Disability 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.

Employees seeking a disability workplace accommodation should contact HR Disability Benefits at: (212) 851-0698.

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

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

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]

 

Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations

Columbia University is committed to supporting the academic and professional success of pregnant and parenting students and employees.

If you are an employee who needs to request or discuss accommodations, please contact Human Resources:

Hana O. Bloch
Senior Manager, Leave Management and Workplace Accommodations
Phone: 212-851-0662
[email protected]

If you are a student who needs to request or discuss accommodations, please contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator:

Marjory D. Fisher
Associate Vice President
Title IX Coordinator
Phone:  212-853-1276
[email protected]

To access a Lactation Room, please consult with the Office of Work/Life:

http://worklife.columbia.edu/accessing-lactation-rooms
Phone: 212-854-8019
[email protected]

Affirmative Action for Individuals with Disabilities

As a recipient of federal contracts in excess of $10,000, Columbia University is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, which requires that all federal contractors holding a contract with the federal government in excess of $10,000 "take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities."  The U.S. Department of Labor enforces this statute and its implementing regulations – which may be found in Chapter 60 of Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 60-741.41 et seq. – and requires federal contractors with a contract of $10,000 or more to prepare and implement a written Affirmative Action Program for individuals with disabilities.

In furtherance of these federal mandates, Columbia University has prepared and implemented Affirmative Action Programs for Individuals with Disabilities for its Morningside Campus, for its CUIMC campus and for the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Campus.  These Programs are designed to enhance the opportunities of qualified individuals with disabilities.

For purposes of these Programs, the following terms and definitions apply:

  • Individual with a Disability refers to any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities; (ii) has a record of such an impairment; or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.
     
  • Qualified Individual with a Disability refers to an individual with a disability who satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other job-related requirements of the employment position such individual holds or desires, and who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of such position.
     
  • Special Disabled Veterans refers to (i) a Veteran entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under the laws administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs for disability who is rated at 30% or more, or is rated at 10 or 20 percent in the case of a Veteran who has been determined under Section 3106 of Title 38, U.S.C. to have a serious employment handicap; or (ii) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

Copies of the Programs are available in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.