Empowering Inclusion: Emory University’s Comprehensive Accessibility Services

Emory University, a beacon of academic excellence and intellectual inquiry, is profoundly committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all its students. At the heart of this commitment lies Emory’s Accessibility Services (AS) office, a vital resource dedicated to ensuring that students with disabilities have full and equal access to the university’s programs, activities, and services. Far beyond mere compliance, Emory’s approach to accessibility is rooted in a philosophy of empowerment, recognizing that diverse perspectives and abilities enrich the entire campus community.

Navigating higher education with a disability can present unique challenges, but at Emory, students are met with a robust support system designed to remove barriers and cultivate an environment where every individual can thrive. The Accessibility Services office acts as a central hub, providing individualized accommodations, advocacy, and guidance, enabling students to engage fully in their academic pursuits and campus life.

The Philosophy of Inclusive Access

Emory’s commitment to accessibility is not simply about meeting legal mandates; it’s an integral part of its mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university understands that a disability is a characteristic of diversity, and that providing accommodations is essential for creating a level playing field. The AS office operates on the principle of the "interactive process," working collaboratively with each student to understand their unique needs, review appropriate documentation, and develop a personalized accommodation plan. This student-centered approach emphasizes self-advocacy while providing the necessary support to navigate university policies and resources effectively. The goal is to shift the focus from limitations to abilities, empowering students to harness their strengths and achieve their academic and personal goals without unnecessary obstacles.

A Spectrum of Support: Key Services and Accommodations

Emory’s Accessibility Services offers a wide array of accommodations and support services tailored to meet the diverse needs of students with various types of disabilities, including physical, sensory, learning, psychological, medical, and temporary disabilities.

1. Academic Accommodations:

   • Extended Time on Exams and Quizzes: One of the most common accommodations, allowing students with processing disorders, ADHD, or certain medical conditions sufficient time to complete assessments without undue pressure.
   • Reduced Distraction Testing Environment: Providing a quiet, separate space for exams, minimizing external stimuli that can be particularly disruptive for students with ADHD, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities.
   • Alternative Format Materials: Converting textbooks, handouts, and other course materials into accessible formats such as large print, Braille, audio, or accessible PDFs for students with visual impairments or certain learning disabilities.
   • Note-Taking Support: Offering various solutions, including peer note-takers, access to smart pens, digital recorders, or instructor-provided notes, to ensure students can capture essential lecture information.
   • Sign Language Interpreters and Captioning Services: For students who are deaf or hard of hearing, AS coordinates qualified ASL interpreters for classes, meetings, and university events, and provides real-time captioning (CART) services when appropriate.
   • Flexibility with Attendance and Deadlines (Reasonable Modifications): In cases where a student’s disability may cause episodic flare-ups or unpredictable health events, AS can facilitate reasonable adjustments to attendance policies or assignment deadlines, in consultation with faculty, to prevent penalization for disability-related absences.

2. Assistive Technology (AT) Support:
   Emory recognizes the transformative power of technology in bridging accessibility gaps. The AS office provides access to and training on a variety of assistive technologies:

   • Screen Readers: Software like JAWS (Job Access With Speech) or NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) for students with visual impairments to navigate computer interfaces and read digital text aloud.
   • Screen Magnifiers: Programs like ZoomText or Fusion that enlarge on-screen content for low-vision users.
   • Speech-to-Text Software: Tools such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking that allow students to dictate assignments and control their computers by voice, beneficial for those with physical limitations or certain learning disabilities.
   • Read & Write Gold: A comprehensive literacy support tool that offers text-to-speech, word prediction, dictionary, and study skills features.
   • Smart Pens: Devices like Livescribe pens that synchronize audio recordings with written notes, allowing students to tap on a specific part of their notes to hear what was being said at that moment in the lecture.
   • Ergonomic Equipment: Providing specialized chairs, desks, keyboards, or mice to accommodate physical needs and prevent discomfort or injury.

3. Housing and Dining Accommodations:

   • Accessible Residence Hall Rooms: Coordinating with Residential Life to provide rooms that meet specific physical accessibility needs, such as roll-in showers, grab bars, or visual fire alarms.
   • Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals: Facilitating the process for students to have approved service animals or emotional support animals in university housing, in compliance with federal regulations and university policy.
   • Dietary Accommodations: Working closely with Emory Dining Services to ensure students with food allergies, intolerances, or other medically necessary dietary restrictions have access to safe and appropriate meal options.

4. Campus Accessibility and Transportation:

   • Accessible Routes: Collaborating with Facilities Management to identify and address physical barriers on campus, ensuring accessible pathways, ramps, and building entrances.
   • Accessible Transportation: Coordinating with Emory’s shuttle system (Cliff) to ensure accessible vehicles are available and to assist students with specific transportation needs on campus.
   • Parking Accommodations: Assisting students in obtaining accessible parking permits when medically necessary.

5. Temporary Disabilities:
   Emory’s AS office also supports students experiencing temporary disabilities due to injury, illness, or surgery (e.g., broken bones, concussions, post-surgical recovery). While often short-term, these situations can significantly impact a student’s ability to participate in academic life, and AS provides appropriate temporary accommodations to bridge these gaps.

6. Mental Health Accommodations:
   Recognizing the growing prevalence of mental health challenges among students, AS collaborates closely with Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to provide academic accommodations for students whose mental health conditions significantly impact their learning. This might include flexibility with attendance, extensions on assignments, or a reduced course load, all tailored to support the student’s well-being and academic success.

The Registration Process: A Collaborative Journey

For students seeking accommodations, the process with Emory’s Accessibility Services is designed to be straightforward and collaborative:

1. Initial Contact: Students typically begin by visiting the AS website or contacting the office directly to express their interest in services.
2. Application and Intake: Students complete an online application form that provides preliminary information about their disability and requested accommodations.
3. Documentation Submission: Students are required to submit recent and comprehensive documentation from a qualified professional (e.g., physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, audiologist) that clearly outlines the diagnosis, functional limitations, and recommended accommodations.
4. Interactive Meeting: Once documentation is received and reviewed, an AS specialist meets with the student to discuss their experiences, specific needs, and how their disability impacts them in the academic environment. This is a crucial step for establishing a personalized understanding.
5. Accommodation Plan Development: Based on the documentation and the interactive process, the AS specialist develops an individualized Accommodation Plan (IAP). This document outlines the approved accommodations and the responsibilities of both the student and the university.
6. Implementation and Communication: Students are then responsible for communicating their accommodations to their faculty, typically through an official letter generated by AS. The AS office remains available for consultation, troubleshooting, and ongoing support throughout the student’s time at Emory.

Confidentiality is paramount throughout this process, ensuring that sensitive information is handled with the utmost discretion and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

Beyond Accommodations: Cultivating an Accessible Culture

Emory’s commitment to accessibility extends beyond the provision of direct services. The AS office actively engages in campus-wide initiatives to foster a more inclusive culture:

• Faculty Training and Consultation: AS regularly provides workshops and resources for faculty members to educate them on best practices for inclusive teaching, universal design principles, and how to effectively implement accommodations in their classrooms.
• Collaboration with Campus Departments: AS works closely with various university departments—including Residential Life, Dining, Information Technology, Campus Life, and Facilities Management—to ensure that accessibility is integrated into all aspects of campus operations and planning.
• Advocacy and Awareness: The office participates in university-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives, raising awareness about disability issues and promoting an environment where all students feel valued and respected.
• Promoting Self-Advocacy: While providing robust support, AS also empowers students to develop strong self-advocacy skills, encouraging them to communicate their needs effectively and take an active role in managing their accommodations.

Impact and Empowerment

The impact of Emory’s Accessibility Services on its students is profound. By leveling the playing field, AS enables students with disabilities to:

• Fully access the curriculum: Engage with course material and demonstrate their knowledge without unnecessary barriers.
• Participate in campus life: Join student organizations, attend events, and build connections within the Emory community.
• Develop independence and self-advocacy: Learn to navigate challenges and communicate their needs effectively, skills that are invaluable beyond their time at university.
• Focus on learning: Shift their energy from overcoming systemic barriers to engaging deeply with their studies and pursuing their passions.

In essence, Emory University’s Accessibility Services is not just a department; it is a testament to the institution’s deeply held belief that a truly excellent education is one that is accessible to all. Through individualized support, proactive outreach, and a campus-wide commitment to inclusion, Emory ensures that students with disabilities are not just accommodated, but genuinely empowered to thrive, contribute, and achieve their full potential within its vibrant academic community. It stands as a powerful example of how a leading university can champion equity and build a more accessible future for higher education.