Most Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How many students with disabilities attend the Newark Campus?

Answer: Annually the Office for Disability Services (ODS) registers between 200-300 students with disabilities.


Question: Are all students with disabilities registered with ODS?

Answer: No, it is likely that many students with disabilities have chosen not to be registered with ODS or they may not have met the eligibility criteria for services. Faculty do not need to provide accommodations to students who are not registered or those who do not meet the service criteria.


Question: What is the most frequently reported disability?

Answer: Learning disabilities are the most reported disability, usually close to 50%, followed by mobility or orthopedic impairments at approximately 15 – 20%, students with mental illness or emotional disturbance are about the same percentage. Hearing and visual impairments, speech or language impairments, and disease related disabilities make up the remainder of our population.


Question: A student in my class has asked for accommodations. How do I know the student truly has a disability and needs accommodations?

Answer: You may ask the student to show you with an Authorized Accommodation form from ODS which verifies a disability. The Office for Disability Services has the responsibility to verify the presence and extent of a disability and to negotiate accommodations in accordance with ADA and Section 504. Faculty do not have to take that responsibility.


Question: Am I required to lower the standards of a required assignment because the student has a disability?

Answer: No, the standards should be the same for all students; however, some students with disabilities may exhibit their knowledge differently from their peers. Usually a discussion with the student will clarify any accommodation, and ODS staff are always available for consultation.