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Disability Resources

Bridgewater State University is committed to ensuring all individuals equal access to its programs and services. Bridgewater offers a number of services to students who have a documented medical condition, are physically challenged, or have psychological or learning disabilities. To request support services contact the Office of Disability Resources in the Academic Achievement Center, Maxwell Library, 508.531.2194, TTY 508.531.6113, or FAX 508.531.5713. Appropriate documentation to support the disability must be provided. The staff works with each individual to evaluate their needs, determine resource availability, and assist in coordinating accommodations.

Tips for Accessing Services

1. Following admission, arrange to have current documentation of your disability forwarded to the Office of Disability Resources by a high school counselor, therapist, physician, or other service provider. Documentation must provide a diagnosis and must relate to the specific area, services or program modifications requested and must be completed by a qualified professional with experience working with college-age populations. IEP and 504 plans are not sufficient documentation for accommodation.

2. Following registration, make an appointment with disabilities resources to discuss the disability and plan in advance for the support services anticipated needing at the start of the semester.

3. Individuals with a learning disability should see the Learning Disability Specialist during the first week of classes.

4. For individuals who are clients of governmental units (i.e. Massachusetts Rehabilitation), or private charitable organizations (i.e. March of Dimes), are expected to exercise initiative in identifying and obtaining auxiliary aids and assistance through every reasonable channel.

The Office of Disability Resources offers support in many areas, including:

Deaf and hard of hearing

  • Note-taking

  • Assistance obtaining interpreters

  • Adaptive computing

  • TTY access

  • Peer tutors

  • Short-term loan of assistive hearing device

 Learning disabilities

  • Extended time on exams (when appropriate)

  • Note-taking

  • Taping and reader assistance

  • Possible alternative testing formats

  • Adaptive computing

  • Mathematics services, study and research, and Writing Studio

  • Peer tutors

 Medical conditions

  • Accommodations made on an individual basis

  • Priority registration if rigid schedule must be kept

  • Medical support through Health Services.

 Mobility-dexterity challenged

  • Program accessibility

  • Campus orientation

  • Priority registration

  • Adaptive computing

  • Note-taking and scribes

  • Accessible campus transportation

 Psychological disabilities

  • Accommodations made on an individual basis

  • Individualized counseling services through the Counseling Center

Visually challenged

  • Taping and reader assistance

  • Alternative format materials

  • Adaptive computing

  • Loan of tape recorder

  • Note-taking and scribes

  • Peer tutors

 Disability Resources' philosophy is to encourage and assist students to:

  • Know their personal responsibilities

  • Become self-advocates

  • Become independent learners

  • Benefit from an array of experiences within the university

Support Services

 

Academic Achievement Center

Alicia D'Oyley, Director

Maxwell Library, Room 001

508.531.1214

 

Assistant Director for Disability Resources

Patricia S. Connolly

Maxwell Library, Room 001

508.531.2194

TTY 508.531.6113

 

Learning Disability Specialist

Pamela Spillane

Maxwell Library, Room 001

508.531.2194

TTY 508.531.6113

 

Counseling Services

Philip Roberts, Clinical Director

Counseling Center, Tillinghast Hall, Room 024C

508.531.1331

TTY 508.531.6116

 

Medical Support Services

Dr. Mary Lou Frias, Senior Director

Health Services and Counseling Center

Tillinghast Hall, Room 002

508.531.1252

TTY 508.531.6116

 

Admission Liaison

Maryellen Harvey

Office of Admission, Gates House

508.531.1237

TTY 508.531.1357

 

Speech and Hearing Clinic

Professor Joanne Abdallah, Clinic Coordinator

Hart Hall, Room 127

508.531.1720

 

Assistant to the President

Dr. Alan V. Comedy

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disability Compliance

508.531.1241

Last Modified: April 2, 2013