

Please note, when attending Queens College or any institution, reasonable accommodations once granted from a previous institution and the student’s disability status do not automatically transfer over to the new institution. Under the ADA, students seeking reasonable accommodations at any institution for Postsecondary education are responsible for self-disclosing their disability and their need for such accommodations in order for appropriate staff to facilitate services offered within the institution.  

Consequently, students must contact the Office of Specical Services (SPSV) and adhere to its policies and procedures to obtain and utilize reasonable accommodations at Queens College, if approved. 

We strongly encourage all students to initiate the registration process with SPSV immediately after acceptance and payment of the deposit. Registration may take up to two weeks to complete even if all the required documents are provided, so beginning the process as early as possible is strongly advised to ensure timely completion of all required documentation.  

Please refrain from making assumptions and ensure you verify any uncertainties directly with our team before proceeding with any actions. 

Students seeking to register with our office must follow the following steps: 

1. 1. Complete the registration request form on Accommodate first. Disability documentation that may not be appropriate, can still be provided for a counselor to evaluate.   
   2. Upon approval for accommodations, your assigned counselor will inform you if updated documentation will be required in the future to maintain continued services. For clarification regarding the appropriate documents for your specific disability or disabilities, please contact our office directly. 
   3. Once the registration request form is filled out and submitted through Accommodate, a counselor will be assigned to review the information and contact the student vis email to determine the next steps.  
   4. If a meeting with a counselor is scheduled, students will meet with their counselor, either in person or through zoom, to review the policies and procedures regarding the student’s approved accommodations.
   5. Students are required to inform their instructors in advance about their accommodations if they wish to utilize them at any point during the semester. This notification is facilitated through an Introduction Letter, which students may request via the Accommodate platform prior to the start of each semester.

It is important to note that an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or the Summary of Performance (SOP) does not automatically qualify a student for accommodations in Postsecondary education, but may be submitted for evaluation.  

In cases where a disability documentation may not meet the criteria for  registration, a counselor may review the material to determine the appropriate steps. All registration in our office is a case by case basis so please contact us about your situation and we will do our best to assist you.  

Note: Students newly registered with SPSV will not be permitted to seek retroactive use of reasonable accommodations. Likewise, students who fail to request, and/or use, their reasonable accommodations are not permitted to demand faculty to provide them retroactively. Faculty are not obligated under the ADA to apply accommodations retroactively. To avoid any delays or issues, students are urged to begin the registration process as early as possible and to request and utilize accommodations proactively. 

Note: Accommodations cannot fundamentally alter the essential nature of a course or compromise its academic integrity. Higher education institutions are not responsible for providing personal services related to a student’s disability. While prior accommodations and recommendations may serve as helpful suggestions, final determinations are made by the student’s counselor in SPSV. 

 Documentation Guidelines 

To ensure that documentation from your healthcare provider is accepted by SPSV, it must meet specific criteria. Please note that counselors have the final authority to determine whether submitted documents are appropriate and will inform students if issues arise. In some cases, temporary accommodations may be granted and subject to updated documentation in future semesters. If updated documentation no longer supports previously approved accommodations as “reasonable,” those accommodations may be adjusted or discontinued accordingly. 

Document must: 

1. 1. Be dated within 3 years of the current request for non-chronic, non-mental health disabilities. For chronic or mental health disabilities, documentation must be dated within 1 year. Diagnoses must align with either the ICD-10 or DSM-IV standards.
   2. Be completed by a licensed healthcare provider who has treated or is currently treating the student. The provider must be qualified to diagnose and treat the disability in question. The unredacted document must be on an official letterhead, include the date, the provider’s title and name, signature, address, and licensing/certification information.
   3. Confirm that there is no familial relationship (by birth or marriage) with the student. The evaluation must be conducted impartially and professionally.
   4. Clearly assess how the disability substantially limits at least one major life activity and its impact on the student’s academic performance. The information provided must include details regarding the progression of the diagnosis, any existing co-morbid conditions, and current medication usage.
   5. Show that recommendations must establish a direct connection between the substantially limiting impairment and the accommodations requested in the academic setting.
   6. Be in English. If the document is in a language other than English, the document must be translated into English and notarized. All documents provided must follow the documentation guidelines established. 

Note: SPSV can provide referrals for specific evaluations if needed. However, students are responsible for covering any expenses incurred in obtaining the required documentation. 

Note: Medical charts will not be accepted, as they do not provide the required information to adequately establish a connection between the substantially limiting impairment and the requested accommodation. 

Note: Queens College reserves the right to have a copy of any documentation regarding a disability to be directly transmitted to SPSV from the student’s relevant licensed healthcare provider or qualified evaluator. 

Note: Queens College reserves the right to request additional documentation for certain disabilities to accurately assess the connection between the substantially limiting impairment and the requested accommodations. 

Note: Accommodations granted on a temporary basis are subject to revision if updated documentation no longer supports the accommodations as reasonable. If such a situation arises, students should consult their counselor promptly for assistance. 

Transitioning from High School to Higher Education

If you are considering attending Queens College and have not previously received accommodations in higher education, we encourage you to review the section on the differences between accommodations in high school and higher education.

While most Postsecondary institutions comply with both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Subpart E (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the responsibilities of these institutions and their students differ significantly from those in the K–12 educational system.

In K–12 education, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Subpart D (Section 504) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) require school districts to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. This mandate places the responsibility on the school district to identify and address the educational needs of students with disabilities, including the provision of necessary aids and services, at no cost to the student or their family.

In higher education, institutions are not governed by FAPE. As a result, colleges and universities are not obligated to identify students with disabilities or cover the costs of services required to meet their educational needs. Students with disabilities must meet the essential requirements of their academic programs, and institutions are required only to provide appropriate academic adjustments to ensure equal access. These adjustments aim to prevent discrimination based on disability, but they do not extend to modifications that would impose an undue financial or administrative burden or fundamentally alter the nature of a program, service, or activity.

Differences

It is important to recognize that the rights and responsibilities of students in postsecondary education differ significantly from those in K–12 education due to variations in governing laws. Parents and students should familiarize themselves with these differences to adjust their expectations if the student chooses to pursue higher education. While students with disabilities often receive accommodations to support their academic success in K–12, the processes, expectations, and scope of accommodations in college can vary substantially. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a smooth transition. For additional information, please refer to the chart below. 

High School vs. College

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Tips to help you transition into college 

1. Adjust your expectations of disability services in college by understanding the differences between accommodations received in high school vs accommodations received in college. The change may be harder for some students than others. Give yourself ample time to adjust by knowing the responsibilities of the college and the responsibilities of the student.  
2. Read the instructions and procedures for the types of documents and forms the disability office requires for registration and work on obtaining all documents and forms needed early. Some documents may take time to obtain so start early.  
3. If there is any confusion regarding the process, students should seek assistance with a staff from SPSV as soon as possible. Students will need to start advocating for themselves in college by communicating their needs effectively to staff and faculty. 
4. Check out all the resources and services Queens College offers, and take advantage of them to best support you during your time here.  

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