Barnard College

In 1978, Barnard established a program to provide services for students with disabilities which enhance their educational, pre-professional, and personal development. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) serves students with mobility, visual, and hearing impairments, as well as students with invisible disabilities, such as learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD, chronic medical conditions, psychiatric disabilities, and substance abuse/recovery. ODS works with other administrators and members of the faculty to assist students with disabilities in participating in college activities, securing financial aid, scheduling classes and examinations, and planning careers. Mobility aides, readers, notetakers, and other volunteer/paid aides are available through the ODS Accommodative Aide Program.

The buildings on the contiguous campus interconnect and are wheelchair accessible. Maps of the campus showing special features and access routes are available at ODS, as are access maps for both Columbia University and Teachers College. ODS maintains a comprehensive webpage at www.barnard.edu/ods, which includes a monthly newsletter, notices of programs and events, and a special link to university access updates. Students are encouraged to register with ODS at any time during their college careers, presenting appropriate and current disability-related documentation (see website for further information).

Our aim is to provide support services to students, faculty and staff which encourage Barnard students with disabilities to become self-sufficient in managing their own accommodations.