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
Program
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.
- 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".
- The Student Life administrator may be contacted regarding
specific documentation required or for explanation of this
policy.
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 handicapped-parking 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.
Emergency Response Procedures
In the event of an emergency, all students, including those with
disabilities should follow the directions given by Public Safety
regarding exiting buildings and gathering at a central
location.
Students with physical disabilities (that have self-identified)
will be assigned to classrooms no higher than the second floor of
any academic building.
Students with physical disabilities should proceed out of the
classroom and into the hallway to the closest exit that is not
affected by the emergency. Students on a second floor will
need to wait for assistance in getting down the staircase as the
elevators are not an option in the event of certain emergencies.
Tell others who are evacuating the building to inform Public Safety
of your location and your need for assistance. Be sure to program
Public Safety’s phone number into your cell phone so it is readily
available in the event of an emergency.
Queens Public
Safety: 718-990-6281
Staten Island Public Safety: 718-390-4487
Manhattan Public
Safety: 212-277-5155
Please make yourself aware of the exits in your buildings and
let either the Dean of Students (Staten Island) or the Associate
Dean for Student Services (Queens & Manhattan) know if you have
any questions or concerns regarding how you will evacuate a
building during an emergency.
All documentation will be kept confidential in accordance with
legal requirements and should be submitted directly to:
More Information
Queens and Manhattan Campus
Jackie Lochrie
Associate Dean for Student Services
Bent Hall Garden Lvl-Judiciary Suite-17C
Jamaica , NY 11439
(718) 990-6568
lochriej@stjohns.edu
Staten Island Campus
Kimberly Palmieri
Director Student Development
Campus Center B11
Staten Island , NY 10301
(718) 390-4345
palmierk@stjohns.edu
For further information please use this link for the
New York State Department of Education's
Guidelines