Director: Dr. Mirian Detres-Hickey
Office: 171 Kiely Hall
Telephone: 718-997-5870
Fax: 718-997-5895
Email: QC_SPSV@qc.cuny.edu

Mission Statement

The Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities is dedicated to providing supportive services for all students with disabilities through ensuring accessibility to all academic and social activities and to teach self-advocacy for their success at Queens College and leadership roles in society.

Introduction

Queens College has a history of commitment to the enhancement of education of students with disabilities. The Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities was established in 1974 to provide equal opportunities for a college education to academically qualified students with physical disabilities. The office currently offers comprehensive support services to students with various disabilities. Queens College prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities and it ensures full access and equal opportunity to qualified students with disabilities to all academic programs and social activities on the campus.

The focus of OSS is not only to provide the support services that allow students to compete on an equal level with their classmates, but also to teach them to self-advocate for their personal growth in the independent living skills necessary for their success at Queens College and in their personal lives. OSS provides appropriate support services to eligible students, including registration assistance, equipment and device loans, reader/writer/attendant care referrals, interpreters, counseling, books on tape, test administration, and liaison with counselors. OSS also provides Assistive Technology services. Kiely Hall suite 173 houses a state of the art technology lab for students with disabilities, focusing on the visually impaired. To receive these services, a student must first register with the office located in Kiely 171. In order to do so, you must bring proper documentation pertaining to the nature of your disability from a qualified professional. To learn more about CUNY Assistive Technology Services and the office located at Queens College, call (718) 997-3775 or visit 173 Kiely Hall.

Although all students at Queens College are required to meet the same admissions criteria, Queens College is sensitive to students’ individual backgrounds and their individual needs. In order to help some students, Queens College may require supplementary information to enhance the applicant’s record. If a student has special needs for educational activities, that student should visit OSS for an assessment and arrange the setup for the help needed. An interview with an admissions counselor provides students with the opportunity to discuss their academic credentials, and in a meeting with a member of the OSS staff, students can ensure that support services available at Queens College will be appropriate for any disabilities they may have. Queens College encourages students with disabilities to visit OSS as often as needed to receive assistance. The Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities is happy to help with these arrangements and other matters of concern. After just a few meetings, students will become well acquainted with their OSS staff and will develop a personal supportive academic plan that will ensure the students success. Please contact one of our dedicated staff members to receive further information on documentation guidelines. The OSS intake office is presently located in Kiely Hall, suite 171.