If you are a college student in New York state, it does not make a difference if you attend NYU, Cornell, SUNY, CUNY, or community college: you can request reasonable accommodations for your disability.

Federal law requires any college or university that receives federal funding to provide accessible education to qualified students with disabilities. If any students at a school access federal financial aid, then that school is beholden to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Subpart E and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Virtually all higher education institutions in New York state—both public and private—accept some measure of federal funding. Meaning, all college and university students in New York are guaranteed equitable access to education under federal disability rights law.

Process of Accessing College Accommodations

The exact procedure for requesting disability accommodations differs from school to school, but the overall process looks something like this:

1. Locate the Proper Office

Your school should have a coordinator or office dedicated to ensuring equitable access. Names vary: Disability Services Office, Disability Student Services (DSS), Disability Resources, Access and Equity, and Student Accessibility Services (SAS) are common variations. Here, we use “Disability Services.” If you are unsure whom to contact, ask your advisor.

2. Request Accommodations

Disability Services will use an initial registration or application to collect relevant information about you and how your disability impacts your educational experience. Aim to be specific in describing your needs. Explain as best you can how your disability affects you in the college setting, rather than simply stating a diagnosis.

3. Provide Documentation

You will need to submit documentation verifying your disability. What counts as adequate documentation varies from college to college. However, you will be required to provide a diagnosis from a medical professional. Contact Disability Services to clarify what documentation is required in your case. Your documentation should situate your diagnosis in the context of your education.

For example: Rather than simply stating, “This student has ADHD,” your documentation should explain how your ADHD affects you in an educational environment.

If you had an IEP or 504 Plan in high school, you should provide it. They can be highly valuable as a starting point. If you do not have a copy of your IEP or 504 Plan, email your school principal or superintendent and they can direct you to the proper channels. Do not assume your IEP or 504 plan will be sufficient documentation of your disability, however. Contact the Disability Services Office to confirm.

4. Interactive Process

Expect to meet with a Disability Services coordinator to discuss how to make the educational environment equitable for you. Have a candid conversation about your needs, and ask what options are realistically available to you. Unless you grant permission and make the proper arrangements, this conversation will be just between you, the student and the disability accommodations coordinator—not your parent or guardian.

5. Manage Your Accommodations

Students with disabilities are entitled to the support of campus faculty and staff, but you, the student are the driver of the accommodations process. The Disability Services Office will provide you with letters to share with your professors, but it is up to you to deliver them.

For example: When your class is scheduled for an exam, it is up to you to make arrangements for accessible testing. Often, this means contacting the Disability Services Office and informing them you have a test in Class 101 with Professor Teacher on October 1^st at 9:20 AM. Disability Services may then reach out to your professor to ensure you have adequate arrangements. Your professor might handle arrangements themselves, or the Disability Services Office may handle your exam.

∞ Continue Coordinating with Student Disability Services

Some Disability Services coordinators are more involved than others. Do not assume that someone will reach out to you to coordinate your accommodations whenever the need arises. It is your responsibility to initiate and continue the process each semester. Anticipate situations where you will need to contact your Disability Services Office and prepare accordingly.

You may need to coordinate with Disability Services when:

• The semester begins
• Dropping a course
• Taking a new course
• Switching to a different course section
• Changing majors/minors
• An exam is scheduled or rescheduled
• You are not receiving adequate accommodations
• The instructor changes/a substitute steps in
• Your classroom moves
• Your class changes format
• Your accommodation needs change

This list will look different depending on your individual situation: your disability, the nature of your individual accommodations, and the procedures of your school and Disability Services Office.

Your School’s Obligation to You as a Student with a Disability

In the higher education setting, colleges are not required to modify the curriculum to ensure your educational success. However, they are obligated to ensure your access to the educational experience. If faculty or staff fail in that obligation, you are being denied your right to equitable access. Contact your Disability Services Office immediately.

It is not on you, as the student, to justify yourself or your disability to your professors or peers. You never need to disclose the specifics of your disability or diagnosis to your teachers or classmates. Instead, it is the responsibility of campus Disability Services to make the educational experience accessible to you. If their support is inadequate, delays are impacting your college career, or the school claims your accommodations are unreasonable, consider reaching out to a disability advocate or higher education attorney.

Tully Rinckey attorneys understand that issues surrounding disability accommodations in higher education can be challenging, and they will handle your matter with the attention and tact it deserves. If you have additional questions about your rights as a student with a disability, our team of attorneys is available to assist you today. Please call 8885294543 to schedule a consultation, or schedule a consultation online.

Greg T. Rinckey is one of Tully Rinckey PLLC’s two founding partners. He worked with Founding Partner and fellow Hofstra University alum Mathew B. Tully in 2004 to build the firm from the ground up into the coast-to-coast, full-service powerhouse that it is today. As Founding Partner, Greg collaborates with Mat in all areas of strategic planning and law practice management to develop and deploy innovative business solutions that continue to grow the firm.