SUNY College at Old Westbury is committed to providing equal access to its
programs and services for students with disabilities. The university does not
have a specially designed program for students with disabilities, but instead
offers an array of support services and accommodations that are coordinated
by the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD). Along with
fully integrating students with disabilities in the Old Westbury college community,
these services are designed to provide students, faculty and staff with assistance
and information in meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
Students seeking accommodations and services must identify themselves to
OSSD and request an appointment to discuss their needs and requests. Students
are encouraged to register with OSSD as soon as possible after admission
to the College to ensure timely provision of services. Up-to-date documentation
of a disability is required for services; accommodations are provided based
on individual needs and circumstances. Students are encouraged to visit
the OSSD office to meet the staff and learn more about the services available.
Office of Services for Students with Disabilities Staff
Noreen Baskin
Secretary
Building: AV , Room: D-112
Phone: (516) 876-3009
E-mail: baskinn@oldwestbury.edu
Lisa Whitten
Interim Coordinator
Building: AV , Room: D-112
Phone: (516) 876-3009
E-mail: whittenl@oldwestbury.edu
Web Page: http://www.oldwestbury.edu/academics/disabilities.cfm
Available Services and Accommodations
Services offered by OSSD include:
- Counseling
- Advocacy for "reasonable accommodations" in the
classroom
- Assistance with registration
- Financial support referral
- Tutors
- Sign language interpreters
- Readers for the visually impaired or learning
disabled
- Support groups
- Disability rights advocacy
Procedures for Accommodations/Services
A student enrolled at Old Westbury who wishes to receive accommodations
must self-identify as having a disability and make a request to the Office
of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD). The steps are as follows:
- Call or visit OSSD to schedule an appointment with an OSSD staff member
to discuss your disability and types of accommodations and services that
may be needed.
- Have documentation of your disability available to review
and discuss at the meeting. Since accommodations and services are based
on the documentation,
it is important that the information is complete and up-to-date. If the
documentation is lacking in some respect, you will be given the opportunity
to provide
the needed information. Assistance in locating a qualified practitioner
to conduct an assessment is also available. For information regarding documentation
requirements, please contact OSSD.
- OSSD will prepare a
memorandum for each student's instructors
specifying the accommodations needed as supported through documentation
provided by
the student. Students are responsible for picking up their memos from OSSD
and giving them to their instructors as early as possible each semester.
Students should work directly with their instructors to make arrangements
for accommodations in each course. OSSD staff members are available to
assist both students and instructors in implementing accommodations as
they relate
to specific course requirements.
- Throughout the semester, OSSD staff members
are available to discuss academic progress or concerns and provide assistance
to students. Some
direct services
provided by OSSD include help with organization and time management,
study and test-taking strategies, and reading and writing skills.
- Students
must renew their request for accommodations and pick up memos for their
instructors each semester.
Confidentiality
All information related to a student's disability is treated in a confidential
manner. Documentation is kept in a secure file with limited access in the
Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. Such records are not
part of the student's academic record. Disability-related information
may be shared
on a limited basis with other offices on campus (e.g., Counseling Center,
Academic Advising, etc.) in order to provide accommodations and services.
However, this information is shared only with permission of the student.
Office of Services for Students with Disabilities Voluntary Information Form
Specialized links to On-Line Resources:
