How are professors informed of my need for accommodations? Will they know my diagnosis?
A student granted accommodations by SDS will be issued an Academic Adjustment Notice (AAN), an Attendance and Disability Memo (ADM), or both to distribute to professors at the student's discretion. However, neither an AAN nor an ADM will ever disclose the student's specific disability.
How should I approach my professors about my need for accommodations?
Students may begin this conversation by presenting an Academic Adjustment Notice (AAN) or an Attendance and Disability Memo (ADM) to their professors in person or by email. Students are always encouraged to follow up by scheduling time with their professors to discuss their needs in an individual class, as not all accommodations may apply to all classes. As student accommodation relies heavily upon student advocacy and self-determination at the university level, students may also wish to clarify their professors' expectations as they relate to the responsibilities of each party in ensuring that accommodations are provided in those professors' classes. Some teachers may require students to remind them of their accommodation needs before major tests or essays or require students to specifically ask for notes or class materials before providing them. It is the student's responsibility to pursue such clarification.
Who has access to my records? What is your confidentiality policy?
Access to documentation of students' disabilities and accommodations and any related information about individual students is limited to members of the SDS staff. Any documentation received by SDS is treated as confidential and never becomes part of a permanent student record. This information is shared within the university on a need-to-know basis only and with the sole intent of providing students with related services.
How long will you keep my records?
SDS destroys student records five years after the student's exit from the university.
Will my transcript indicate that I have received accommodations in my classes?
Under no circumstances will a student's transcript indicate that the student received academic accommodations. Any documentation received by SDS is treated as confidential and never becomes part of a permanent student record. This information is shared within the university on a need-to-know basis only and with the sole intent of providing students with related services.
Am I eligible for a course substitution?
In rare cases, students may be eligible for a course substitution. Such a substitution will only be permitted where it reduces or otherwise modifies the rigor or content of the student's chosen academic program. The SDS staff is available to discuss with each student specific concerns about the challenges presented by a course that are related to the functional limitations caused by the student's disability. It is important to note, however, that the authority to approve course substitutions ultimately rests not with SDS but with the academic dean associated with the student's academic program.
Are students studying abroad, including those at Parsons Paris, eligible to receive assistance from SDS?
Students studying abroad at Parsons Paris or in one of Eugene Lang College's short-term academic programs should request assistance from SDS in the same way as students entering any other program of study offered by The New School. SDS is also available to assist students in securing appropriate accommodations through the universities and institutes that host the dozens of pre-approved programs that offer students of The New School study abroad opportunities.
What happens if I take a formal or informal leave of absence? Do I need to bring new documentation?
In most cases, readmitted students and students returning from a formal leave of absence will not need to resubmit documentation related to their disability to the university. It is always, however, a good idea for students to meet with the SDS office before classes begin to ascertain that everything is in place to ensure a smooth return to academic study.
How can I get books or other assigned material in an alternative format?
Students who require books or other assigned materials in an alternative format should contact the SDS office as early as possible in order to ensure that all such materials will be available in a timely way. All students who receive services through the SDS office receive priority registration and are encouraged to email SDS with their request for alternative format texts at that time.
How can I schedule a test in an alternative testing environment or a test for which I am eligible to receive extra time?
Students who are entitled to an alternative testing environment or additional testing time should schedule testing time with the SDS office directly at least two weeks before the date on which the test is regularly scheduled. The best way to schedule testing is to contact the SDS office by email at studentdisability@newschool.edu.
I need an ASL interpreter. How can I request interpreting services?
ASL interpretation and transcription services are available to students who submit their schedules and a request for interpretation or transcription to the SDS office at studentdisability@newschool.edu at least two weeks before the commencement of the semester for which services are requested. All Hands in Motion (AHIM), The New School's preferred provider of sign language interpretation and transcription, uses a service called TypeWell, which offers meaning-for-meaning transcription, in contrast to CART, which provides verbatim translation. Please note that students are also responsible for informing SDS of any additional events associated with the relevant course for which they may require services, including meetings with professors or advisors, conferences, field trips, or off-site lectures.
Students may also request interpretation services through AHIM for any of the programmatic services offered by The New School by requesting these services in the manner described above at least two weeks before the service, event, or activity or on the date on which the student is made aware of the service, event, or activity. Unfortunately, The New School is unable to guarantee the availability of services to students who do not meet the deadline requirements prescribed herein.
Can SDS assist me in securing accommodations for graduate school, graduate school admission, and licensure testing?
Yes. The steps required for securing reasonable accommodations related to a documented disability are similar at the undergraduate and the graduate levels and are posted on the SDS website. Graduate school and licensing bodies also publish the requirements for securing such services by students sitting for applicable admission and licensure tests online. Students who require guidance during this process may contact the SDS office by email with an enquiry or to schedule a more detailed conversation.
How can I obtain a copy of my disability documentation from my file at SDS?
The best way to obtain a copy of student disability documentation is to contact the SDS office by email at studentdisability@newschool.edu.