How does ODS work?

Students who anticipate needing any type of disability-related classroom, test or other accommodations are required to first register with ODS. Although first-years and newly admitted transfers typically register upon entering Barnard, students with disabilities may register at any time during their college careers. All students must have appropriate disability documentation on file in ODS which is both comprehensive and timely. LD and ADD students should refer to the specific guidelines included in the publication Documentation of a Learning Disability, which may also be found on our website at www.barnard.edu/ods (see manual and forms).

ODS seeks to empower rather than rescue students with disabilities. All accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis and are discussed and reviewed at the beginning of each semester - with decision-making a three-way process involving ODS, the student and her faculty member/s. Whenever possible, it is our goal to assist students in fading accommodations over time so as to prepare them to be as independent as possible as they move on beyond Barnard - to graduate school and the world of work.