specific accommodations

• Interpreter Services
• CART Services
• Assistive Listening Devices
• Priority Registration
• Print Material in Alternative Format
• Testing Accommodation
• Audio-Taping Class Lectures
• Note-Taking Services
• Classroom Relocation
• Elevator Access
• Parking
• Housing

Interpreter Services

To request interpreters please contact Disability Services well in advance of when services are needed. If you need interpreter services for classes yo are strongly encouraged to submit requests four weeks before classes begin. At least two weeks must be given for one-time events such as tutoring or meetings with professors. Failure to do so may limit our ability to meet your needs. Our best efforts will be made to honor requests made on shorter notice, with the understanding that interpreters may not be available.

Requesting a particular interpreter
You are free to recommend the use of an interpreter of your choice, with the understanding that all arrangements for services will be made ONLY through Disability Services. You should not attempt to make arrangements yourself. Disability Services will not pay for interpreters that were not arranged through our office. Every effort will be made to hire the interpreter you request. However, there may be occasions when this is not possible.

Computer Aided Real Time (CART) Services

CART services are the near verbatim transformation of the spoken word into a visual text display on a computer screen. All of the same policies and timelines for interpreters apply for CART users. Please review above information.

Assistive Listening Devices

Several amplification systems are available to improve hearing ability in large areas, such as lecture halls and auditoriums, as well as in interpersonal situations (group discussions and instructor conferences). This accommodation requires the faculty member to wear a small clip-on microphone during class and the student to wear headphones.

Priority Registration

This accommodation enables students with disabilities to register early each academic semester. The purpose of priority registration is to allow students with disabilities the ability to schedule classes in a manner which allows their schedule to conform to the needs associated with their disability.

Print Material in Alternative Formats

If texts or handouts in alternate formats are needed, it is imperative to connect with Disability Services as early as possible each semester. Two common formats requested are electronic text and audio file.

In order to receive alternative formats:

You need to touch base with your professor to get a copy of the semester syllabus for the course, and determine which texts and handouts will be used during the course. The student is responsible for providing Disability Services with the texts and handouts which need to be made into alternate format. Requests for alternate formats should be given to Disability Services at least a month in advance of when the material is needed.

Please note: Lesley University has a membership with the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). It generally takes several weeks for RFB&D to get books to students, so please notify us as soon as possible regarding these requests.

Testing Accommodations

If it is determined that you qualify for testing accommodations, the staff at the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA) will provide you with a Testing Accommodation Form. This will be filled out by CAA staff and needs to be signed by you and your professor. Off campus students who need testing accommodations will need to discuss the precise location of the exam with the professor. Cambridge based students will work out testing locations with Disability Services.

Testing accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

• CCTV/Large Print/Braille
• Extended time
• Interpreters
• Private/semi-private testing location
• Scribe
• Reader
• Use of computer
• Spell-check/Dictionary

Audio-taping of Class Lectures

Disability Services, where appropriate, may approve audio-taping of class lectures as an accommodation. This accommodation is subject to the following conditions:

• Audiotapes of class lectures are only for your personal use in study and preparation related to the class
• You may not share these audiotapes with any other person, whether or not the person is in your class
• You acknowledge that the audiotapes are sources, the use of which in any academic work is governed by the rules and standards of the University
• You agree to destroy any audiotapes that were made when they are no longer needed for your academic work

Students who have been granted permission to audiotape class lectures as an accommodation must agree in writing to abide by these provisions.

Note-taking Services

Note-taking services will be arranged through CAA/Disability Services. A handout to be distributed in the first day of class to recruit note-takers for the semester.

Classroom Relocation

Students with disabilities will be provided with classroom relocation as an accommodation if necessary. Due to the age and architectural design of the buildings on the Lesley University campus, some of the buildings or portions of them are not accessible to students with mobility impairments. To ensure that classes and laboratories on campus are accessible, Disability Services works with the Registrar's Office to move classes to accessible locations when a student needs that accommodation. In addition, classroom relocation may be provided as an accommodation to facilitate transportation scheduling between classes.

Students who need accessible classrooms are encouraged to review upcoming schedule of classes with Disability Services to ensure that the identified rooms are accessible, and if not - then to request that classes be relocated.

Elevator Access

Elevators are available in some residence halls and classroom buildings on campus. Students with disabilities or medical issues requiring the use of an elevator should make that request through Disability Services. Elevator access will be provided as an accommodation when appropriate based on documentation provided.

Parking

There is limited parking available at the main campus in Cambridge or at the Art Institute in Boston. Information about student parking permits is available through the Security Office. For students with appropriate plates or hang-tags, several designated spaces exist on and near campus. For off campus students, HP parking should be available for students with appropriate plates. Please call you site coordinator or Disability Services if you are having difficulty finding parking.

Housing

Lesley University recognizes that some students have special housing needs related to medical and/or psychological conditions. The University has set up a procedure to ensure that all requests are appropriately considered.

Requests for housing accommodations are handled by the Lesley University Housing Review Committee. Committee members include representatives from Disability Services, Residence Life, the Counseling Center, and Health Services. The representative committee meets at least once each semester to evaluate applications and determine the necessity of the accommodations being requested.

Steps for requesting a housing accommodation:

1. Students should begin by contacting Disability Services to complete a Request for Housing Accommodation [pdf] form.
2. If appropriate and current documentation is not on file in Disability Services, then students may be asked to submit a Housing Accommodation Documentation [pdf] form which must be completed by an appropriate allied health professional. This person must be currently treating the student for the condition for which the accommodation is requested.
3. These forms must be returned to Disability Services by the appropriate deadline. Adherence to the given deadline is imperative, as housing decisions must be made well in advance of the start of the next semester.
4. The committee will notify students of its decision in writing before room lottery. This decision will be based on the medical necessity of the accommodation. If an accommodation is not granted, students may appeal the decision to the Dean of Students. Students may also reapply for the following semester.

Please note: Housing accommodations provided one year does not guarantee like housing for each year. Students who wish to request housing accommodations should do so with Disability Services each year.