Disability Services General Information

Under the provision of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, colleges and universities receiving federal funds may not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, education or treatment of students. Students who have self-identified, provided documentation of a disability and requested reasonable accommodations are entitled to receive approved modifications, appropriate academic adjustments or auxiliary aids that enable them to participate in and benefit from all educational programs and activities.

The Coordinator of Disability Services in the Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for providing assistance to both students and faculty in accommodating students with disabilities. The Coordinator serves as the primary resource for student issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Questions/concerns regarding students with disabilities should be directed to the Coordinator c/o the Office of Academic Affairs, Kearney 202.

Admissions

The admission standards and procedures for students with disabilities are the same as for all applicants. Students are evaluated on the basis of their high school or college transcript and grade point average, as well as on standardized test scores. Contact the appropriate Admissions Office (Undergraduate, Transfer or Graduate) for information regarding the application process and to arrange a campus tour. A tour is strongly suggested to evaluate the accessibility of the campus based on your individual circumstances. Please visit the SJFC Admissions website for more information.

Foreign Language Requirement for Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs

A student whose documentation verifies a waiver of the high school foreign language requirement will be exempt from taking the foreign language sequence for the B.A. Degree program. However, the student must complete the two-course College Core requirement for "Intercultural Perspectives & Languages” (P5). The course options to complete the P5 Core include non-language courses and American Sign Language.

Foreign Language Requirement for NYS Teacher Certification

A two-course sequence in one foreign language or in American Sign Language fills the requirement for NYS Teacher Certification.

Process for Accepted Students to Request Accommodations

At the post-secondary level, disclosure of a disability is voluntary. In general, documentation of disability should only be submitted to the Coordinator of Disability Services after an offer of admission has been made. The College will determine eligibility and appropriate services, case by case, based on the quality, relevance and completeness of the documentation submitted. Refer to St. John Fisher College's Policy on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities for specific detailed information. The College's Guidelines for Documentation of Disability are adopted from the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).

• Complete and return the Disability Services Request card (.PDF) that is enclosed in the Registration Packet for accepted/deposited students.
• When the Disability Services Request card is returned to the Office of Academic Affairs, we will send a Release of Confidential Information Form (.PDF). Complete and sign the “Release” form and return it with the documentation of disability to the Office of Academic Affairs at least 6 weeks prior to the start of classes.
• The responsible College staff will review the documentation and accommodation request and will notify the student of the accommodation plan.
• Accommodations are arranged on a semester-by-semester basis. It is the student's responsibility to contact the Coordinator of Disability Services or Director of Residential Life (for housing accommodations) each semester, to ensure that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Late requests may result in a delay in receiving accommodations.
• The cost of providing the required documentation shall be borne by the student. The final determination for providing appropriate and reasonable accommodations rests with the College.

Tutoring Services

Students with disabilities must meet the same competencies in all courses as all other students. Unlike high school, there are no resource rooms or special education classes at the College. Peer tutoring services and assistance through the Writing Center and the Math Center, which are available to all St. John Fisher College students, are intended to augment, not substitute, for independent study and preparation. Note: The need for tutoring is seen as a function of the student's preparation/ability to handle college level work, not as a function of disability. Tutoring is not a required service under Section 504 and the ADA, even if the student with a disability will not survive academically without it. Disability laws focus on equal access, not success.

Academic Accommodations*

St. John Fisher College provides academic accommodations as supported by the student's documentation and those required by Section 504 and ADA laws. Typical accommodations may include, but are not limited to, alternate testing arrangements (extended time, alternate location, use of a word processor), or a note taker for class notes. At St. John Fisher College, support services, such as note taking and exam proctoring are provided by students under the supervision of the Coordinator of Disability Services.

With the student's written permission, an Academic Accommodation Verification form (.PDF) will be prepared so the student can notify the faculty of their need for accommodations. It is the student's responsibility to meet with their faculty, within the first 2 weeks of each semester, to discuss the accommodations as they might relate to course format and requirements, to obtain the faculty signatures on the Verification form and to return the form as indicated.

Extended Test Time/Alternate Location

At the college level, extended time is generally defined as 1.5 X the standard test time. Students whose documentation supports extended time, and who have approval from their faculty, may take their tests/exams under proctor supervision in the library. To be eligible for test accommodations, the student must have their Academic Accommodation Verification Form (.PDF) signed by their faculty and returned to the Office of Academic Affairs (O.A.A.) within the deadline each semester. To utilize the test accommodations, students must complete a Service Request Form in O.A.A. at least 4 business days prior to the scheduled test date.

Readers

Students with supporting documentation may be provided with a person to read tests or exams. The proctor will read the questions aloud and may repeat a question if requested. The reader may not coach the student toward an answer. Students also have the option of using the Kurzweil reading software, which is available on the adaptive computer station in the library.

Note Takers

Students whose documentation supports the need for note takers are asked to notify the Coordinator within the first two weeks of classes if they need a note taker in any class. The Coordinator will hire a note taker who will provide the student with a photo or email copy of their class notes. The student note taker is someone who is enrolled in the same course(s) and who meets designated qualifications, including a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Books in Audio/Alternate Format

Students who require an audio textbook must apply to the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (www.rfbd.org) and, if applicable, to the New York State Library for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (www.nysl.nysed.gov/tbbl/). There is a modest fee for services from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. If the book is not available from RFB&D, the Coordinator will assist the student in obtaining the alternate text from the publisher or alternate source. The student is responsible for requesting the alternate text approximately 6 weeks prior to each semester, for purchasing a standard copy of the text and for signing an agreement that he will not copy or reproduce the alternate format text.

Adaptive Technology Workstation

St. John Fisher College library has an Adaptive Technology PC Workstation for use by students with disabilities. The system includes Dragon Naturally Speaking – voice recognition application; Zoomtext – large screen magnification program designed specifically for individuals with visual impairment; and Kurzweil 3000 – scanning software that provides audio feedback and visual cues. Students who wish to use the workstation are required to schedule a training session with the Library's Media Technician.

*Note: The process for accessing academic accommodations for Graduate-level courses may vary.

Housing Accommodations

Resident students who wish to request housing accommodations due to disability should complete and return the Disability Service Request Card (.PDF) at least six weeks prior to the start of the semester. A Release of Confidential Information Form (.PDF) and appropriate documentation is required for consideration of housing requests. The Director of Residential Life has primary responsibility for the supervision and management of the Residential Life program.

Handicap Parking

In accordance with New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws, handicap spaces in campus parking lots are reserved for those vehicles displaying authorized handicap parking permits or license plates. Please note that the Safety and Security Department does not issue, nor is authorized to issue, temporary handicap parking permits. Contact the Safety and Security Department (585-385-8325) with questions.