Accessibility Resources & Services
All students deserve equal and equitable access to services, studies, programs, and activities at Empire State University. As a leader in online education, we pride ourselves on being able to help students from all walks of life continue their education.
So no matter where you are coming from or what accessibility services you may need, we are here to support you. Find all the resources you need to navigate accommodations and get support throughout your academic journey.
Requesting Accommodations
1
Describe and Disclose Your Disability
Accommodations are not provided until you officially disclose your disability by submitting the Disability Declaration and Request for Accommodations. So in order to receive accommodations, you’ll need to describe your disability and understand what accommodations you will need to succeed as a student.
Ask yourself how your disability affects you and how you might be struggling in your
studies. The answers to these questions can help you identify the accommodations you’ll
need.
2
Complete the Form
Complete the Disability Declaration and Request for Accommodations form.
The form is available in both Word and PDF format.
- Disability Declaration and Request for Accommodations Form (file 83kB)
- Disability Declaration and Request for Accommodations Form (PDF 180kB)
3
Submit the Form
Submit your completed form directly to our office. We will review it and set up a meeting with you to discuss the request in more detail.
Resources for Students With Disabilities
Get fully accessible course materials, content, websites, and more — all in compliance
with local, state, and federal policies.
Explore guidance disclosing a disability, navigating administrative processes, and
accessing accommodations for your studies.
Community Resources
It’s up to all of us to make SUNY Empire a fully accessible institution for all students. Learn more about universal design principles, creating accessible documents, and what resources are available to the whole community.
ExploreFAQs
Because students request accommodations based on their experiences with their disabilities, accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. We look to students to determine the modifications they require for their studies.
The law does not require the university to purchase personal services, equipment or aids for you at home. You are responsible for providing your own equipment for home use.
Any student who enrolls in a study at Empire University and has a disability is entitled to accommodations under the laws.
You only need to disclose your disability or request accommodations if you want to use them in your studies. You are not obligated to inform the university of your disability, and your disability status will not influence your admission to the university.
Identifying as a student with a disability to the Accessibility Resources & Services Office and requesting accommodations invokes the protection of the state and federal disability laws. Talking with your mentor or any other staff at the university about what modifications you may need in the study does not.
Reasonable accommodations are provided by the university at no cost to the student.
Students with disabilities are eligible to apply for TAP funds on the basis of part-time study. To learn more about this option, please visit our Financial Aid page .
New York's Chapter 219 law requires that the student purchase the print version of the textbook in order to obtain a free electronic text copy of the book. This is done to protect the publisher's and author's copyright interests.
If you would like to use an audiobook this may be available through Learning Ally. Audiobooks through Learning Ally do not require students to purchase a printed copy
of the textbook. Interested students may complete Learning Ally’s waiver application to have the subscription expense reduced or completely waived.
Each college has a staff member who is responsible for accommodating students with disabilities for that campus. If you think you will need accommodations, you should determine who that person is and make contact. You can usually find this information by going to the college's web site and searching the site using the words "disability services."
When you contact the person responsible for accommodations at the other college, contact him or her and talk about your situation. The other college may require you to provide documentation of your disability. Each college has different policies and procedures. You will have to follow their procedures to receive accommodations on their campus.
If you are required to provide documentation, or if you wish to provide the documentation to the college regardless of whether it is required or not, you can fax it to 518-584-3098 or mail it to:
Office of Accessibility Resources and Services
SUNY Empire State College
113 West Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
