Please watch the film Accommodation.
The Moses Center for Student Accessibility (CSA) determines qualified disability status and assists students in obtaining appropriate accommodations and services. CSD operates according to an “Independent Living Philosophy”, and strives in its policies and practices to empower each student to become as independent as possible. Our services are designed to encourage independence, backed by a strong system of supports.
726 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-998-4980
Fax: 212-995-4114
e-mail: mosescsd@nyu.edu
Useful Highlights For Faculty
Disability Higher Education functions under a “self identification” concept. It is the responsibility of the disabled student to request reasonable accommodations and to manage the use of their accommodations.
Reasonable Accommodations are provided free of charge for students who are eligible to attend, enroll or benefit from the University’s programs, services, and activities.
Accommodations are provided on an individual basis dependent on the need for services, request for reasonable accommodations, documentation of disability and program requirements
Common Examples of Reasonable Accommodations
- Extended or double time on in-class exams and assignments
- A smaller proctored testing environment
- Supplemental class notes
- Tape recording lectures
- Use of a computer for exams or in-class note-taking
- Accessibility
- Sign language interpreters or other communication services
- Housing
- Foreign Language Substitutions ( are courses essential to the degree or program)
Examples of Accommodations that are Not Reasonable
- Extensions on deadlines for assignments/papers*
- Tutoring
- Exams in an alternate form (oral instead of essay or multiple choice)
- Course Exemptions
- Extra course absences (attendance policy is essential to the degree, mandatory for all students, discretion of faculty)*
* although Moses no longer offers these accommodations, students who have received them in the past have been grandfathered in. The language of each accommodation has changed to offer the faculty more structure.
Tips to Faculty
Include a statement regarding accommodations in your syllabi. This message should simply state, “If you are a student with a disability and feel you need accommodations, you must register with the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities. They are located at 726 Broadway, 2nd fl. and can be reached at 212-998-4980 or mosescsd@nyu.edu.”
If a student tells you they have a disability, they may not feel comfortable disclosing what the disability is. Do not ask. Whatever the discussion, listen and then refer the student to CSD.
Any information the student tells you must remain confidential. Conduct all disability-related meetings in a private location.
Do not accept disability documentation. This information is confidential and should be on record only in the CSD office.
If you choose to provide testing accommodations for students with disabilities who provide you with an official CSD accommodation letter, collaborate with CSD. We can offer helpful hints for providing effective accommodations.
If a student does not provide you with an accommodation letter from CSD but they request an accommodation such as extended time, check with us to make sure the student is in fact entitled to the accommodation. Not all students with disabilities are registered with the office.
If a student fails an exam because he/she chose to take it without their accommodations, you are under no obligation to offer them a make up or another assignment to supplement the grade. Accommodations are not retroactive.
Contact the student’s disability specialist if you are uncertain what is appropriate.