Disability, Accessibility, and Accommodations
Workplace Accommodations for Employees
Disability Services
Working with administrative assistance from HR Disability Services, DS manages support for employees of the University who are seeking accommodation for a temporary or permanent medical condition or disability. Acting on a referral from HR Disability Benefits, DS works with an employee’s department to arrange temporary or permanent accommodations for a chronic condition, a temporary injury or the effects of a medical procedure.
For further information, please contact:
Phone/TTY (Morningside): 212-854-2388
Fax: 212-854-3448
Email: [email protected]
HR Disability Benefits
HR Disability Benefits coordinates intake for all employees self-identifying with a disability, explaining the application process and describing the documentation needed to support a request for service. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to self-identify and contact HR Disability Benefits for a consultation.
Employees seeking a disability workplace accommodation should contact HR Disability Benefits at: (212) 851-0698.
For further information or assistance, please contact:
HR Disability Benefits
615 West 131st Street, MC 8703
Studebaker 4th Floor
New York, NY 10027
Telephone: (212) 851-7000
Fax: (212) 851-7069
Email: [email protected] (link sends e-mail)
Disability Accommodations for Students
Disability Services
Columbia University's Disability Services (DS) is responsible for coordinating support for students with disabilities, developing University-wide policies for assisting and accommodating students with disabilities, arranging reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, and advising on the interpretation of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Upon admission to Columbia University, all entering students with disabilities are encouraged to contact DS.
Reasonable Accommodations are adjustments to policy, practice, and programs that “level the playing field” for students with disabilities and provide equal access to Columbia’s programs and activities. Examples include the administration of exams, services such as note-taking, sign language interpreters, assistive technology, and coordination of accessible housing needs. Accommodation plans and services are custom designed to match the disability-related needs of each student and are determined according to documentation and the student’s program requirements.
Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis after DS considers the student’s needs as described in their disability documentation. Faculty also have the opportunity to consult with DS on the final determination of accommodations for each of their courses and for each student. Some accommodations may be appropriate in one course or program, but not in another.
Columbia is committed to fostering a learning, living, and working environment that is accessible for students with disabilities. Students seeking access, accommodations or support services for a disability should contact Disability Services at (212) 854-2388. Information on the services provided by Disability Services may be found online at: http://health.columbia.edu/disability-services
For further information or assistance, please contact:
Phone/TTY (Morningside): 212-854-2388
Fax: 212-854-3448
Email: [email protected]
Morningside Campus Location
Wien Hall, Main Floor — Suite 108A (map to Disability Services)
411 West 116th St., Mail Code 3711
New York, NY 10027
Phone (212) 854-2388 (Voice/TTY)
Fax (212) 854-3448
Email [email protected]
Medical Center Campus Location
105 Bard Hall, 50 Haven Ave. (map to Disability Services at CUIMC)
New York, NY 10032
Please note the accessible entrance is at the 60 Haven Ave. building entrance located just north of 50 Haven Ave.
Phone (212) 304-7029
Fax (212) 854-3448
Email [email protected]
Accessibility
Campus Access Maps, which illustrate accessible features of Columbia University's buildings and grounds, are available upon request from the Office of Disability Services and the Department of Public Safety.
While Columbia continues to improve physical access to its campus and buildings, it ensures that all of its programs and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. If a program or activity is scheduled for a venue that is not fully accessible, it is Columbia’s policy to relocate such events to accessible facilities that meet the needs of the individual student. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) works closely with students to ensure that their residence halls and classrooms meet their access needs.
Columbia University is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming environment for faculty, staff, students and visitors and encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access for a Columbia event or activity should contact the host program in advance of the occasion to arrange the necessary accommodations.
The Department of Public Safety is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist guests and visitors with outdoor access to the different levels of campus. The Department will also assist guest and visitors with access within campus buildings, subject to each building’s hour of operation. To arrange for assistance, visitors should contact the Public Safety desk in Low Library or request help from the guards stations 24 hours a day at campus entrances at the West 116th and Broadway and West 116th Street and Amsterdam or from any other Public Safety officer they may encounter.
For assistance and information, please contact:
Department of Public Safety
Phone: 212-854-2797 or 212-854-5555
1st Floor, Low Library
535 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
Columbia University is committed to ensuring that the services and programs offered by the Libraries and CUIT are accessible to all patrons. The University works with patrons on an individual basis to assess their unique accommodation needs.
If you have any questions, please contact the Access Services Division liaison, Mayra Melendez, at (212) 854-3536 or [email protected].
Emergency Call Boxes on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses may be used to contact the Department of Public Safety to request assistance with access to different campus levels and to buildings.
Campus access tours are available upon request from the Office of Disability Services. These tours will be designed to meet the specific needs of the individuals requesting them.
For information or assistance, please contact;
Disability Services
Phone: 212-854-2388
TTY: 212-854-2378