Disability Services
What is Disability Services for Students?
Disability Services for Students is part of the Dean of Students Office. It was created to assist Rensselaer students with disabilities in gaining full access both to the academic programs and extracurricular activities offered on campus. Disabilities may be physical, psychological, neurological, or learning-related, such as dyslexia or attention deficit. Disability Services offers information, needs assessment, and a variety of services based on individual need. Please note that services must be requested by the student and supported by appropriate documentation.
Who can benefit?
Any member of the Rensselaer community, or prospective member, can request assistance or information.
- If you currently are a Rensselaer student with a permanent or temporary disability, you may find some the services described in the next sections helpful.
- If you are a prospective student thinking about applying to Rensselaer, we encourage you to contact us early to discuss your plans. You can be assured that your discussions will be kept confidential and separate from the admissions process.
- If you are a Rensselaer employee with a disability, assistance can be arranged through Human Resources. You may also request information about area resources at Disability Services for Students.
- If you are a member of the faculty or staff at Rensselaer and want to know how to assist a student or someone else you know with a disability, consult Information for Faculty or contact Disability Services for some useful suggestions.
Is Rensselaer's campus accessible?
While Rensselaer appears at first glance to be a somewhat difficult campus for persons with mobility limitations, in fact, significant progress has been achieved over the years and access can be assured for all programs of study. Most academic buildings are accessible, and through individualized scheduling we can ensure that your classroom locations are barrier-free and conveniently located. Additionally, several residence halls have been modified to provide a choice of living arrangements. Students with vision loss will find that most elevators have tactile markings. Parking spaces are reserved and marked for disabled drivers in campus parking areas. Individual campus tours focusing on access needs can be arranged at any time by contacting Disability Services for Students.
What is Rensselaer's Nondiscrimination Policy?
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits qualified students without regard to age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, marital status, or disability. In addition, Rensselaer assures students with disabilities of nondiscrimination and provides reasonable accommodations to ensure equal opportunity in its programs and services as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
To contact us:
Disability Services for Students
Dean of Students Office
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180-3590
Voice or TTY: (518) 276-2746
Fax: (518) 276-4839
Email: dss@rpi.edu