Disability Services FAQ for Faculty

This FAQ provides faculty with essential guidance on supporting students registered with the Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS). Here, you’ll find answers to common questions about accommodations, CUNY Accommodate, and best practices for fostering an accessible environment.

What is the student procedure for registering with CSDS and receiving accommodations?

CUNY Accommodate is the management system students will use to submit an initial request to register with the Center.  Students can upload documentation of their disability and schedule appointments when needed.

Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  Through a functional assessment, CSDS staff reviews the documentation and if needed meets individually with the student to determine the most appropriate accommodations based on the documentation provided.

 

 

 

What is CUNY Accommodate and where can I find information about it?

CUNY Accommodate is the university’s student disability management system. This innovative platform is designed to streamline the management of student accommodations and promote an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

To login, visit the CUNY Accommodate Portal and select the Faculty option.

Please note to access the resources the webpage will require you to login in with your CUNY login username and password.

 

How do I know if a student is registered with the CSDS?

If a student self-identifies to the center about having a disability and requires accommodations, you will receive a notice asking you to log in to CUNY Accommodate and view the student’s accommodation letter which the student also receives.

What if I don’t understand a student’s accommodations granted by the CSDS?

Professors are encouraged to bring all questions to the CSDS staff should they have any concerns regarding the appropriateness of reasonable accommodations.

 

How do I have a conversation with a student in class I suspect has a disability?

Speak about the specific challenges in class and all the resources available to assist the student, which may already be listed on your syllabus, including a statement regarding disability services offered through CSDS.

 

What is the procedure for exam accommodations?

  1. Login to CUNY Accommodate when prompted by an email notifying you that a student in your class has scheduled to take an exam in the Center through the CUNY Accommodate system.
  2. Please ensure the date and time of the exam is the scheduled day and time of your exam or an agreed upon time between you, the student and the Center.
  3. Follow the instructions to upload a copy of the exam into CUNY Accommodate.
  4. On the scheduled exam date, the student will come to the CSDS office in 138 Roosevelt Hall to take the exam.
  5. Please verify if you will be picking up the exam or a designee from your department. Completed exams can also be returned through interoffice mail. Unfortunately, we are unable to scan completed exams and upload them via email or use the feature through the CUNY Accommodate System.

 

What steps does CSDS take to ensure academic integrity is preserved during exams?

All students who take an exam in the CSDS office are required to put their personal belongings in a separate room. No electronic devices or material not specifically permitted for use on the exam (either by the professor or as part of a student’s accommodations) is allowed in the testing room. If a student requires use of a computer for an exam, they are logged in with separate credentials through the CSDS office and monitored.

Additional Resources

Additional resources for faculty and staff can be found on SharePoint (log in required).

Faculty User Guide (Log In Required)

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