Center for Student Accommodations
The Center for Student Accessibility provides reasonable accommodations and support services to students with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. As per these laws, the Center works to ensure that otherwise qualified students have equal access to the Manhattanville College experience.
Students with a disability that request services or reasonable accommodations must provide appropriate and current documentation. These services and accommodations will be determined and provided under ADAAA guidelines, on an individual basis, based upon documentation review and an in person intake interview with the Director or Assistant Director of the Center for Student Accessibility.
Students may be asked to obtain updated documentation if no recent documentation exists. Disabilities change over time and documentation should support current needs.
- PL 101-336: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- PL 101-325: Americans with Disabilities Act, as Amended in 2008, effective January 1, 2009
- PL 93-112: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- These links are for informational purposes only and are in no way to be regarded as legal advice.
Initiating Accommodations
How do I initiate the accommodations process?
To request accommodations, please refer to the following procedure:
- Log in to the Health and Accommodations Portal using your Manhattanville College username and password.
- Hover the “Accommodations” tab in the sidebar and then select “Application” from the drop down menu
- Proceed to complete the application as listed on Page 1
- Upload any supporting documentation that you have on Page 2 (please note – you can submit the application without uploading documentation, but it will be incomplete until you either upload it at a later time, or deliver it to a Center for Student Accessibility staff member).
- Fill out the Valiant Learning Support Program and Pathways and Connections Program Application on Page 3
- Submit your application.
- Schedule an intake interview with a staff member at CSA by calling 914-323-1434. Please note that your application is incomplete until this intake interview is completed.
Please do not delay your meeting or your application for accommodations out of concern for not having documentation readily available. It can be submitted at a later date for review while a CSA staff works with you on temporary or provisional accommodations.
For more information about initiating the accommodations process, please visit our website.
*Students with documented disabilities may apply to be part of the Valiant Learning Support Program (VLSP) and/or Pathways and Connections (PAC) after they have been accepted by the College and have deposited. Please note that there is a separate application process to be considered for these programs. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and acceptance is first come first serve.
Grievance Procedure
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Any student who believes that reasonable accommodations have been denied should first contact the Director of the Center for Student Accessibility who will attempt to resolve the situation expeditiously. If a resolution cannot be reached, a written petition should be submitted to the Director, who will consult with the chief compliance officer to review the petition. The decision made by the chief compliance officer is final.
Service and Support Animal Policy
Manhattanville College understands the importance of Service and Support Animals to those individuals with disabilities and has therefore established policies and procedures to provide equal access to those individuals requiring this support and to ensure the safety of the campus. This policy ensures that people with disabilities, who require the use of Service or Support Animals as a reasonable accommodation, are granted this privilege so that they may receive the benefit of the work or tasks performed by such animals or the therapeutic support they provide. Please contact the Director of the Center for Student Accessibility to learn more about the policies and procedures of a Service or Support Animal.
Valiant Learning Support Program-VLSP
The Valiant Learning Support Program (VLSP) is a fee-based program that serves as a center of support for students with documented learning disabilities. It is designed to assist college-ready students to navigate the academic challenges of the college curriculum. This program offers students customized learning strategy sessions with highly trained, professional Learning Specialists. Learning Specialists provide each student enrolled in the program with 3 hours of 1:1 academic support on a weekly basis which may include working with students on writing skills, reading comprehension skills, executive functioning skills such as time management and prioritization, and study skills. Learning Specialists use the student’s own course work to support students in their efforts to take ownership of their own learning and partner with students to promote self-advocacy and self-determination.
The Pathways and Connections Program (PAC)
The Pathways and Connections Program is an innovative and comprehensive fee based program designed to assist college-ready students on the Autism Spectrum. The program focuses on executive functioning skills in the social realm and supports students with transitional skills and integration into the campus community.
Residential Housing Accommodations
Manhattanville College provides housing accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1978, and the Fair Housing Act to ensure equal access to programs, activities, and facilities. While ADA requires that student requests are considered, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is not deemed reasonable, or if other appropriate options are available. Only students with documented disabilities are eligible for consideration for housing accommodations.
The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Students wishing to apply for medical housing accommodation(s) must be registered with the Center for Student Accessibility (CSA). Applications can be requested through the Accommodations Portal. The Housing Accommodations Committee will review completed applications and make accommodation determinations based on documentation and an intake interview with the student.
Medical Housing Applications will be evaluated by a staff member of the Center for Student Accessibility. Each application is provided individualized consideration. Students must submit an ‘Authorization for Release of Information’ form which will permit the application information to be reviewed and discussed by the aforementioned committee members. Submission of a Medical Housing Application, supporting documentation, and a diagnosis from a physician/licensed mental health professional does not guarantee approval of requested accommodations.
This application must be completed by a qualified, licensed medical practitioner or clinician, and approval is dependent upon the nature and the severity of the disability. The diagnostician completing this application must be an impartial individual who is not socially acquainted (family, friend, etc.) with the student. The provider must be licensed to practice in the field related to the reason for which the request is being made (i.e.: medical needs can only be recommended by a physician and/or medical specialist and psychological needs can only be recommended by a licensed mental health professional).
Completed Medical Housing Applications must be submitted through the Accommodations Portal. Students can use their Manhattanville credentials to access this secure portal. If necessary, students can also hand deliver documentation and completed applications to the Center for Student Accommodations directly.
Center for Student Accessibility
Manhattanville College
2900 Purchase Street
Purchase, NY 10577
Main Office Number: 914.323.1434
Library, Room 134
If the condition for which the accommodation has been approved has potential to improve over time, the student will need to resubmit the application each year. Any student diagnosed with a chronic condition will obtain special approval (specified in the approval letter) and will not have to resubmit the application each year in order to show documentation of continued need.Please note that Support Animal and Service Animal information should be updated annually or as needed via the Animal Registration form.
To submit an application for a Residential Housing Accommodation, please access the Accommodations Portal at:
https://mville.studenthealthportal.com