Student Accessibility Support

Important: During the Fall 2020 semester, Student Accessibility Support (SAS) will continue to work remotely. We are still meeting and providing support to students, staff, and faculty in a virtual format. For technology needs, we will be coming into our offices intermittently. To schedule a meeting with us, please call (781) 736-3470 or email us at access@brandeis.edu 

Students with disabilities make up an important part of our Brandeis community. Our diverse community includes students with a range of physical, sensory, psychological, medical and learning disabilities.

While appreciating the strengths and vulnerabilities of all students, Student Accessibility Support seeks to promote the growth of undergraduate and graduate students through individual connection with students, campus-wide initiatives and collaboration with others in the Brandeis community.

Requesting Accommodations

If you are a student with a disability, you will be able to access support and accommodations through Student Accessibility Support. Our team will make it easy for you to tap into the rich network of resources, advising, tutoring and programming that are available to all Brandeis students. Additionally, through meetings we will get to know who you are holistically and not solely by your disability.

A team of accessibility specialists oversee and protect students' legally mandated accommodations and, more importantly, will support you to:

• Take responsibility for your own academic career.
• Learn about yourself and your peers.
• Appreciate and explore your strengths.

Our fundamental goal is to empower you and to create opportunities for greater independence and self-advocacy.

Making the Most of the Brandeis Experience

To make the most of your strengths, your needs and the resources available through SAS, we recommend that you:

• Partner with SAS. Engage in a partnership with SAS staff members that is based on mutual responsibility and clear communication. Early, proactive discussions and use of strategies can reduce many causes of stress and difficulty.

• Communicate frequently with SAS. Maintain ongoing communication with the director, accessibility specialists, your faculty and other staff regarding your needs, growth and opportunities.

• Explore the shift to higher education. If you are a new undergraduate student, consider the shift from your previous schooling, where parents and/or teachers assumed responsibility for your disability, to your role as a young adult who is assuming responsibility for yourself. Explore this shift in a meeting with either the director or an accessibility specialist who can promote your making this critical transition.

• Consider previous accommodations. If you are a new student, consider the accommodations you previously received and what was most effective for you at your previous school.