Columbia University Health Services

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is available to speak with you and your student about the important differences between high school and college with respect to services for students with disabilities. Understanding these differences will help to ensure a smooth transition period for both you and your student. Below we have provided a summary that highlights these differences. We have also included information that is specific to our program for students with disabilities.

In high school, teachers or other school personnel identified students who were in need of services, provided free assessments, and developed Individualized Educational Plans (IEP’s) based on these assessments. These plans may have included a modified curriculum, specialized instruction, tutoring, academic accommodations, and services of a personal nature.

In contrast, postsecondary education requires students with disabilities to be much more self-directed about gaining access to the key accommodations they need. While K-12’s emphasis is on ensuring students’ success, postsecondary disability services is focused upon "leveling the playing field" for students with disabilities so that they have equal opportunity and equal access. With these important distinctions in mind, the following represent key features of the Office of Disability Services at Columbia:

• Students must self identify to the Office of Disability Services to request accommodations
• Students also must provide appropriate documentation of their condition/disability. Colleges are not responsible for assessing or determining students’ disability status or related needs. Colleges also have the right to set reasonable standards regarding the type of documentation and can require that such documentation must be current.
• Higher education institutions, including Columbia, review students’ documentation and determine their disability-related needs for academic adjustments and reasonable accommodations.
• Reasonable accommodations coordinated by the Office of Disability Services to eligible students include extended time on exams, note taking services, textbooks and other materials in an alternate format, and sign language interpreting, CART and C-Print services.
• Office of Disability Services consults with faculty and/or students’ academic programs to ensure that accommodations do not modify the fundamental nature of these programs.
• Additionally, services of a personal nature and tutoring are not considered reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the two laws which govern the provision of accommodations at the college level.
• Students are expected to follow the established procedures for receiving reasonable accommodations in order to maintain their eligibility for such accommodations.

ODS looks forward to working with your student as she/he becomes a part of the vibrant Columbia community. We are here to support your student by providing appropriate, reasonable accommodations that facilitate academic and physical access to Columbia’s programs and activities. If you have any questions, please contact us .

Frequently Asked Questions for Parents and Families