Belinda Guthrie - Director and Associate Dean of the College
Lynn Owen - Office Specialist
Disability and Support Services Student Handbook (1.08M PDF)
Vassar College, Box 164
124 Raymond Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0164
Telephone: (845) 437-7584
Fax: (845) 437-5715
TTY: (845) 437-7750
Vassar College is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities equal access and opportunity to academic courses, programs, and activities of the college. Our primary objective is to foster academic excellence, personal responsibility, and growth in students with disabilities. To this end, students in need of accommodations should self-identify themselves to Disability and Support Services and provide appropriate documentation of their disability or disabilities. A disability may be present before a student enters Vassar, or may develop or be diagnosed while attending college. Disabilities may include, but are not necessarily limited to, mobility impairments, visual and hearing impairments, chronic health conditions, orthopedic impairments, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, attention deficit disorder, psychiatric disabilities, and substance abuse/recovery.
After registering with the office, the director will work with the student and necessary faculty and administration to identify accommodations and services that are appropriate to the student's needs, academic program, and campus life experience. Students are expected to be actively involved in the accommodation process and assume responsibility for securing services and accommodations. The Office of Disability and Support Services also provides consultation regarding workplace accommodations for faculty and staff, and sponsors workshops and lectures to promote greater awareness and understanding of disability issues within our community. Students with temporary impairments should also contact the office to learn about available support services.
Please contact the Office of Disability and Support Services for more information. The office is located in Metcalf House on the first floor and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. during the academic year and by appointment during the summer.