Specialized Resources
Welcome to Connecticut College! The following information is to help you as you make the transition to college and to better understand how Student Accessibility Services can support you.
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Differences Between High School and College Receiving Accommodations
in College: FAQ How to Register Process When to Contact Student
Accessibility Services Housing Accommodations
You might. The first step is that SAS must determine – based on the documentation you provide – that you meet the definition under Section 504 and the ADA of an individual with a disability. A diagnosis alone does not mean that you have a disability. A disability is defined as having “a substantial limitation of a major life activity.” If you are determined to have a disability, you may register with SAS.
Registration alone does not mean that you will receive an accommodation that you ask for. The next requirement is that there is an "access issue." If there is an access issue, SAS will determine specific accommodations. Accommodations are determined by documentation submitted by a student as well as student input. Accommodations are granted on a case-by-case basis and may vary from the requested accommodation.
Colleges may not discriminate against students with disabilities by denying them access to its programs, services, activities or housing that it offers to students without disabilities. Thus, they have “access” to what everyone else does.
This is pretty straightforward in the context of physical access, for example having a ramp or curb cutout to ensure a wheelchair can enter a building or having a strobe light alarm in a dorm room for a student who cannot hear the fire alarm. It is also clear in a classroom context when the access issue is having a desk that can accommodate a wheelchair or having subtitles for a student with a hearing impairment.
But, what about the common academic accommodation of extended time for testing? Where is the access issue? The access issue is that students without a disability have the opportunity to demonstrate what they know. A student with a learning disability may need the extra time to do the same and not be demonstrating the impact of their learning disability.
The College must provide an accommodation that is necessary for access, but the law does not provide for what is necessary for success.
That will depend. High school disability law and higher education disability law differ in many ways. Special Education/IDEA requirements apply to K-12. There is a difference between Section 504 in K-12 versus college. Under subsection D (what applied to you through high school) accommodations are intended to help you be successful. Subsection E (what applies in college) is only about access, not success. That is why the rationale for an accommodation, “But I need this to be successful,” does not substantiate the need for an accommodation in college. Don’t stop reading! See the next question!
Of course we do! However, the ways we work to help you toward achieving success are through numerous resources on campus to help you reach your full potential and to promote success (advising team, class deans, faculty, ARC, Writing Center, Tutoring Center, Health Services, Counseling Services, student life programming, residence life staff, etc). And an additional resource is Student Accessibility Services! Even if we did not issue you an accommodation that you requested, we are still a resource to help you be successful. We will meet individually to strategize, identify College resources and provide training in assistive technology.
You should contact SAS as soon as you have deposited with the College. This will allow enough time for us to review your request and documentation, implement accommodations, and for you to update and/or supplement any documentation as needed.
Registration/Accommodation requests that are submitted by Early Decision acceptance students prior to May 1 will be reviewed by the end of May. Registration/Accommodation requests that are submitted after May 1 will be reviewed in August.
Fall Semester Arrival: Housing accommodation requests and documentation must be submitted through AIM by May 15 in order to receive Housing accommodations for the fall semester.
Spring Semester Arrival: Housing accommodation requests and documentation must be submitted through AIM by January 2 in order to receive Housing accommodations for the spring semester.
In order to register with Student Accessibility Services, the student must complete an application online and upload the necessary documentation through the AIM Portal (see below).
Documentation to support a disability should include information regarding the nature of your impairment or condition and your functional limitations, as well as any accommodations considered appropriate.
Depending on the disability, the documentation may be in the form of a current neuro-psychological or educational evaluation report or for medical and/or psychiatric conditions, use the Medical or Psychiatric Disability Verification form. Students whose medical condition is Asthma or Allergies should instead use the Asthma and Allergy Verification form. Please see Specific Documentation Guidelines below for more information.
When uploading documentation each evaluation/report must be submitted as one file. Individual pages are not accepted. If a file is over 3MB follow the directions below, "How to Reduce the Size of a PDF".
If you are unsure if you have a disability that is impacting your learning and would like to be evaluated or need an updated neuropsychological / psychoeducational evaluation, the following resources may be of assistance. Please note that Connecticut College and the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) do not endorse these providers. Please verify that the providers are able to supply the appropriate testing and documentation before initiating services with them (see Documentation Guidelines). The information on this list is subject to change at any time.
Your pediatrician or primary care provider may also be a good resource for finding a provider located near your home.
Direct Service Providers:
Mary H. Cheyne, Psy.D.
Location: Glastonbury, CT
Phone: 860-652-0335
Sliding Scale: No
Caryl Frankenberger, Ed.M.
Location: Branford, CT
Phone: 203-871-9747
Sliding Scale: Yes
Shelley F. Pelletier, Ph.D.
Location: Old Saybrook, CT
Phone: (860) 388-2000
Website: http://spns.cc/
Sliding Scale: No
Melissa Root, Ph.D.
Location: New London, CT
Website: http://rootsuccess.com/
Phone: 860-389-8589
Sliding Scale: No
Brenda Shapiro, Ph.D.
Location: Colchester, CT
Website: http://www.childneuroct.com/
Phone: 860-377-4393
Sliding Scale: Yes
UCONN’s Psychological Services Clinic
Location: Storrs, CT
Website: http://psychservicesclinic.uconn.edu/
Phone: (860) 486-2642
Sliding Scale: Yes
Referral Agency:
SPEDConnecticut Providers
Description: SPEDConnecticut is a non-profit organization that has a list of providers that are willing to do psycho-educational evaluations at a lower fee. The student must meet income criteria. Please call for further information. Website: http://www.spedconnecticut.org/
Phone: 860-560-1711
Sliding Fee: Yes
Department of Social Services
Description: Contact your home state Department of Social Services Vocational Rehabilitation Services to see if you are eligible for an evaluation.
If your evaluator is coming to campus, contact Lillian Liebenthal lliebent@conncoll.edu to assist you in reserving a space.
Your request for registration and accommodations, as well as your documentation, will be reviewed by Student Accessibility Services. You will be required to meet or speak with someone from SAS. The Documentation Committee and the Accommodations Review Committee will review your information and you will be informed by SAS of the determinations and whether anything else is required of you at that time.
Connecticut College does not grant accommodations solely based on the recommendations of evaluators or care providers. The determination is made based on all information relevant to the documented functional limitations caused by the disability in relation to our program.
Should any student feel they have not been treated in accordance with Section 504/ADA with regard to access and accommodations, it is recommended that the student make every attempt to resolve the matter in an informal manner. Should the student choose, a formal appeal in writing may be filed with the Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion.
To register with Student Accessibility Services you must complete the online application through the Accessible Information Management (AIM) system. ***Parents and guardians may not submit applications on behalf of their child.*** Students who are currently registered with SAS will also use this portal to request Faculty Notification Letters each semester.
AIM
Accessible Information Management
Student Guide:Registering with Student Accessibility Services
Student Video:Registering with Student Accessibility Services
Student Guide:Requesting Faculty Notification Letters
Student Video:Requesting Faculty Notification Letters
Student Consent for Release of Information to Parents and Providers
Understanding Housing Accommodations at a Residential College
Connecticut College requires students to live on campus in a community environment. Students with disabilities must follow the College’s housing policies and guidelines. Housing accommodations are available to ensure access to the residence and residential programming. Please consider the following when making accommodation requests:
Request for Housing Accommodation
Fall Semester Arrival: Housing accommodation requests and supporting documentation must be submitted through the AIM Portal by May 15 in order to receive Housing accommodations for the fall semester.
Spring Semester Arrival: Housing accommodation requests and supporting documentation must be submitted through the AIM Portal by January 2 in order to receive Housing accommodations for the spring semester.
Requests made after the deadline will be considered, however rooms may be limited and accommodations cannot be guaranteed.
Connecticut College Dining Services works directly with students to try to meet their dietary needs based on medical need and/or food allergies. Please contact Dining Staff's Chris Manfredi to discuss your needs. In most cases, you will be able to receive what you need based on this discussion. If necessary, Dining Services may refer you to SAS if documentation and formal approval of an accommodation is necessary.
Accessibility Services
Mailing Address
Connecticut College
Student Accessibility Services
Box 5213
270 Mohegan Ave
New London, CT 06320
Campus Location
Main Street West, 2nd floor Harris Refectory. Enter through Harris Refectory, take the stairs or elevator to the second floor. Turn left, first office on the left.