In 1973, Congress passed Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
a law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of physical or
mental handicap. The law states that "No otherwise qualified
handicapped individual...shall, solely by reason of his handicap,
be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of,
or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity
receiving federal financial assistance."
The Office of Student Life-Disabled Student Services coordinates
equal opportunities for students with disabilities. These services
are designed to ensure, for all students, full participation in
programs and activities offered throughout the University. The aim
of these services is to improve the quality of the academic,
social, and personal lives of the disabled members of our
community.
Accommodations
Services for students with a documented disability are available
through the Department of Student Life. All documentation is kept
confidential and should be submitted directly to the Student Life
administrator. Students (not their parents) requesting
accommodations should identify their needs as early as possible.
All information regarding the student’s accommodations is provided
to the student. Types of accommodations provided are, but not
limited to:
- Extended test time (time plus one-half, unless otherwise
documented)
- Sign language interpretation
- Readers for exams
- Scribes for exams
- Assistance with course or program accessibility
- Note taking assistance (NCR paper available upon request)
- Photocopy enlargement of materials
- Tutoring is available through the Office of Special
Programs
Guidelines Determining Eligibility for
Services
- St. John's University students requesting accommodations for a
disability must present documentation of the disability to the
Student Life administrator for verification of eligibility.
- The evaluation must have been completed by a qualified,
certified and/or licensed professional (physician, health care
provider, psychologist/psychiatrist) who has experience with an
adolescent and adult population. The professional's credentials
must appear on the documentation, and the documentation must be
dated within three years of the request for accommodation.
Documentation that meets these criteria will only be required one
time throughout a degree. Updated documentation will be
required if the student, upon graduating from one degree program,
enrolls into another degree program and the date on the
documentation on file exceeds three years.
- The evaluator must include, in the test report, evidence that
instruments selected are reliable and valid for use with an
adolescent or adult. Documentation of impairment alone may not be
sufficient to require that the student be provided a reasonable
accommodation. It must be demonstrated that the impairment rises to
the level of a disability according to the Americans with
Disabilities Act. For example, the impairment must substantially
limit or restrict a major life activity as compared to the average
person in the general population.
- The Student Life administrator will review the documentation
and the request for the accommodation will be determined.
When necessary, specific academic units will be consulted regarding
the accommodation requested. If the presented documentation is
sufficient the student will meet with the Student Life
administrator regarding the appropriate accommodations at St.
John's University.
- A student having dissatisfaction with the decision for
accommodation granted has the right to appeal the decision in
accordance with the University's "Policy Against Discrimination and
Sexual Harassment and Related Grievance Procedures".
Handicapped Permits
Handicapped parking spaces are limited and,
pursuant to law, only individuals with appropriately issued
handicapped permits can park in these locations. Any member of the
University community with a disability requesting permission to
park in a handicapped parking areas, must apply to the appropriate
municipal authority to secure a New York State handicappedparking
permit. A parking zone identified with a sign bearing the
international disability symbol is restricted at all times for use
by vehicles bearing BOTH a valid SJU parking permit and New York
State issued handicapped parking permit.
Temporary Handicapped Permits
St. John’s University strongly supports the provision of disability
parking spaces at a reasonable proximity to campus buildings for
people with a temporary disability. SJU members can obtain a
temporary handicapped parking permit from Office of Public Safety.
These disabled parking privileges will be granted only after
submission of medical documents or doctor’s note which indicates
that the applicant has established physical limitations. In
addition, a valid photo ID is required when visiting the office.
The Office of Public Safety will NOT accept any substitute forms or
letters.
More Information
Queens Campus
Jackie Lochrie, Director of Student Services
University Center
(718) 990-6568
lochriej@stjohns.edu
Staten Island Campus
Kimberly J. Palmieri, Assistant Director of Student
Life
Campus Center, Room B11
(718) 390-4345
palmierk@stjohns.edu
Manhattan Campus
Anilsa Nunez, Director of Student Life
4th Floor
(212) 277-5170
nuneza@stjohns.edu