About Us
About the Office of 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, 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.
Meet Our Staff
Nadia Griffith-Allen
Director, Accessibility Services, and Children's Center Services
212-237-8031
ngriffith@jjay.cuny.edu
Gizele Terry
Assistant Director of Accessibility Services
212-237-8031
gterry@jjay.cuny.edu
Farrukh Ablakulov
Student LEADS Support Specialist
212-237-8031
fablakulov@jjay.cuny.edu
Our Location & Hours of Operation
New Building, L66.
524 West 59th Street
New York, NY 10019
accessibilityservices@jjay.cuny.edu
Fall and Spring Semester Hours of Operation
Monday 9:00 AM - 5:00 Pm
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM -5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Summer Semester Hours of Operation
Monday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Friday Closed
What is a Disability?
A person with a disability is anyone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, learning, hearing, speaking, or breathing. A person is also protected under the ADA if he or she has a record of a disability or is regarded as having a disability and is thus discriminated against. It is important to know that disabilities can be both visible and hidden. That is, many disabilities may not be obvious to an observer. These can include epilepsy, diabetes, and certain vision-based disabilities. People can also have multiple disabilities, such as an individual who is both legally blind and hard of hearing.
A person with a disability may have:
- A physical or psychological condition that substantially limits one of his/her major life activities (including walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working)
- A record of such impairment
Disabilities include but may not be limited to:
- Hearing Impairments
- Learning Disorders
- Medical Disabilities
- Mobility Impairments
- Psychological Disorders
- Temporary Disability Conditions
- Visual Impairments
Additional Resources
Linking Employment Academics and Disability Services (LEADS)
Linking Employment Academics and Disability Services (LEADS) is the component of the Office of Accessibility Services which monitors the vocational growth of students registered with the department. Students have the opportunity to benefit from comprehensive workshops, resume/cover letter development, mock interviews, internship opportunities in their prospective fields, part/full- time job placement, and referrals for appropriate interviewing attire.
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
CUNY offers many scholarships for students with disabilities. Click here to view a list.
- Counseling Services Center
- Math & Science Resources Center
- Writing Center
- SEEK Department
- ACCES-VR
Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) assists individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development.
For more info, call them at 1-800-222-JOBS (5627)
- Learning Ally
Learning Ally is an invaluable educational resource. It enables students with print disabilities to complete their education, advance their careers and gain self-esteem. Learning Ally provides print information in accessible formats.
For more info, call them at (212) 557 - 5720
custserv@LearningAlly.org
- New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB)
The mission of the New York State Commission for the Blind is to enhance employability, to maximize independence and to assist in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are legally blind.
For more info, call them at 1-866-871-3000
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 self, 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.