Services for Students with Disabilities

Statement of non-discrimination on the basis of learning or psychological disability

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Bard College is committed to providing otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities equal access to the College's academic courses, programs, and activities. In support of this mission, the College provides services and reasonable accommodations to self-identified students who present the appropriate documentation.

Procedure for Registering for Accommodations

Students who claim learning or psychological disabilities should register with The Academic Support Specialist in the Academic Resources Center at the start of the semester or as soon as the diagnosis of disability is made. The student will be asked to present documentation supporting the claim to disability and suggested accommodations.

Forms are available at:
http://www.bard.edu/admission/forms/pdfs/disability.pdf

The Academic Support Specialist provides registered students with letters detailing recommended accommodations that students can choose to present to faculty. The student is responsible for meeting with the instructor to review the contents of the letter and for arranging particular in-class accommodations.

Students meet with the Academic Support Specialist at the start of each semester to arrange accommodations for the classes being taken that term, and periodically throughout the semester to assess the efficacy of the accommodations being provided.

Accommodations

Students who have a properly documented disability are entitled to reasonable accommodations or modifications. 'Reasonable' is here understood to exclude any accommodation or modification that places an undue burden (a significant expense or difficulty) on the college or would produce a fundamental alteration of the college's programs or services. Typical accommodations include, but are not limited to: exam modifications (extended time, alternative formats, private rooms); alternative ways of completing assignments; auxiliary aids and services. The Academic Resources Center offers coaching and technical support for students with disabilities. Coaching includes study skills training, time management, organizational skills training and education about alternative learning methods. Tutoring for every subject is available, as well as extensive assistance with writing assignments.

Academic Resources works with Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic to procure books on tape/CD for students when such books are requested.

Kurzweil 3000, a screen reading program specifically designed for students with learning disabilities is now available for use at the Academic Resources Center. This program enables students to read and listen to materials at the same time, including any information from web reserve or the Internet. Students can also scan articles and books in order to hear these materials read to them. Academic Resources also has Kurzweil 1000, a voice activated screen reading program specifically designed for vision impaired students available for those who need it. Training for each of these programs is available.

The particular accommodations afforded a student will be determined jointly by the student and the Academic Support Specialist. What is considered appropriate for one student may not be considered appropriate for another student. The College reserves the right to refuse particular accommodations if other accommodations will serve the student's needs equally as well and place less of a burden on the College.

Grievance Policy

Students who think they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability should file a detailed written complaint with the Academic Support Specialist as soon as possible after the alleged discrimination occurred. The Academic Support Specialist will investigate the complaint and issue a report, normally within 30 days. Unsatisfactory resolutions should be taken up with the Dean of Lower College Studies.

Students who file a complaint are protected against retaliation in any form. If a student suspects that such retaliation has occurred, s/he should file a written complaint, as per the above.