Disability Services at

Wellesley College

Jim Wice, M.Ed., C.R.C.

Director of Disability Services

106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481

(781) 283-2434 voice/tty

jwice@wellesley.edu

updated 3/20/08
Disability Services at Wellesley College

Table of Contents

Page

Statement of Institutional Commitment………………………………………….………………… 4

I. Practice and Procedures

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

Disability Services…………………………………………………………………………………. 5

Accommodation Request Process………………………………………………………………….. 5

Common Questions………………………………………………………………………………… 8

II. Campus Access Programs and Resources

Accessible Routes Map………………………………………………………….…………………. 10

Accessible Transportation Service………………………………………………………………… 10

Davis Museum and Cultural Center………………………………………………………………... 10

Disability Services Providers Committee………………………………………………………….. 10

Health Service and Simpson Infirmary…………………………………………………………….. 11

Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center……………………………………………………….. 11

Power Doors………………………………………………………………………..………………. 11

Residence Halls……………………………………………………………………………..……… 12

Shuttle Bus………………………………………………………………………………...……….. 12

Stone Center Counseling Services…………………………………………………………………. 12

III. Local and National Disability Access Resources

Accessible Parking………………………………………………………………….……………… 13

Architectural Access………………………………………………………………………..……… 13

Assistance-Client Assistance Program…………………………………………………………….. 13

Assistive Technology………………………………………………………………………………. 13

Communications with Individuals who are Deaf……………...…………………………………… 14

Employment/Accommodations Advice…………………...……………………………………….. 14

Health Resources…………………………………………………..………………………………. 14

Higher Education and Disability…………………………………………………………………… 14

Independent Living Services……………………………………………….………………………. 15

Legal Advice…………………………………………………………………..…………………… 15

Transportation……………………………………………………………………...………………. 15

Vocational Rehabilitation……………………………………………………………..…………… 16

Wheelchair Rental………………………………………………………………………………….. 16

Disability Services at Wellesley College

Appendix

Page

Disability Services At A Glance

For All……………………………………………………………………………………… 18

Accessibility Map--Accessible Routes and Buildings

Accommodation Request Process

Commencement

Parking

Transportation--Bus

Transportation--MBTA

Web Page for Disability Services

Wheelchair Rental

For Students and Applicants for Admission…………………………………………….18, 19

Admissions

Attention Disorders

Learning Disabilities

Medical Disabilities

Physical Disabilities

Psychiatric and Emotional Disabilities

Transportation--Van

For Applicants for Employment, Faculty, and Staff………….…………….……………… 19

Faculty

Human Resources

Staff

For Alumnae……………………………………………………………………………….. 20

Alumnae Association

Alumnae Leadership Council

Reunion Week

Summer Symposium

For Guests

Public Events

Accessible Routes Map…………………………………………………………………………….. 21

Statement of Institutional Commitment

Wellesley College, an institution committed to educating women who will make a difference in the world, also strives to foster a residential learning environment that values all its members. We recognize the unique contributions of each individual and we encourage and support each individual’s full participation in the programmatic life of the campus. Wellesley is committed to providing equal workplace and educational opportunities for all its faculty, staff and students, including those with disabilities. The College does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities in its admissions and educational programs, nor in its hiring and employment decisions. As mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, no qualified individual with disabilities will be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, any program or workplace activity. Affirmatively, our college will provide reasonable accommodation and program accessibility to qualified students, employees and visitors to our campus.

At Wellesley we recognize that to create a truly inclusive environment we need to remove barriers that may have prevented full inclusion in the past. Sometimes these barriers are physical, but they also may be barriers created by ignorance and fear. We ask our community members to educate themselves about issues of access as Wellesley College actively seeks to remove these impediments to full participation.

I. Disability Practice and Procedures

Introduction

Wellesley College promotes inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all facets of the campus community. There are individuals with disabilities learning, teaching, and working at Wellesley College and participating in numerous sponsored activities. Disability Services professionals are available to assist in identifying existing accessibility resources and in receiving requests for accommodations to make the campus and its’ program more accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Disability Services

Disability Services at Wellesley College are provided through a cadre of professionals who provide services and information to students, staff, faculty, and guests with disabilities. These professionals are also available to receive requests for accommodations so that individuals with disabilities will have access to the programs and activities offered at the campus.

The Office of Disability Services is headed by Director of Disability Services, Jim Wice. The Director of Disability Services is responsible for the coordination of disability services on campus. He coordinates the efforts of Wellesley College’s Disability Services Providers, delivering services for all constituencies. Specifically, the Office of Disability Services works with these individuals and others to serve the needs of students, faculty, staff and visitors who have a disability and require appropriate accommodation. To ensure coordination of services and to promote equal access, the Director of Disability Services also convenes a Disability Services Providers Committee, which includes all Disability Services Providers, pertinent faculty and support staff.

Accommodation Request Process

The accommodation request process is designed to be easy to follow. First an individual must meet with an appropriate Disability Services Provider to discuss her disability and needs. The individual will be asked to complete an accommodation request form. The Disability Services Provider will specify what type of disability documentation must be provided to be considered for an accommodation. The accommodation request review will proceed once documentation is received. In some cases additional documentation will be required before a decision can be reached.

Disabilities accommodation at Wellesley College is decentralized by constituency. All individuals needing accommodations or information are encouraged to contact one of the following Disability Services Providers listed with the constituents each serve. In the alternative, anyone may contact Jim Wice in the Office of Disability Services and that person will be referred to the appropriate individual. The information in this guide is intended to supplement and to enhance the assistance available by meeting directly with the staff identified here.

Applicants for Admission, Applicants for Employment, Staff, Visitors and Alumnae

· Jim Wice, M.Ed., Director of Disability Services, (781) 283-2434 voice/tty

Students

Students with Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder

· Jim Wice, M.Ed., Director of Disability Services,

(781) 283-2434 voice/tty

Students with Medical Disabilities[1]

· Vanessa Britto, M.D., Director of Health Service,

(781) 283-2810

Students with Psychiatric Disabilities

· Robin Cook-Nobles, Ed.D., Director of Counseling Services,

(781) 283-2839

Students with Physical Disabilities

· Jim Wice, M.Ed., Director of Disability Services,

(781) 283-2434 voice/tty

Faculty

· Andrew Shennan, Ph.D, Dean of the College, (781) 283-3583

· Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Ph.D., Associate Dean, (781) 283-3583

· Adele J. Wolfson, Ph.D., Associate Dean, (781) 283-3583

· Jim Wice, M.Ed., Director of Disability Services, (781) 283-2434 voice/tty

Upon receipt of the documentation, the appropriate Disability Services Provider will determine 1) if the individual has a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and 2) if the accommodations request is reasonable. In some cases, additional documentation will be required. In other cases the Disability Services Provider, upon examination of available information, may decide that an alternative accommodation meets the needs of the individual requesting accommodation.

The Disability Services Provider will make every effort to quickly provide accommodations that have been deemed appropriate. If an accommodation is not granted and you disagree, you may appeal the decision—for students to the Dean of Students, for staff to the Director of Human Resources, for faculty to the Dean of the College.

The accommodation request process is summarized as follows:[2]

Accommodation Request Process

1. Meet with a Disability Services Provider to discuss the disability and resulting needs.

2. Complete an accommodation request form and submit it to the Disability Services Provider.

3. Submit appropriate and timely medical documentation or other documentation from a professional qualified to make an assessment of your condition.

4. The Disability Services Provider will determine if a disability exists as defined under the ADA.

5. If a disability exists, the Disability Services Provider will gather additional information as needed to determine if the request is reasonable.

6. The Disability Services Provider will communicate the results of the inquiry to the requesting individual.

7. If an accommodation is determined reasonable and necessary, the Disability Services Provider assists in either providing the requested accommodation or an appropriate alternative.

In the event there is a dispute concerning the disposition of the requested accommodation, the individual may appeal the decision-- for students to the Dean of Students, for staff to the Director of Human Resources, for faculty to the Dean of the College.

To receive accommodations, individuals with disabilities are responsible for:

· Disclosing her/his disability to the appropriate Disability Services Provider by providing medical or other appropriate documentation if requesting an accommodation. In the event an individual is uncertain about whom to contact s/he should contact the Director of Disability Services.

· Making a request with all necessary information provided in the timelines created to ensure proper review and provision.

· Notifying the Disability Services Provider of any cancellations or changes in requests or scheduled accommodations.

Disability Services can not provide an accommodation if an individual with a disability does not disclose and provide documentation of a disability and/or does not make a request with enough time to provide the accommodation. Every effort will be made to provide for requests determined reasonable but an alternative may also be provided.

Individuals also have additional rights specified in detail in the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA.

Common Questions

The following are questions one might ask concerning disability and accommodation issues at Wellesley. This list of questions is not intended to be exhaustive. Those having further questions should contact directly the Director of Disability Services and/or any of the Disability Services Providers or other resources listed on pages 5.

1. What is a Disability?

The legal definition of disability is "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities." Wellesley College recognizes that there exist many medical conditions that may not rise to the level of impairment envisioned by this definition. Although the College strives to be responsive to all individuals desiring accommodations, services and/or adaptive aids, our priority is to provide accommodations and auxiliary aids to those individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA.

2. What is a reasonable accommodation?

Generally speaking, accommodations are services, resources, adaptations, and restructuring that allow an individual with a disability to have equal access to something someone without a disability has access to. The umbrella term “accommodation” refers to both auxiliary aids (terminology often used for student accommodations) and employment-based services, resources and adaptations. An institution is obligated to provide accommodations and/or auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA. However, the accommodation must be reasonable. Although the ADA provides examples of different kinds of auxiliary aids and accommodations[3], all accommodations are determined on an individual basis after an examination of pertinent medical documentation or other appropriate documentation. An accommodation provided for an individual with a particular disability may be completely different from the accommodation provided for an individual with a nearly identical disability.

3. What happens if I have no medical or other appropriate documentation?

Unfortunately, the College will not be able to guarantee either reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids to anyone who is unable to provide necessary medical documentation. Please speak to the Director of Disability Services for advice on acquiring documentation of your disability.

4. What are my privacy rights regarding my medical information?

Information shared with the Director of Disability Services and/or any of the Disability Services Providers will be kept confidential to the greatest extent possible. Only those individuals with a bona fide need to know (i.e., a Disability Services Provider) will have access to your medical information. Information will not be shared with others (including professors, supervisors, and peers) without the explicit permission of the individual.

II. Campus Access Programs and Resources

While eligible[4] individuals with disabilities are welcome to use any program the College has to offer, there are programs that may be of particular interest because of the disability significant activities provided. The programs and resources that follow contain brief introductions to the services viewed as most relevant to the topic of disability and access. For a more complete description of all services provided contact the program or visit the Wellesley College web site at www.wellesley.edu.

Accessible Routes Map

http://www.wellesley.edu/CampusMaps/accessmap.pdf

The Accessible Routes Map available on the web and at the end of this guide identifies access paths, entrances and parking on campus. More information about campus accessibility is available by contacting Jim Wice, Director of Disability Services.

Accessible Transportation Service

Clapp Library, 3^rd floor

(781) 283-2434 voice/tty

Wellesley College offers an accessible transportation service for students with permanent and temporary disabilities. Transportation is lift-equipped and is primarily for travel to and from class on-campus as well as to other academically related activities. When schedules permit, other on-campus rides may be available. Priority is given to students with the most mobility limiting disabilities.

Davis Museum and Cultural Center

Jewett Hall

(781) 283-3382

The Davis Museum and Cultural Center has a manual wheelchair available for visitors of exhibits. Its exhibitions and programs serve both the campus community and the public and are known for their innovations and fresh approach to art.

Disability Services Providers Committee

Clapp Library, 3^rd floor

(781) 283-2434 voice/tty

The Disability Services Providers Committee’s mission is to provide advice, leadership, and coordination to achieve access for individuals with disabilities at Wellesley College. The Director of Disability Services convenes the group monthly to identify and address access needs and to advocate for policies and initiate procedures that promotes inclusion of all individuals with disabilities at the College.

Health Service and Simpson Infirmary

Simpson Building, 1st floor

(781) 283-2810

The Health Service serves students and includes both an outpatient clinic and a state-licensed hospital/infirmary. During clinic hours that are 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses provide primary medical and gynecologic care to all students. After clinic hours, the infirmary is staffed by registered nurses and on-call physicians. When indicated, consultation with specialists is available both locally and in Boston.

The Health Service can provide information on ongoing health-related needs and medical resources in the area. Newton-Wellesley and the Columbia Metro-West Hospitals are in close proximity to the campus and are used most frequently for the care of our students. Boston and its hospitals are approximately 15 miles from the College.

Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center

(781) 283-3500

The Lulu Wang Chow Campus Center has a manual wheelchair available for visitors.

Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center (PLTC)

Clapp Library, 3^rd floor

(781) 283-2092

The mission of the Learning and Teaching Center is twofold: to help students maximize their educational opportunities and realize their academic potential and to help faculty explore different methods of teaching and implement pedagogical innovations. Services are available to all students.

The PLTC’s tutoring services are beneficial to all students but may be of particular interest to students with learning and attention disabilities. Department Tutors are selected by faculty for their mastery of specific subject areas and their ability to communicate information clearly. Tutors are trained to assist students either individually or in small groups and are available on a drop in basis or by assignment. The Academic Peer Tutor (APT) Advisor program is a dorm and community based academic support program. APT Advisors are trained 1) to help individual students acquire effective study skills, 2) to provide study skills workshops, 3) to stimulate intellectual life on campus and 4) to refer students to other campus resources.

Power Doors

Clapp Library, 3^rd floor

(781) 283-2434 voice/tty

Fifteen of the buildings on Campus have power doors that can be operated by a portable, push button, control device that can be requested through Jim Wice, Director of Disability Services. Buildings with power doors include:

Bates Hall Beebe Hall Cazenove Hall Clapp Library

Collins Café Davis Museum Green Hall[5] Harambee House

Health Service[6] Jewett Hall Lulu Wang Campus Center Pendleton Hall

Pomeroy Hall Schneider Science Center Shafer Hall

Tower Court

Residence Halls

Clapp Library, 3^rd floor

(781) 283-2434 voice/tty

The residence halls have a variety of access features that are beneficial to students with physical disabilities. Five residence halls previously mentioned (Bates Hall, Beebe Hall, Cazenove Hall, Pomeroy Hall, and Shafer Hall) have power doors. The majority of residence hall laundry rooms have side loading washers and dryers that provide greater wheelchair accessibility. Some of the residence halls also have wheel-in showers (Beebe Hall, Claflin Hall, Freeman Hall, and Munger Hall).

Students with disability related needs for single room accommodations or adaptive equipment not listed may request this through their Disability Services’ Professional.

Shuttle Bus

Physical Plant

(781) 283-3433

Shuttle Bus information can be found online at http://www.wellesley.edu/Transportation/.

To request a lift-equipped bus, please contact Peter Eastment, Director of Housing and Transportation.

Stone Center Counseling Services

Stone Center, 2^nd floor

(781) 283-2839

Counseling Services is the clinical wing of the Stone Center. It provides students with confidential individual and group counseling and a wide variety of outreach programs. The scope of outreach activities range from small group discussions and workshops to major campus-wide events. Students with psychiatric and emotional disabilities are able here to request accommodations due to a disability related need.

The Stone Center Counseling Services staff can provide additional information on services they provide, local mental health resources, and referrals to off-campus professionals. Some of the support groups provided by Counseling Services staff include General Therapy Support and Eating Disorders Support Group.

III. Local and National Disability Access Resources

There are many useful resources in the Wellesley area and nationally. Massachusetts, in general, is recognized as being very progressive and a national leader in disability related programs and resources. Most recently, the State’s CommonHealth program was used as a national model and is now replicated in many other States allowing people with disabilities to work and maintain health benefits. The tables that follow identify some of the many local and national disability access resources.

Local and National Disability Access Resources
Resource	Organization/Contact Info	Details[7]
Accessible Parking	Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles http://www.mass.gov/rmv/medical/index.htm within (617) area code at (617) 351-4500 & outside the (617) area 1-800-858-3926	Each State has a Registry of Motor Vehicles that determines the eligibility criteria for granting accessible parking access. Generally, the criteria are based on an inability to walk 200 feet without resting. In Massachusetts residents with temporary or permanent disabilities can apply for either a plate or a placard.
Architectural Access	Massachusetts Architectural Access Board One Ashburton Place, Rm. 1310 Boston, MA 02108 (617) 727-0660 Http://www.state.ma.us/aab/aab_regs.htm	The Access Board’s website contains architectural access codes. Their staff is available to provide technical assistance. Both State and federal code must be reviewed when considering access.
	ADA Technical Center (800) 949-4232 voice/tty	The ADA Technical Center provides assistance regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act that contains federal architectural access codes.
Assistance—Client Assistance Program	Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) One Ashburton Place, #1305 Boston, MA 02108 (800) 322-2020 voice/tty http://www.state.ma.us/mod/	Information, Referral and Advocacy are available in areas such as: Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living, Accessible Housing, Transportation, Architectural and Communications Access, Education, Employment ADA and Civil Rights.
Assistive Technology	Massachusetts Assistive Technology Partnership 1295 Boylston Street, Suite 310, Boston, MA, 02215 (617) 355-7820 voice; (617) 355-7301 tty http://www.matp.org/	The MATP Center conducts statewide project activities, including needs assessment, public awareness, information and referral, training and technical assistance, funding and policy development, individual and systems advocacy, and project coordination.
	Abledata.com http://www.Abledata.com/	Clearinghouse website for assistive technology products and vendor information.
Communications with Individuals who are Deaf	MassRelay (800) 439-0183 voice (800) 439-2370 tty http://www.massrelay.org/	MassRelay is a 24/7 service enabling hearing people or people who do not use a text telephone (tty) to communicate over regular telephone lines with people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, late deafened, or speech disabled. A Relay Operator will complete your call, dialing the party you wish to contact and then stay on the line to relay messages electronically via a tty or verbally to people who can hear.
	Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) 150 Mount Vernon St., Suite 550 Boston, MA 02125 (800) 882 – 1155 voice (800) 530 – 7570 tty http://www.state.ma.us/mcdhh/	The Department of Interpreter Services maintains and coordinates a statewide interpreter referral service for deaf, late deafened and hard of hearing persons, and also referrals for Computer Aided Real-time Translation (CART) Services. The Commission was established to advocate for, provide and coordinate public policies, regulations and programs to provide full and equal opportunity for deaf, late deafened and hard of hearing people in Massachusetts.
Employment/ Accommodations Advice	Job Accommodation Network (JAN) (800) 526-7234 voice/tty http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/	JAN is an international, toll-free, consulting service that provides information about job accommodations and the employability of people with disabilities. JAN also provides information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
	The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Natick Area Office 251 West Central St., Suite 25 Natick, MA 01760 (508) 651-7531, (617) 727-6208 http://www.state.ma.us/mrc/	The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission specializes in disability and employment issues. (See the section on Vocational Rehabilitation for more details).
Health Resources	MassHealth 1-888-665-9993 voice 1-888-665-9997 tty http://www.state.ma.us/dma/	MassHealth pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people living in Massachusetts who are under age 65 and who are not living in nursing homes or other long-term-care facilities.
	CommonHealth (800) 841-2900 voice (800) 497-4648 tty http://www.state.ma.us/dma/ And search commonhealth	CommonHealth is a health plan for Massachusetts’ residents with disabilities and is part of MassHealth. You or your child may be eligible if you are: living in Massachusetts, less than 65 years old, and disabled.
Higher Education and Disability	Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) (617) 287-3880 voice/tty http://www.ahead.org/	AHEAD is an international, multicultural organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. The Association offers numerous training programs, workshops, publications, and conferences.
	HEATH Resource Center One Dupont Circle NW, Washington, DC