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Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Policy

Offices
Learning Access Center
VP Student Services

LEARNING/ACCESS CENTER

The mission of the Learning/Access Center (formerly Disability Resource Center) is to facilitate full access so that all students can freely and actively participate in all facets of Pratt life. The L/AC collaborates to provide Institute-wide advisement and consultation on disability-related matters (including legal compliance and universal design) and provides individual services and tools to facilitate diverse learning styles and accommodations in a sustainable inclusive manner.

To that end, the L/AC coordinates access for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities can enroll with the L/AC to determine and receive reasonable accommodations for classroom, housing, and other campus settings. The L/AC maintains confidential records of documentation of disability for all current and prospective Pratt students who identify as having disabilities, including learning disorders, ADHD, psychological/psychiatric conditions, chronic illnesses, physical/mobility conditions, blindness, low vision and hearing loss, and temporary disabilities.

After meeting with the student and conducting a review of the documentation and individualized student needs, the L/AC determines and coordinates individualized academic accommodations, including but not limited to extended test time, distraction-reduced exam setting, sign language interpreting, etc. The L/AC also arranges auxiliary aids for students, such as FM Units, assistive learning software, and books in alternative formats. The L/AC assists students in connecting with helpful Institute resources, advocates for students, and collaborates with campus department administrators regarding specific student needs, including psychological support, special housing, and dietary needs.

ENROLLING WITH THE LEARNING/ACCESS CENTER

Students who identify as having any type of disability are entitled and encouraged to enroll with the Learning/Access Center in order to determine and implement reasonable accommodations.

Once a student has decided to enroll with the L/AC, the first step is to contact us to schedule an introduction appointment with an L/AC advisor to discuss next steps for enrollment, as well as documentation requirements. You can contact us at LAC@pratt.edu or 718.802.3123 to schedule this appointment.

Then, during the enrollment appointment, you will meet with an L/AC advisor, who will answer your questions and who will work with you to identify barriers and set up accommodations, including notifying your professors (with your permission). For Housing and Dining accommodations, there are additional procedures that will be discussed as needed.

Once accommodations have been determined, the student can give permission for the L/AC to notify professors and relevant offices. After obtaining the student’s permission, the L/AC will email the Faculty Notification Letter (FNL), which outlines the student’s approved accommodations, to the student’s faculty, academic advisor, and department chair. The L/AC will then work with students and faculty as needed to implement the approved accommodations.

If you are at all unsure about next steps for enrolling with the L/AC, please contact us at LAC@pratt.edu or 718.802.3123. You can also find more information about our services on our area of the Pratt website. We look forward to working with you!


Pratt Institute
Learning/Access Center
200 Willoughby Avenue
ISC Building, Room 104
Brooklyn, NY 11205

Tel:  718.802.3123
Fax: 718.687.5317
Email: LAC@pratt.edu
www.pratt.edu/lac