Accessibility Services for Students
The Hunter College Office of AccessABILITY
Students are encouraged to register with the Hunter College Office of AccessABILITY in order to receive services offered under ADA guidelines. The Office of AccessABILITY makes accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who are eligible for reasonable accommodations include those with written and certified mobility, visual, or hearing impairments, learning or cognitive disabilities, mental health conditions, and any condition that limits basic functions. Also eligible are students in recovery from alcohol or substance addiction and those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Documentation of disability is required. All information is kept confidential and is only released with the student’s written permission. The office is in the East Building, Room 1214B, Hunter College Main Campus at 68th Street, (212) 772-4857. The webpage for the Office of AccessABILITY is: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/access.
Important Reminders for Students Requesting Accessibility Services:
- Be sure that you have completed the registration process with the AccessABILITY Office at 68th Street, and that you understand what accommodations you are eligible to request.
- Have the ID card provided by AccessABILITY available and ready to produce as needed.
- Please make all accommodation requests as early in the semester as possible. Professors are asked to make reasonable accommodations whenever feasible. Part of their consideration in granting your request may depend on how much notice you have provided.
- Remember that these are requests that may or may not be possible for the professor to accommodate. Please connect the professor (from whom you are requesting an accommodation) with your representative at AccessABILITY, so that your representative may provide all relevant information and advocate on your behalf.
- If you have any questions or are unsure of next steps, please reach out to your AccessABILITY contact at 68th Street, or contact Stephanie David: sd2887@hunter.cuny.edu.
Accessibility Services at the Library
The School of Social Work Library works collaboratively with the Office of AccessABILITY, the Office of Student Services, Silberman’s Educational Technologist, and the AV-ICIT Department to provide assistive technologies and universally accessible library materials. SWUPHL currently maintains access to Dragon, JAWS, and ZoomText softwares (JAWS and ZoomTEXT are now known collectively as Fusion) and access to Kurzweil 3000.
Students with disabilities may contact the Head Librarian, Margaret Bausman, at (212) 396-7659 or mbausman@hunter.cuny.edu for more information about resources and services for students with disabilities. While students are not required to disclose information about the nature of their disability, when contacting the library for access assistance, students should identify themselves as registered with the Office of AccessABILITY and indicate the service accommodations they need. (Students registered with the Office of AccessABILITY have an identifying card that indicates their accommodations; however, not all accommodations may be needed for every situation.)
Assistive Technology at the Library
Students with specific Assistive Technology needs may contact the AV-ICIT Service Desk in the Information Commons of the SWPHL at 212-396-7670. The technologies currently available include the following:
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
- FUSION (JAWS/ZoomText)
- Kurzweil 1000
- Kurzweil 3000 (Note: To download the most up-to-date web version of Kurzweil 3000, students must be registered with the Office of AccessABILITY and use their assigned web credentials.)
During the 2017-2018 academic year, FUSION and Kurzweil 3000 software products will also be available for download on personal and School computers throughout all CUNY campus communities.
The AV-ICIT Department will work with the Office of AccessABILITY to provide other technologies as needed.
Access & Technology Center
Under the auspices of the Office of AccessABILITY, the Access & Technology Center offers adaptive technology and individualized computer training for students with disabilities. This adaptive technology is especially helpful for students who have learning disabilities or visual and hearing impairments. The Center is in the North Building, Room 300, Hunter College Main Campus at 68th Street. The webpage for the Center is: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/access/services-programs/accesscenter.