The Office of Disability Services (ODS) facilitates equal access for students with disabilities by coordinating reasonable accommodations and support services. 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 documented needs and the student's program requirements.
Students seeking accommodations must register with ODS. Students are encouraged to register within the first two weeks of the semester to ensure that reasonable accommodations can be made for that term. Please note that students are not eligible to receive reasonable accommodations until the registration process is complete.
ODS also provides information on campus accessibility and a Campus Access Map.
Disability Services Liaisons are representatives from the student's school who assist ODS in coordinating the provisions of reasonable accommodations. The Disability Services Liaison in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is Rebecca Hirade (rst1@columbia.edu, 212-854-3789), Associate Dean for Administration and Planning.