Disability Services

Mission

The mission of Disability Services, a part of the Office for the Vice President for Student Affairs, is to ensure that all students with disabilities can freely and actively participate in all facets of Pratt life. To this end the office provides and coordinates services and programs that support student development, enable students to maximize their educational and creative potential, and assist students to develop their independence to the fullest extent possible. Furthermore, the office’s goal is to increase the level of awareness among all members of the Pratt community so that students with disabilities are able to perform at a level limited only by their abilities, not their disabilities.

Services to Students
The Office of Disability Services provides the following services directly to students:
1. Maintains confidential records of medical documentation of disability.
2. Determines program eligibility for services based upon documentation of disability.
3. Responds to inquiries from prospective students and parents.
4. Consults with students about appropriate individualized accommodations based upon documentation of disability.
5. Coordinates special assistants for students such as note takers, interpreters and tutors and time management assistance.
6. Arranges auxiliary aides for students, such as spell checkers, tape recorders and Assistive Listening Devices such as FM Units.
7. Consults with faculty regarding the instructional needs of students.
8. Consults with campus department administrators regarding the specific needs of students, such as special housing accommodations.
9. Consults with Health and Counseling services regarding special medical needs of students.
10. Consults with community, local and regional services, such as rehabilitation agencies on behalf of students.
11. Serves as an advocate for students with faculty and staff.
12. Communicates Disability Services program information to the campus community.
13. Assists students in monitoring the effectiveness of accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Disability Services Office and what do they do? A: Disability Services is a department at Pratt Institute under Student Affairs that is dedicated to providing services to students with documented permanent or temporary disabilities. Our goal is to ensure equal access to all university programs. Our functions include but are not limited to providing classroom accommodations and services, such as notetakers, tutors, interpreters and assistive learning technology, advocating for students, and consulting with Institute faculty and staff on disability-related matters. Please click on "student services" for a full listing of services.

Q: What constitutes a disability? A: As defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a disability is a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or major life activities. If there exists a mental or physical condition, a history of such condition, or a condition which may be considered by others as substantially limiting, then you may have a legally defined disability.

Q: What does substantially limiting mean? A: According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, substantially limiting is defined as unable to perform a major life activity, or significantly restricted as to the condition, manner, or duration under which a major life activity can be performed, in comparison to the average person or to most people.

Q: What is a “major life activity”? A: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, defines a major life activity as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

Q: What should I know when applying to Pratt Institute and are there any special procedures? A: When applying to Pratt Institute, prospective students need to work with the Office of Admissions and follow the guidelines. There are no special admissions procedures. However, students can apply to Educational Testing Services for accommodation considerations when taking standardized tests, such as the SAT. Contact the Educational Testing Services for further information. ETS Disability Services PO BOX 6054 Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6054 Registration with Disability Services (DS) office is a separate procedure. Please contact the office for more information: Disability Services Office c/o Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs Pratt Institute Main Building, Lower Level 008 200 Willoughby Ave. Brooklyn, New York 11205 718-636-3711

Q: What should I do if I suspect that I have a disability and want to receive accommodations? A: If you suspect that you have a disability that is impacting your academic performance, you will need to provide appropriate documentation of that disability from a qualified professional to the Disabilities Services Office. The qualified professional must be licensed or certified to diagnose the disability in question. Documentation is required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in order to provide requested academic accommodations. An appointment for an intake should be scheduled with the DS office in order to go over the documentation and determine which accommodations are appropriate. Disability Services provides diagnostic testing. Please contact the office to arrange a meeting for further discussion.

Q: What is appropriate documentation? A: Acceptable documentation must reflect the following: • Specific diagnoses supported by documentation • Current (in most cases, within three to five years) documentation • Specific findings in support of all diagnoses including relevant history, tests administered, test scores (including subtest scores), and the those test results • A description of the student’s functional limitations and how the limitations are directly related to the stated disabilities • Specific recommendations for accommodations for curriculum, instruction and testing, including an explanation of why these specific accommodations are needed • Documentation must be on a letterhead, typed, dated, and signed with the evaluator’s name, address, telephone number (in the event that the office needs to contact them) and professional credentials relevant to the diagnosis.

Q: What kinds of accommodations are available? A: Academic accommodations include, but are not limited to, testing accommodations, adaptive technology services, and assistance in arranging other support services (e.g., interpreters, note-takers, scribes, and readers).

Q: I received accommodations in high school or I had an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Can I use the IEP as documentation? A: While the IEP is a valuable resource of information, it cannot be used as documentation of the disability.

Q: What role do my parents play in the process? A: Students who are 18 years old or older are legally recognized as adults. As such, each student is responsible for his or her own accommodation requests and disability-related decisions. Students are encouraged to have open communication with parents or other significant family members, however, the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) requires students to sign a DS Release of Information form to allow a discussion of your academic progress and grades with parents or other significant family members.

Q: I have a physical disability and have trouble getting around. What types of accommodations are geared toward my needs? A: Students with physical disabilities are encouraged to register with the DS office for support and advocacy with access to buildings and other Institute activities. Please contact the DS office for more information.

Q: I'm a Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) client. Is there anything special I should know? A: If you have a VESID counselor in your hometown, you are encouraged to have your home counselor contact VESID in New York so that services can be provided through the local office. Vesid website

Q: I'm a Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) client. Is there anything special I should know? A: If you have a RFB&D contact in your home town, you are encouraged to have them contact DS to provide information about your accessibility needs. Pratt Institute is an Institutional Member of the RFB&D. Please bring your class syllabi to the DS office to discuss ordering specific reading materials for you for the semester. RFBD website

Q: What assurances does the DS office provide? A: Civil and Equal Opportunity Rights: Students who are registered with the DS office may be assured that the coordinator will assist them to receive academic accommodations and access to buildings and all Institute activities. Please contact the DS office for more information.

Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure

Pratt Institute is committed to assuring the constitutional and statutory confidentiality protections and the rights of non-disclosure of students with disabilities. Documentation required verifying a disability is not shared with any person or entity without consultation with and written permission by the student unless prescribed by law.

Non-Discrimination and Advocacy: Pratt Institute promotes the elimination of discriminatory attitudinal barriers to students with disabilities and provides awareness and advocacy support in this mission. Texas A&M – Corpus Christi does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, or any other constitutionally or statutorily impermissible reason.

Individualized Services & Inclusion: Pratt Institute determines all services and support needs on an individual basis. The specific disability and the essential functions of classes and programs determine reasonable accommodations, adjustments, and auxiliary aids. The Institute community works as a team to promote inclusion of students with disabilities in all programs and activities of the Institute.

Student Self-Determination: Pratt recognizes that the development of self-determination skills and resources is critical to the academic, personal, and employment success of students with disabilities, and provides and promotes services and opportunities to support this need.

Contact:

Mai L. McDonald
Disability Services Coordinator
email: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
tel: 718-636-3711