Accessibility and Mobility | Support Services | Academic Accommodation
DSS staff continually seeks to identify and remove physical or programmatic barriers that impede the progress of individuals with disabilities. Students are asked to inform DSS of any accessibility problems they encounter on campus including facility problems such as broken doors and elevators. The President's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advisory Committee is concerned with these issues, particularly the Accessibility Sub-committee. Each year, a member of STAC (Students Towards an Accessible Campus) is welcomed on the committee to assure student representation.
Transportation on Campus
Students have two methods of transportation available to them on campus:
Housing
DSS staff works with Campus Residences to provide accessible housing and to address any issues related to accessibility and accommodations in the residence halls. Details about the types of housing options available on campus can be found on the Campus Residences website (http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/res/index.aspx)
Students with documented severe medical, psychological, psychiatric, mobility , visual or hearing impairment conditions may require that accommodations to standard campus housing might be necessary.
The function of DSS is to evaluate documented conditions and determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations. Housing accommodations are made only in situations where the documentation clearly demonstrates that the accommodation is a medical necessity.
Students who wish to request a housing accommodation will need to complete and submit the Documentation for Residence Hall Room Adjustments forms for accessible housing and other disability related accommodations (Not single room) .
Choose Documentation for Medical Single requests ONLY For students with severe disabilities that prohibit their living with a roommate. A recommendation from DSS for the Accommodation of a Single room is subject to renewal each semester as needed unless waived by your DSS counselor.
In order to be considered for this accommodation you may be asked for updated medical and/or psychological/psychiatric documentation from your treatment practitioner.
In order to best meet your needs it would be best if documentation is submitted by the following dates:
Incoming new students:
Returning students:
While applications submitted after these dates will be accepted and considered, we cannot guarantee that Campus Residences will be able to meet late applicants’ accommodation needs.
In order to determine eligibility the student must meet/ speak with a counselor at Disability Support Services and provide an explanation with examples of how the disabling condition impacts their daily life impacting their ability to live in standard housing.
When a recommendation is made to Campus Residences they are not advised of your diagnosis. Information about the diagnosis and treatment of your condition remains confidential. It is entirely your choice to share or not share this information.
Meal Plan Accommodations
As a general rule, incoming students are placed in residence halls based on their college of interest. The Undergraduate Colleges are made up of buildings that offer both non cooking and cooking facilities. Some buildings require participation in the meal plan.
Campus Dining offers many options and is capable of accommodating many different dietary needs. Please visit the Campus Dining http://campusdining.org/ to learn more.
Occasionally, however, students have special dietary needs based on documented health conditions which may affect their ability to participate in the dining program. Students who wish to request a meal plan accommodation should complete and submit the Documentation for Residence Hall Room Adjustments to Disability Support Services.
If you have special dietary needs based on allergies or other medical conditions it is important for you to meet with our Campus Dining Nutritionist who will evaluate your needs and dietary restrictions to determine whether or not Campus Dining Services is able to meet your needs. Call (631) 632-9979 to make an appointment.
Alternate Format & Books on Tape
DSS must be supplied in advance of the semester with the necessary information (book name, author & edition ISBN number) in order to access Alternative format books for students.
DSS maintains an account with Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic and when given sufficient time can also work with textbook publishers to secure permission to access E-texts. Students are advised to use priority registration in order to select classes early enough so that the student may contact their course departments regarding book lists in advance. In order to secure alternate format students must send their requests to DSS prior to the start of the semester.
Adaptive Equipment
DSS has a limited supply of equipment that may be borrowed on a short-term loan basis, such as tape recorders, an FM amplification system, and Telephone Typewriters (TTY.) Elevator keys are available on a temporary basis for students requiring them. A deposit is required.
Academic Advisement
The Undergraduate Academic Advising Center is available for all general educational advisement needs. For specific degree requirements, students are required to seek advisement related to their major from the appropriate departmental advisor. Graduate students receive advisement within their department or program. For questions regarding disability issues, DSS provides supplemental academic advisement. DSS may assist with questions regarding fulfilling University educational requirements, course substitution policies, time management, course loads and study skills.
DSS Counseling
The professional counseling staff at Disability Support Services includes a Learning Disabilities Specialist and two Clinical Social Workers. These counselors are available for confidential consultation, crisis intervention and brief supportive counseling.
For students with psychological disabilities, a DSS Counselor can provide medical referrals and act as a supportive liaison between the community mental health professionals and the University. This Counselor can also help the student identify ways to enhance academic performance by reducing stress through lifestyle and environmental adjustments. Students are advised to seek frequent consultations to establish a close working relationship.
Workshops on various topics that promote health, emotional balance and personal development are scheduled based on student need and interest. Managing anxiety, assertiveness training, leadership skills and meditation techniques are examples of the types of workshops that may be offered.
Support groups for students meet regularly. Call DSS if you are interested in participating in a group.
The Learning Disabilities Specialist can assist students with learning-based disabilities to negotiate their coursework. Individual and group workshops for improving study skills and test-taking are available upon request. The Learning Disabilities Specialist is available for referral for diagnostic testing and educational programming, to meet accommodation needs and to provide in-service training to the University community.
Priority Registration
Students registered with DSS are entitled to Priority Registration beginning with their second semester at Stony Brook. Priority Registration allows registered students with disabilities to consider their specific disability needs with regard to the scheduling of classes. Priority Registration dates and information are available through SOLAR enrollment appointments. (Typically early November and April.)
To take advantage of this policy, students are responsible for 1) preparing their class schedule on time and 2) clearing any blocks due to library fines, parking tickets, inadequate health records, etc.
When arranging your schedule, it is important to consider the time necessary to travel from building to building between classes. Also consider where you might have to park and the particular accessibility features of the buildings you will be using. Be sure to avoid scheduling classes back to back if you need extended test time. Disability Support Services can answer questions about campus accessibility.
DSS Student Lounge
The DSS student lounge provides an informal location for students to meet. Lockers are available for both short term and semester use. Personal computers may be used by students to check e-mail, grades etc. Students Taking Aim at Challenges (STAC) also meets regularly in the lounge.
Students Taking Aim at Challenges
Students Taking Aim at Challenges (STAC) is a polity-funded club for students with and without disabilities. STAC's goals are to increase accessibility, promote awareness of issues faced by individuals with disabilities and to provide socialization opportunities for club members. Information about the club and meeting dates/times are available through the DSS office.
Newsletter
The DSS Newsletter is published each semester. Important dates, events and opportunities are highlighted. Student contributions are encouraged.
Academic Accommodations
Each semester, students must give their written permission for DSS to send letters to their professors stating the specific accommodations being requested. Be sure to make appointments with both counselors and professors early each semester to discuss your individual needs.
Services for Students with Vision and Hearing Impairments
Assistance can be provided in locating note takers, readers, and interpreters through the DSS office. Please be sure to allow DSS sufficient time to make necessary arrangements.
Test Modification/Proctoring
If you are eligible for testing modifications such as extended time, a reader, a scribe or a different testing site, you will need to work with a DSS staff member to coordinate these services. It is the student's responsibility to discuss accommodations and make arrangements for the delivery of services with faculty and DSS.
Note-takers
Volunteer and/or paid note-takers are utilized to assist students unable to take notes. Students can be given the Request for Note-taker/ Reader Form from their DSS counselor. NCR (carbon-free) paper is provided on an as-needed basis. DSS does not photocopy notes for students.
Tutors
Although we are not mandated to provide tutors by law, DSS tries to maintain a small budget to provide students with one tutor for two hours weekly each semester. If funded we can only offer one tutor for one subject each semester. Please place your request early.