For more information:
Ute Gomez
Coordinator
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-1
Phone: (607) 753-2066
gomezu@cortland.edu
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Mission
The Student Disability Services Office envisions a campus community where all students with disabilities are valued and informed. Its mission is to facilitate the educational and personal development of SUNY Cortland students with disabilities. Our goal is to ensure equal access to all programs and activities and facilitate the architectural and attitudinal accessibility of the campus environment. Accordingly, the office serves in a multidimensional role as advocate, educator, and coordinator of accommodations. Operational philosophy is rooted in the belief that the persons served are students first and disabilities are secondary.
Program Overview
Policy
SUNY Cortland is committed to upholding and maintaining all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) approved in l990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of l973. As an institution, we are dedicated to ensuring reasonable access to our campus programs and facilities, and continuously seek to augment and improve our services. The Office of Student Disability Services has been designated as the Office that coordinates services for students with documented disabilities who voluntarily identify themselves to the Office.
Direct Service
The Office provides services directly to students or acts on behalf of students with members of the campus community.
- Determines eligibility for services based upon documentation of a disability.
- Maintains confidential student records.
- Provides information to students regarding their legal rights and responsibilities.
- Review of disability documentation and development of a needs assessment.
- Consults with students about appropriate accommodations based on documentation.
- Coordinates auxiliary aides and services.
- Provides personal and educational counseling.
- Assists students in self-monitoring the effectiveness of accommodations.
- Serves as an advocate for students with faculty, administrators, and/or other departmental staff (e.g., health services, residential life, counseling services).
Education and Outreach
The office provides training and expertise regarding disability issues to prospective students/families, campus community, and other organizations.
- Responds to inquiries from prospective students or their families.
- Communicates information regarding program activities and services to students.
- Conducts outreach activities for high school students (e.g., transition workshops, college fairs).
- Consults with administrators and faculty regarding the needs of students with disabilities.
- Provides training for faculty regarding accommodations and auxiliary aides.
- Provides training for institutional administration regarding awareness of disabilities.
Consultation/Collaboration
The office works with campus or community personnel and agencies regarding students with disabilities or disability related issues.
- Liaison with other relevant state, local, or community resources (e.g., rehabilitation services).
- Collaborates with Facilities and Physical Plant to ensure access to campus facilities.
- Gathers information related to adaptive technology and collaborates with Academic Computing to ensure accessibility.
- Serves on campus committees to develop policies/procedures regarding students with disabilities.
- Serves on state and regional councils including SUNY Disability Services Council and The Central New York Post-Secondary Disability Consortium.
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