Center for Student Accessibility

Assistive technology refers to tools and programs designed to help individuals with disabilities maintain or improve functions. Everyone can benefit from assistive technology.  

Examples of Assistive Technologies: 

Text-to-speech software that tracks and highlights text as the text is read aloud to those with cognitive disabilities 

Screen reading software that reads text on the computer screen to blind individuals 

Screen magnification software that enlarges text and images for low vision users 

Speech recognition software to assist individuals who have limited or no use of a keyboard or mouse when entering information into a computer 

Alternative mice and keyboards utilized by those with physical or motor impairments 

Personal FM system used by individuals who are hard of hearing.  

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Our services include assessments and demonstrations, access to educational software, and equipment loans.

Free and Low-Costs Assistive Technology 

Reading  

Built-in reading assistance in Microsoft Suite.  

Built-in reading assistance on Mac computers.  

Built-in reading assistance on Microsoft computers. 

HelperBird Pro 

Project Guttenberg 

Bookshare 

Reader Pens (limited availability; must be checked out from CSA).  

 

Additional Subscription Based Assistive Technology

Librivox   

 

Writing  

MindGenius  

?Lightkey 

 

Math  

Note-Taking 

Organization/Time Management  

Vision  

NVDA screen reader  

Jaws 

PowerTalk 

ZoomText 

Hearing  

 

 

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No, any Manhattanville University student is welcome to schedule an appointment to learn about assistive technology options.  

Visit the Virtual Assistive Technology Lab 

Make an appointment to work with someone from CSA in the Assistive Technology Lab.  

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We are constantly researching applications, software, and devices that can help benefit our student population..   Back to top

• Students should submit any prior assessments and evaluations conducted by a qualified professional. These assessments and/or evaluations should provide the name, title, and other credentials of the aforementioned professional. 

• Evaluations should include a diagnostic statement as well as be signed and dated. 

• Documentation should include a description of the diagnostic criteria, evaluation methods, procedures, tests and dates of administration, as well as a clinical narrative, observation, and specific results. 

• Documentation should provide information on how the disability or disabilities currently limit one or more major life activities. 

• Recommendations of the qualified professional provider will be considered as part of the comprehensive intake process; however, these recommendations do not guarantee the granting of requested accommodations. 

• Prior accommodations, such as from high school or another University setting, help determine appropriate accommodations, but do not guarantee the same accommodations being granted. As such, Individualized Education Programs and/or 504 Plans may or may not provide sufficient information to determine reasonable accommodations, dependent upon their contents. 

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Registering with Our Office
Manhattanville University's Center for Student Accessibility works to provide reasonable accommodations and support services to students with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Amendments Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Below, please find how you can request services and reasonable accommodations.

To request accommodations, please refer to the following procedure:

1. Log in to the Health and Accommodations Portal using your Manhattanville University username and password.  

2. Hover the “Accommodations” tab in the top-bar and then select “Application” from the drop down menu. 

3. Proceed to complete the application as listed on Page 1. 

4. Upload any supporting documentation that you have on Page 2 (please note – you can submit the application without uploading documentation, but it will be incomplete until you either upload it at a later time, or deliver it to a Center for Student Accessibility staff member). 

5. Fill out the Valiant Learning Support Program and Pathways and Connections Program Application on Page 3. 

6. Submit your application. 

7. Schedule an intake interview with a staff member at CSA by calling 914.323.7127 or emailing joseph.gaines@mville.edu. Please note that your application is incomplete until this intake interview is completed. 

Please do not delay your meeting or your application for accommodations out of concern for not having documentation readily available. It can be submitted at a later date for review while a CSA staff works with you on temporary or provisional accommodations. 

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Manhattanville University provides housing accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1978, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 to ensure equal access to programs, activities, and facilities. While ADA requires that student requests are considered, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is not deemed reasonable, or if other appropriate options are available. Only students with documented disabilities are eligible for consideration for housing accommodations.

The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Students wishing to apply for medical housing accommodation(s) must be registered with the Center for Student Accessibility (CSA). An intake interview must be conducted prior to submitting your housing accommodations application; the committee will not review your application until you have completed the interactive intake process with CSA.

Medical Housing Applications will be evaluated by a committee comprised of members of the University’s professional staff. Each application is provided individualized consideration. Students must submit an ‘authorization for release of information’ form which will permit the application information to be reviewed and discussed by the aforementioned committee members. Submission of a Medical Housing Application, supporting documentation, and a diagnosis from a physician/licensed mental health professional does not guarantee approval of requested accommodations.

This application must be completed by a qualified, licensed medical practitioner, and approval is dependent upon the nature and the severity of the disability. The diagnostician completing this application must be an impartial individual who is not socially acquainted (family, friend, etc.) with the student. The provider must be licensed to practice in the field related to the reason for the request (i.e.: medical needs can only be recommended by a physician and/or medical specialist and psychological needs can only be recommended by a licensed mental health professional).

The application for a Medical Housing Accommodation can be found on the Student Health Portal upon request. Please navigate to the Accommodations Application to complete the accommodations application and have the Medical Housing Accommodation Application released to you on the portal.

Please note that you will also need to schedule an intake interview and complete the online application to register with the Center for Student Accessibility. 

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The Testing Center

• The Testing Center is located in the Library Room 134 and is open Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM.
• The Testing Center provides a separate location for students who are registered with the Center for Student Accessibility and receive testing accommodations.
• CSA asks students who are planning on taking an exam at the Testing Center to fill out a Test Request Form (there is a link "To Schedule a Test" at the top of this page) at least three days prior to the date of the exam. This ensures that our staff have adequate time to contact your professor and receive the exam promptly. If you require additional accommodations for your exam, please let us know at the time of scheduling so that we can confirm that we have a staff member or equipment available for you.

Exam Information, Scheduling Conflicts, and Adjustments to Exam Scheduling

• If you wish to take an exam in the Testing Center but you have a scheduling conflict due to extended time granted for the exam, please speak with a staff member at the Center for Student Accessibility and we will work with you and your professor to find an alternate time for you to take your exam.
• If your exam is being given in class earlier than 8:00am, the start time will be no earlier than 8:00am as that is when the Testing Center opens. Similarly, if your class starts later than 3:00pm, the start time of your exam will be no later than 3:00pm, as the Testing Center closes at 5:00pm.
• If you have any questions regarding testing, please email testing@mville.edu or call 914.323.7127 to receive clarification. 

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Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Any student who believes that reasonable accommodations have been denied should first contact the Director of the Center for Student Accessibility who will attempt to resolve the situation expeditiously. If a resolution cannot be reached, please view the Grievance Procedure (ADA Grievance Procedure Manhattanville.pdf). 

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Accessible course materials benefit many learners. Course materials that are accessible/compatible with screen readers, for example, can of course benefit students with visual impairments, students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities as well. In addition, student athletes traveling can also benefit from being able to have course materials read aloud while they are on a bus ride to or from a game. Generally, students that are auditory learners and English Language Learners can all benefit from this as well.

Your support in working to make course materials more accessible helps us to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

To further accommodate your course materials for all learners, including those with disabilities, please review the Faculty Resource and Tips Guide. In it, you will find some helpful tips on how to best make your course resources accessible for all learners.

Please consider including the suggested syllabus statement below from the Center for Student Accessibility.

Suggested Syllabus Statement

Manhattanville is committed to creating a learning environment that is equally accessible and participatory for all students. Students facing accessibility barriers who are seeking accommodations must register with the Center for Student Accessibility (CSA) in order to engage in the intake process. Students choosing to use their approved accommodations must renew their letter every semester with CSA. In addition, students are responsible for providing their professors with their approved accommodation letters and discussing their needs. For more information, please contact the Center for Student Accessibility:

Joseph Gaines, Director
Library Room 134
914.323.7129/7127
Joseph.Gaines@mville.edu

Please note that the Center for Student Accessibility will be available for contact from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Monday through Friday, either by email, phone, or Microsoft Teams.

Tutorials
The Center for Student Accessibility has created some tutorials to help faculty with creating and providing access to accessible course materials. Please see our Faculty Accessible Resource Guide, as well as our Blackboard Ally Tutorial. We hope these are of assistance when creating and uploading your materials.

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The Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship aims to help make quality undergraduate and graduate education affordable for financially needy U.S. residents who are legally blind.

Eligible candidates must:

• be legally blind or severely visually impaired (as determined by a functional vision assessment).
• be a legal resident of the United States.
• demonstrate financial need as defined by the student’s FAFSA data.
• be enrolled full-time toward a degree or valid professional certificate at one of 12 participating colleges and universities.
• be in academic good standing, not on probation or suspended.

For further information, contact Kate Morris, Lavelle-Brother Kearney Scholarship Program Coordinator at Kmorris@lavellefund.org.

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