The City University of New York, in compliance with Sections 503 and 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Rehabilitation Act”), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), New York State Executive Law §296, and the New York City Human Rights Law, provides qualified individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in programs, activities or employment.
Responsibility for Implementation
The president of each constituent college of The City University of New York, the Senior Vice Chancellor for the Central Office, and the Dean of the Law School are responsible for the implementation of these procedures.
Each University unit has a 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator who has responsibility for coordinating efforts to ensure access and non-discrimination for individuals with disabilities.
The Human Resources Director along with supervisors of each constituent college of The City University of New York is responsible for making arrangements to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants for employment and current employees.
Each University unit has a Student Disabilities Services Coordinator who has responsibility for providing services and coordinating efforts to ensure access to programs and activities for students with disabilities.
Procedures for Requesting an Accommodation
Applicants for Employment
As part of a standard acknowledgment letter, individual applicants are to be instructed to contact the college’s Director of Human Resources if an accommodation is needed to participate in the application/interview process. The Human Resources Director will make arrangements with the appropriate individuals to provide a reasonable accommodation.
Current Employees
Upon initial hire, each employee is given the opportunity to self–identify as a person with a disability and to request a reasonable accommodation. The self-identification form is to be circulated annually by Human Resources to all current employees to permit the self-identification of employees who may have become disabled subsequent to initial hire.
An employee should make any initial request for accommodation to his/her immediate supervisor. Alternatively, an employee may direct his/her request to the Director of Human Resources at the site. In either case, consultation between the employee’s supervisor and the Director of Human Resources should take place to determine whether the requested accommodation, or an alternate accommodation, is appropriate and should be implemented. Appropriate supporting documentation should be provided to the Human Resources Director. If the proffered accommodation is acceptable to the employee, the Human Resources Director should inform the 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator of the nature of the accommodation.
When an accommodation is complex or requires college expenditures, the supervisor and the Human Resources Director are required to obtain the input of the 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator and/or other college officials. Such consultation shall be confidential, and limited to those officials whose input is necessary to the decision.
Employees may consult with the college’s 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator at any time to discuss and understand their rights under the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA and state and local legislation, and they are encouraged to do so.
Visitors
Brochures/flyers announcing specific public programs should include a statement identifying the person to contact if an accommodation is needed. The time frame, by which such a request must be made, e.g. forty-eight hours in advance, must be included in the statement. A visitor should make any initial request for accommodation to the individual designated on the flyer. The designee should consult with appropriate college officials to determine the feasibility of granting the requested accommodation. Such consultation shall be confidential, and limited to those officials whose input is necessary to the decision. If the proffered accommodation is acceptable to the visitor, the designee should inform the 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator of the nature of the accommodation.
Students
A student should make an initial request for accommodation to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, and provide appropriate supporting documentation. The Student Disabilities Services Coordinator may consult with appropriate college officials such as the instructor or Provost to determine the appropriateness of the requested accommodation consistent with the program requirements. Such consultation shall be confidential, and limited to those officials whose input is necessary to the decision.
Students may consult with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities or the 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator at any time to discuss and understand their rights under the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA, and state and local legislation, and they are encouraged to do so.
Carrie Dehls is the Human Resources Benefits Coordinator. Employees may reach her at cdehls@jjay.cuny.edu or at 212.237.8504.
Malaine Clarke is the Director of Accessibility Services. Students may reach her at maclarke@jjay.cuny.edu or at 212.237.8185.
Silvia Montalban is the College’s 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator, She can be reached at smontalban@jjay.cuny.edu or at 646.557.4409.
Additonal information about this CUNY policy can be accessed at: http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/accessibility-services-appeal-process