Accessibility Services

The mission of the Office of Accessibility Services at John Jay College is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all college programs, services and activities. It is our objective to see that students with disabilities provided with an impactful learning experience. The Office of Accessibility Services challenges every individual to be independent, responsible, problem-solvers and self-advocates in charge of their own lives.

Please Note:  You do not have to reregister again with the Office of Accessibility; however, you must complete your semester request EACH semester in Symplicity Acommodate.

Semester Requests: This is done EVERY SEMESTER to activate your accommodations each semester.  Students wishing to use their academic accommodations are expected to submit a semester request via Simplicity Accommodate software. The semester request generates your Letter/Card of Accommodation for the current semester. Students need to submit a semester request every semester if he/she/they plan on using their accommodations. 

Click here to activate your Semester Request.

Semester Request Guide

Please click here for Semester Request Video Guide

Exam Requests: Please click on link below and follow steps:

For any quizzes/exams you wish to take and receive extended time accommodations, an examination request form would need to be completed. Please submit your exam request at least (7) days before the exam date.  Click on link below to process an exam request:

Click here  for the Examination Request Form

Please click here for Examination Request Video Guide

Examination Request Form Guide

If you have an online course, complete the semester request but you are NOT required to come in unless there is an extenuating circumstance that warrants this. Please reach out to your professor and the OAS office so we can collaborate to support you.  Otherwise, you can work directly with your professor.

Please click here for the comprehensive Student Guide for Symplicity

Please click here for Student Login Video Guide for Symplicity

Please click here for the Symplicity- Accommodate Examination Requests and Exam Delivery Faculty Guide 2024-2025

Please click here for the FAQ for Faculty

Please click here for a guide on how to retrieve a list of accommodated students registered in your courses

Instructions on How to Provide Extra Time Accommodation on Brightspace

For online exams located on Brightspace, faculty members will need to go to their "Classlist" for the course the student is enrolled in on Brightspace. Click on the arrow beside the student's name, select "Edit Accommodations", and modify the time limit so that is says "2 times" or "1.5 times", according to the student's accommodation, under "Multiplier of original quiz time". This will automatically apply to all quizzes/exams given to the student for that course on Brightspace.

Please click here for Religious Accommodations

Please click here for Religious ethnic Holiday Calendar (2024)  

Please click here for the CUNY Accommodation Policy 

Please click here for Faculty Video Guide on Retrieving Completed Exam

Please click here for Faculty Login Video Guide

Pleas click here for Protocol for Managing Seizures in the Classroom

There are four key steps:

• Obtain medical documentation that meets the guidelines.

• Complete and submit the application. Please upload john jay id and medical document during application process if you do not have your John Jay ID, in the interim please submit your city/state/federal ID)

• Upload medical documentation and photo ID via the Public Accommodation link below:

  https://jjay-cuny-accommodate.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/ (see Step 02)

• Make an appointment to meet with your specialist. Note: A hard copy of the medical provider form is available in our office L.66 during normal business hours or you can download the medical provider form.by clicking on the link below:

Click here (Medical Provider Form)

Step 1 - Obtain Medical Documentation

Obtain medical documentation that meets the guidelines from a licensed professional. 

Documentation Requirements 

• Actual scores from tests that are statistically reliable and valid and standardized for use with an adult population.
• A narrative of your performance on the evaluation.
• Evaluator’s name, title, professional credentials, and dates of the testing.
• A clear diagnostic statement (can include DSM5 Axes) with a description of the duration and severity of the condition and the current impact of (or limitation imposed by) the disability within the college setting.
• A statement regarding treatments or services used to minimize the impact of a disabling condition.
• List of currently prescribed medications, if the side effects of such medications create barriers to learning.
• Recommendations for academic adjustments that are validated by current documentation.
• This report should be typed on letterhead that includes the professional’s name, professional credentials, contact information (address and telephone number), and dates of evaluation.

If you don’t have the above, please complete a Medical Provider Form-(have a medical provider complete this form only if you currently DO NOT have documentation). A hard copy is available in our office in suite L66 New Building or we can email the form upon request.

NOTE: A handwritten note or “prescription” cannot be accepted as documentation.

Step 2 - Complete and Submit Your Application

• Click here for the Public Accommodation application.

Step 3 - Upload your Medical Documentation and photo ID

• Upload your medical documentation and photo within the application

• Within two business days of receiving your application, medical documentation and  photo ID, we will email you further instructions and/or a request for additional documentation, or a link to arrange for an /intake meeting.

Step 4 - Meet With Your Accessibility Services Specialist

• Please come to your appointment prepared to discuss the nature of your disability, the impact your disability has on your learning, and the accommodations needed to help support your academic goals.

• During this meeting, your specialist will review your documentation with you to determine your accommodations and review how to make requests for specific accommodations.  If you receive academic accommodations, your specialist will give you an accommodation card/letter to share with your instructors.

You are encouraged to meet with instructors to discuss the implementation of your accommodations.   

Office of Accessibility Services (OAS)
524 West 59th Street, L.66
New York City, NY 10019
Tel: 212.237.8031

John Jay is committed to fostering equity for all students. This is consistent with our mission and required by a variety of state and federal laws, including Title II of Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which provides otherwise qualified students with a right of reasonable accommodation.

All faculty and staff play a key role in ensuring that the College meets its legal and policy obligations pertaining to students with disabilities.

Regardless of learning modality, it is imperative that students receive their required accommodations. The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) is available to address the needs of students with disabilities, ensure equal access to higher education and provide reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids for such students.

There are several new guidelines that require your immediate attention: 

1. In accordance with state law and existing CUNY policy, textbook and course materials information must be entered in Vitalsource or CUNYfirst at least two weeks prior to the date the schedule of classes is made available. Textbook information for fall 2023 not previously entered must be entered immediately. Courses which do not require a textbook must also be identified as such. This information is necessary to ensure that course materials are accessible to students with disabilities by the first day of class to the greatest extent possible. Department chairs are responsible for ensuring textbook information is posted for all departmental courses.

2. We strongly recommend that instructors upload their course materials in the University-supported LMS (Brightspace) for each class regardless of modality. This action will help instructors identify accessibility problems using Brightspace's built-in accessibility checker and color contrast checker to assist instructors on improving the accessibility of course materials.
   
    
3. In accordance with the ADA, NYS IT Accessibility Policy, and other laws, instructors should consider the accessibility of course materials, online learning products, platforms, and applications, including content they created, prior to use in the course. 

4. Students remain responsible for self-identifying their disability status to the OAS. Please encourage students who require an accommodation to contact and register with OAS as soon as possible. You can share this reminder at the beginning of the semester. It is also strongly suggested that you insert a reminder on your syllabus (sample language is provided in guideline 7 below).

5. Once OAS notifies an instructor of approved accommodations, the instructor is responsible for providing them as specified or seeking clarification from OAS regarding the appropriateness of an accommodation for a specific course. Instructors must follow the appropriate procedures with OAS. Instructors should direct all such questions to OAS, not the student.

6. You may find additional information on John Jay’s accessibility website: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/accessibility.

7. Lastly, please read the guidelines below. They contain important information regarding accommodating students with disabilities.

For any questions related to providing services, accommodations, technical or other supports related to students with disabilities, please contact Dr. Elena Beharry, OAS Director, at ebeharry@jjay.cuny.edu or contact Office of Accessibility Services
at accessibilityservices@jjay.cuny.edu or 212-237-8031.

For questions related to providing faculty support or inclusive online and hybrid learning, please contact Gina Rae Foster, Director, John Jay Teaching and Learning Center at gifoster@jjay.cuny.edu or contact tlc@jjay.cuny.edu.

For general questions concerning CUNY’s Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy and harassment related to students with disabilities, please contact Gabriela Leal, Chief Diversity Officer and Director, Office of Compliance & Diversity, at gleal@jjay.cuny.edu or 646-557-4674.                                                                       

Important Guidelines for Ensuring Equitable Treatment of Students with Disabilities at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

August 17, 2023

1. Online Learning. Please be aware that some students with disabilities may experience unique challenges accessing and using web-based technology or otherwise adapting to online learning and may require an accommodation, such as assistive technology, or a different kind of support. Please encourage students who have these concerns to contact OAS as soon as possible.

2. Accommodation requests. All student requests for accommodations or academic adjustments (“accommodations”) that fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must be vetted first by the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS). Such accommodations may impact classroom or exam protocols or other curricular or extracurricular activities. If the student directly requests an accommodation with an instructor or staff that has not been approved by OAS (or the instructor or staff has not received a copy of an Accommodation Card listing the particular accommodation), the student should be directed to OAS to initiate the process. Faculty and staff are prohibited from denying accommodation requests on their own or from discouraging students from seeking an accommodation with OAS. Once OAS has approved a student’s accommodation request, faculty and staff must cooperate and assist in ensuring that the accommodation is delivered.

3. Notification of accommodation. One of the Office of Accessibility Service’s (OAS) departmental goals has been to streamline the accommodation request process and reduce the amount of follow-up required of students and faculty. We are pleased to share that the Accommodation Card will be provided in lieu of the Accommodation Letter, thereby increasing efficiency. The Accommodation Card enables OAS to manage accommodation requests in a timely and efficient manner. Below is an example of the Accommodation Card.

4. Raising concerns around an accommodation. The objective of providing accommodations for students with disabilities is to ensure their equal participation and not to dilute or fundamentally alter academic or extracurricular requirements. If a particular accommodation would cause an undue hardship to the College or would fundamentally alter the nature of the activity for which the accommodation has been requested, the College may seek a different alternative. If you believe an approved accommodation is not suited to a particular situation, or if you have any questions about delivering an approved accommodation, please contact Dr. Elena Beharry at ebeharry@jjay.cuny.edu. Alternatives to approved accommodations must be assessed in advance by OAS.  

5. Administration of exams in the OAS Testing Center. There are several points and clarifications regarding testing for OAS-registered students:

• Students who request testing accommodations must do so with OAS at least seven calendar days before a scheduled exam. If a student fails to do so but has previously received an OAS-issued Accommodation Card that includes the testing accommodation, then the instructor and the OAS should work together to determine how the testing accommodation will be provided.

• All testing accommodations for in-person exams must take place in the OAS Testing Center unless OAS approves a different arrangement in advance. Instructors should not provide a testing accommodation on their own in lieu of an approved testing accommodation. 

• Once OAS notifies the instructor that a student in the instructor’s class will take an upcoming exam in the OAS Testing Center, it is the instructor’s responsibility to ensure that OAS receives the exam to be administered at least 48 hours before the beginning of the exam. Please contact the Office of Accessibility Services, at accessibilityservices@jjay.cuny.edu to arrange drop-off or electronic transmission of the exam to OAS.

• OAS will attempt to accommodate instructors’ preferences for when an exam in the OAS Testing Center should be administered; however, the precise timing of the exam will also depend on the student’s schedule and the operating hours of the OAS Testing Center. This means that some exams, as determined by OAS, may occur before, during, or after the time when other students in the class take a particular exam. OAS will notify instructors when their students’ exams have been scheduled to take place in the OAS Testing Center. Instructors who have concerns about asynchronous administration of exams should contact the OAS or the Academic Integrity Unit for strategies on how to maintain or foster academic integrity while upholding the requirement to accommodate students with disabilities.

• OAS normally arranges the return of exams administered in the OAS Testing Center to instructors by the following day that the College is open. Instructors should coordinate with OAS about when and how exams are returned to them. In some cases, particularly when instructors are not available to retrieve exams in person within 72 hours, OAS may be required to scan and deliver exams to instructors electronically. Under no circumstance should students be penalized for any delays in returning exams to the instructor. 

6. Pregnant or parenting students. John Jay College does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions or parental status. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student’s doctor. Students must be given the opportunity to make up work missed due to pregnancy or childbirth. In addition, failing to accommodate pregnant or parenting students may violate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. If you have questions related to Title IX, please contact Gabriela Leal, Title IX Coordinator and Director, Office of Compliance & Diversity, at gleal@jjay.cuny.edu.

7. Course syllabus guidelines. If possible, instructors are strongly encouraged to include the following statement in their course syllabus:

“Students who believe that they may need an accommodation due to a disability are encouraged to immediately contact the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) in the New Building, room L.66 (212-237-8031), or accessibilityservices@jjay.cuny.edu. Students are welcome but not required to speak with the instructor privately to discuss specific needs for the class. Students with disabilities are entitled to confidentiality over disability-related status or details. Students are not required to disclose their specific disability to their instructors or anyone else.”

8. Maintaining confidentiality. As indicated in the syllabus statement above, students with disabilities are entitled to confidentiality over disability-related status or details. Students are not required to disclose their specific disability to their instructors or anyone else. (Instructors are entitled to know when their students have registered with OAS and what accommodations they have been approved to receive.) Instructors and staff must take care not to seek the disability-related status or information from students or to disclose a student’s disability status to others in or outside the classroom.   

9. Additional Resources. CUNY has a list of built-in accessibility features found on Brightspace listed on their website, located at https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/faq/. John Jay has their own user guides and tutorials for both Instructors and Students located at Learning Management User Guides & Tutorials | John Jay College of Criminal Justice (cuny.edu). 

For any questions regarding accommodations, please contact Dr. Elena Beharry, OAS Director, at ebeharry@jjay.cuny.edu  or contact:

Office of Accessibility Services
Suite L66 in the New Building
524 West 59th Street
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212.237.8031
accessibilityservices@jjay.cuny.edu

If you're eligible for testing accommodations during a test or a quiz, such as extended time, use of assistive technology, or a distraction-free room, you should notify your professors at the beginning of the semester. OAS provides you with an accommodation card/letter, which details the services to which you're entitled. You must follow the test accommodations policy outlined below, and take the following steps to receive this service:

• Provide required documentation, which states the need for testing accommodations, to OAS in a timely manner. Documentation is then evaluated and appropriate accommodations are granted (such as extended time; use of a reader, scribe, or assistive technology; an alternative testing format; and/or a distraction-free testing environment.)
• You must notify your professors and request alternative testing from them at the beginning of the semester. Your accommodation card/letter will state that you are entitled to receive this service.
• If the examination is to be proctored by OAS, your must complete an Exam Request Form at least one week (7 days) prior to their exam.  Late submission of the exam request may result in lost accommodations for that particular exam. If the examination is being proctored by the OAS team, you must log into Symplicity-Accommodate and submit your examination booking at least one week before the exam date.

Please click here for Assistive Technology Resources.

Please click here for CUNY Assistive Technology Services

If you have any questions or concerns, please email  Coordinator of Assistive Technology Jonathan Zou at jzou@jjay.cuny.edu.

Dr. Elena Beharry
Director of Accessibility Services,
ebeharry@jjay.cuny.edu
Tel.:212-237-8148

Gizele Terry
Assistant Director of Accessibility Services
gterry@jjay.cuny.edu
Tel:212-393-6405

Farrukh Ablakulov
Student LEADS Support Specialist
fablakulov@jjay.cuny.edu
Tel: 646-781-5169

Nicole Azran
Student Programming Specialist
nazran@jjay.cuny.edu

Amarna Williams
Student Disability Services Specialist
amwilliams@jjay.cuny.edu
(212)393-6513

Esmerlin Andujar
OAS Coordinator
eandujar@jjay.cuny.edu
(212)237-8031

Jonathan Zou
Assistive Technology Coordinator
jzou@jjay.cuny.edu
(646)557-4401

Psycho eval referral list:

Click Here

ADA Requirements: Service Animals. Please Click here  

FAQ about service animals and ADA. Please Click here 

Flexible Attendance Agreement Form: Click here
Extra Time on Specific Assignment Agreement Form: Click here

What are your office hours? How do I contact the office?

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Phone: 212-237-8031 

Email Address:  Accessibilityservices@jjay.cuny.edu

We are here to help you!  Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Address & Location

John Jay College of Criminal Justice 

Office of Accessibility Services, L.66 (NB)

524 West 59th Street, New York City, NY 10019

What do I do if I need help with accommodations and exam requests or would like to speak to someone about a personal matter?

You can email or call us. We are here to help address your concerns about any student registered with our office. 

Email: AccessibilityServices@jjay.cuny.edu

Phone: 212-237-8031

Interim Director: Dr. Elena Beharry

Assistant Director: Ms. Gizele Terry

LEADS Specialist: Mr. Farrukh Ablakulov

Assistive Technology Specialist: Mr. Jonathan Zou

Administrative Coordinator: Ms. Janet Lawery

What are reasonable accommodations?

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, activity or facility that enables qualified students with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to attain the same level of performance or enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to students without disabilities. An accommodation may be appropriate for one particular course but not for another.

Please note: Accommodations are not retroactive; requests for accommodations should be supported by appropriate documentation and should be submitted in a timely manner. Students may request a review of accommodations and/or provide updated documentation as necessary during the semester. A record of receiving accommodations is confidential and is not part of your CUNY transcript.

How to register with the Office of Accessibility Services?

Please go to our website and click on the Register for Incoming Students link and follow the steps

This is a guide that serves to help you through the journey of registering with John Jay’s Office of Accessibility Services. Please follow each step thoroughly. Until all steps are fully completed, you will not be registered for services. Completing all steps early will avoid delays. 

Note: 

1. Orientation provides you essential information and an overview of services offered.  The intake process reviews your documentation and determines which services you are entitled to and need to be completed before services are implemented.

How do I make an exam request?

Update coming soon.

What if I forget to make an exam request on time (you did not complete within the 7-day time frame)?

Please note that this is our policy and should be adhered to; however, we understand that “life happens”, and you may not be able to do this. You will be allowed to “break” the rule 3 times per semester. If you decide not to follow the policy, you will need to make an appointment with the Interim Director after the 3^rd time infraction and explain why you are not following the rules.

What are the common assistive technologies offered?

Students with disabilities use a variety of different types of assistive technologies to be successful and accomplish their academic goals. Here are some commonly used assistive technologies in the classroom.

(add link)

CUNY Assistive Technology Services

http://cats.cuny.edu

Will my medical information be shared with my professors? 

The Office of Accessibility (OAS) s a HIPAA-compliant office and does not disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) with any instructors. 

Can I receive accommodations based on pregnancy and/or childbirth?

Yes.  Title IX authorizes OAS to approve reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy or childbirth, based upon documented medical necessity. Contact our office for more information.  

Also if you need information on usage of lactation room, please click on the link below:

All-Gender Facilities and Lactation Room

https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/student-life/womens-center-gender-justice/all-gender-facilities-lactation-room

What if I need an additional accommodation?   

At any time during the school year students can request additional accommodations. Typically, this occurs when medical needs change or additional diagnoses have been made. If you would like to request additional accommodations please submit a supplemental accommodation request through the accommodate student portal.  You should be prepared to upload additional documentation to support your request. You may need to meet with your OAS specialist again to discuss the approval of your request. 

What is the goal of the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS)?

The goal of the Office of Accessibility Services at John Jay College is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all college programs, services, activities and are afforded the same opportunity to participate in the learning process. It is our objective to see that students with disabilities are provided with an impactful learning experience. John Jay College is committed to equal access to education.

Can I discuss my child's information on their behalf?

Federal regulations protect adult (18 years old or older) students’ confidentiality, even regarding disclosing confidential information to parents. As a parent / legal guardian please be aware that we cannot discuss student information with anyone other than the student. Please see link for additional information about FERPA:

https://new.jjay.cuny.edu/student-life/ferpa

If you need authorization to speak or receive information about the student please fill out a FERPA form and send it to the John Jay Express team.

https://new.jjay.cuny.edu/student-life/jay-express

Once it has been processed by the John Jay Express team, please let us know and forward the FERPA Authorization to: accessibilityservices@jjay.cuny.edu

The link below is to an electronic version of the FERPA form. Please complete the form and email to the departmental email, Jayexpress@jjay.cuny.edu

https://jstop.jjay.cuny.edu/forms/Academic_Financial_Information.pdf

Can parents request accommodations on behalf of their child?

No. All requests for accommodations must come directly from the student and supported by documentation from a health care provider. Parents may be present with the student’s consent during the initial appointment with Disability Services.

Do you provide training in Assistive Technology?

Yes. The Assistive Technology Specialist at our office provides group and one-on-one training by appointment to registered students. The Office of Accessibility Services offers a wide array of specialized software for our students, for example, JAWS and Zoom-Text. For more information, please click on the Assistive Technology link on our website.

Does the Office of Accessibility at John Jay College provide psychoeducational assessments?

No. Neither the Americans with Disabilities Act nor Section 504 require that institutions of higher learning provide evaluations or assessments of students with disabilities or suspected disabilities. However, we do provide referrals to qualified professionals and agencies.  Please click on Additional Resources link on our website or click link below:

Please click here 

How does the college make sure that the classrooms are physically accessible?

The Office of Accessibility always advocates on behalf of its registered students and collaborates with other entities on campus to ensure classroom accessibility based on student needs.

Can I visit Office of Accessibility on behalf of my child to discuss concerns or ask questions?

Yes, but the student must always be present during the meetings.

Can my child register early for classes offered at John Jay College?

Yes. Students registered with OAS receive priority registration dates based on the number of completed credits. Keep in mind, that for incoming students, priority registration is activated during the following semester after the initial current semester intake is completed.

Compliance 

John Jay College is in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which states, “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States... shall solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Disability defined: According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, "A physically disabled student is one who has a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment. Major life activities include such functions as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.”

Reasonable accommodations defined: The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires an institution of higher education to provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a documented disability, provided that accommodation does not create an undue hardship. An undue hardship refers to any accommodation that would be unduly costly, expensive, substantially disruptive, or that would fundamentally alter the nature of the program.

Academic Integrity 

Students taking exams in the Resource Lab in-suite L66, the New Building are not permitted to have backpacks, cell phones, or other personal items with them during exam time. All personal items must be placed in a locker. If a student receiving an exam accommodation is caught cheating, the faculty member will be notified.

CUNY Introduces New Accessibility Policy for Students with Disabilities

Please Click here for the New Accessibility Policy for Students with Disabilities