Disability Services & Accommodations

SUNY Ulster's faculty and staff are understanding and responsive to the needs of students with disabilities. Students who plan to request academic accommodations should visit or call Disability Services. The College will assist eligible students with the process of acquiring testing and classroom accommodations. Students will need to provide disability documentation and should request these services early, so the College can make the necessary arrangements. Disability documentation should be submitted to the Disability Services Coordinator.

In order to use approved accommodations students must pick up an accommodation letter from Disability Services each semester, and share it with their professors. In order to receive the letter, each semester students must first submit a signed release form to Disability Services, confirming that the student wants the letter released to them.

Eric Fortune-Reader
Director of Accessibility
Vanderlyn 128A
disability_services@ sunyulster.edu
(845) 687-5121

Campus Accommodations

All buildings and classrooms on the Stone Ridge campus are wheelchair accessible.
An elevator is available in the library and library staff will retrieve materials from the mezzanine for students unable to access that area.
Four elevators, located throughout the campus offer students access to all other levels of the campus.
Restrooms designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities are located in each building throughout the campus.
The parking lots offer parking spaces reserved for vehicles with accessibility symbols.
Campus parking stickers for students with disabilities are issued by Campus Security located in the Hasbrouck Building (HAS 106).

Academic Accommodations

Students needing classroom and testing accommodations are encouraged to request these services before the start of the academic semester, so that the necessary arrangements can be made in a timely manner. In order to set up accommodations please submit documentation of disability to Disability_Services@sunyulster.edu.

Accommodation Letters

Testing Center (HAS 101)

The Testing center proctors exams for students with approved testing accommodations. Taking an exam in the Testing Center ensures that students have access to all their approved testing accommodations. Students who wish to take an exam in the Testing Center, must make an appointment and notify their professor. Appointments must be made at least two full business days in advance. Appointments can be made by emailing testingcenter@sunyulster.edu and CCing the professor. The appointment email must include the date and time of the exam appointment, and the name of the course. All information must be included in the email for the appointment to be made.

Technology

Every student computer on campus is equipped with Word, and Read, Write Gold for spelling help, text reading, word look up, and font changes. Disability Services can lend devices to students who have approved accommodations for that device (ex: tape recorder, or FM transmitter). Students must sign the items out in VAN 101. If the items are not returned after the semester, a hold may be placed on the student’s account. The college also subscribes to several providers of books in alternate format. Students with an approved accommodation for books in alternate format will be given an account to these services. Students must independently locate their books on this account, but Disability Services can help if having difficulty. Additionally if a needed book is not available through those services, Disability Services can help students secure those books, but it can take time, so students should make their requests early.

Classroom Changes for Mobility Disabilities

Students with Mobility Disabilities can request classroom changes if the location is inappropriate for their needs, but they must do so well before the semester begins. Students can contact the Disability Services Coordinator before the beginning of the semester to identify any structural barriers requiring a room change.

Additional Accommodations

Issue with Campus, Class, or Professor

Any time students with approved accommodations have a concern or issue they should bring it to the attention of the Disability Services Coordinator. The Disability Services Coordinator will work directly with the student and anyone else necessary to find satisfactory solutions for everyone. Disability Services can work with staff and faculty to address student concerns, and can also support students to advocate for themselves. Additionally, updates to approved accommodations can be made based on documented need. For issues to be resolved students must report those issues to the Disability Services Coordinator, and remain involved, providing any needed information, until the matter has been satisfactorily addressed.

Student Support Services/TRIO

All students with disabilities can participate in Student Support Services, a federally funded TRIO grant program that provides academic, career, transfer, and financial aid counseling.

All students can also use tutoring services, learning specialists, and study space through the Center for Academic Planning & Support in VAN 247, (845) 687-5039, caps@sunyulster.edu.

Outside Agencies

The College works cooperatively with outside agencies such as the Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), the Mental Health Association of Ulster County, Ulster County Mental Health, and the New York Department of Labor to provide an accessible learning environment for its student population.

Q: I didn’t pick up my accommodation letter yet, is it too late?

A: No, accommodation letters are available all semester long, and professors must accept them anytime. However, accommodations are not retroactive, so if a student gives a professor an accommodation letter late in the semester, the professor doesn’t need to allow the student to redo things from before the accommodations letter was submitted. The student will still be entitled to all their accommodations moving forward after they have given the letter to their professor.

Q: I forgot to email the Testing Center and now my test is less than two full business days away. Can I still get an appointment?

A: Possibly. It depends on availability, how many other students are scheduled, and what their needs are. As soon as a student realizes they have an exam they should email for the appointment because the Testing Center may be able to accommodate them despite the late notice. Any time an appointment is made with at least two full business days of notice the Testing Center guarantee that the student’s testing accommodations are provided. When a student schedules late, then the Testing Center may be unable to secure adequate space and staffing in time to meet the student’s needs.

Q: I want to take my test in my classroom, am I allowed to?

A: Yes. Students always have the right to refuse any approved accommodation. Students can choose when and if they want to use their accommodations.

Q: I think my accommodations need to change. Is there anything I can do?

A: Yes, notify the Disability Services Coordinator right away. Changes can be made to student accommodations as long as there is documentation supporting the need. Sometimes a file review is enough to make the requested change. Other times a Dr.’s note, new verification form, or new evaluation may be needed. The first step is notifying the Disability Services Coordinator.

Q: A professor is refusing to follow my accommodation letter, is there anything I can do?

A: Yes, notify the Disability Services Coordinator right away. Students are entitled to their approved accommodations and no single professor or staff member can deny any student those accommodations. If Disability Services does not know about the issue we cannot work to resolve it.

Q: I have a disability or I had an IEP or 504 in High school, how do I get accommodations in College?

A: Students will need to provide disability documentation and should request these services early, so the College can make the necessary arrangements. All Disability documentation should be submitted to the Disability Services Coordinator. Acceptable disability documentation is either:

A psycho-educational evaluation, neuro-psych evaluation, or psychological evaluation
An IEP or 504 plan WITH assessments listed above or other supporting evaluations
A disability verification form completed by an appropriate professional (link to PDF) WITH assessments listed above or other supporting evaluations