Frequently Asked Questions By Students
What are the documentation requirements for obtaining services from the Moses Center?
Students who qualify for services must have a documented disability that substantially limits a major life activity. To register for services with the Moses Center, a student must provide current documentation. An evaluation must include a specific diagnosis and must be conducted by a qualified licensed professional. Documentation must describe the nature and severity of the current impairment, must include information about functional limitations caused by the impairment, and the current treatment plan with recommended accommodations.
Different disabilities require different forms of documentation. Please refer to our forms page for a list of documentation guidelines sorted by disability and our Certification of Disability form.
Does the Moses Center provide testing for learning disabilities or ADD/ADHD?
The Moses Center does not provide testing for any type of disability. We will, however, provide a list of testing centers in the New York City area that perform psycho-educational assessments.
Does the Moses Center assist students with temporary impairments?
Yes. Students with temporary disabilities must follow the same registration and documentation procedures as all other registered students. When appropriate, accommodations are approved on a temporary basis.
How do students request disability-related housing accommodations?
The Reasonable Housing Accommodations Review Committee meets bi-monthly to consider student housing accommodation requests. The Committee is comprised of professionals from the Offices of Housing and Residential Life, The Student Health Center, and the Center for Students with Disabilities.
Students requesting special housing accommodations must complete the Reasonable Housing Accommodation Request packet which includes a form to be completed by a healthcare provider. The completed packet must be submitted to the committee by the appropriate annual/semester deadlines to ensure timely evaluation of housing requests. Late requests may result in an inability to meet you housing accommodations needs. Students must renew their requests for special housing accommodations in conjunction with every housing application period.
The packet is available at CSD (715 Broadway, 2nd fl) The completed packet, including disability documentation, should be submitted to the following address: Attn: Special Accommodations Evaluation Committee, Moses Center for Students with Disabilities, 719 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York University, New York, NY 10003. Information submitted for the committee’s determination will be protected as a confidential file in the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities.
Are there New York University scholarships available for students with disabilities?
The Moses Center annually awards a limited number tuition awards, made possible by grant funding, to registered students with disabilities. Awards are administered in conjunction with the Office of Financial Aid and are based on applicants’ financial need, severity of disability, and academic qualifications. Applications are available at the Moses Center beginning in June.
How do I obtain a copy of disability documentation from my Moses Center file?
Students who need to have a copy of their disability documentation forwarded to another party must complete a signed release. The release form is available in the CSD office at can be found at 719 Broadway, 2nd Floor.
How can the Moses Center help me to obtain test accommodations for professional or certification exams?
Agencies administering professional exams (i.e. GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT) or certification exams (i.e. NTE, CSW, Bar exam) typically require individuals seeking disability related accommodations to submit current documentation of disability and/or a test packet form completed by the postsecondary institution’s Center for Students with Disabilities. The Moses Center must verify that the documentation of disability on file is current and complete and that the individual has used the requested accommodations while in attendance. Individuals seeking test accommodations approval for such an exam should contact the Moses Center with the appropriate test information and forms.
How do I request accommodations for participation in a New York University Study Abroad Program?
Students who plan to attend a NYU Study Abroad Program and seek academic or housing accommodations at a particular site should contact the Moses Center to request accommodations. Students must be registered with the Moses Center to request accommodations, whether they are NYU students or students from another institution. The Moses Center will work with the student and the Study Abroad Program to arrange approved accommodations. Students with disabilities planning to study abroad are strongly urged to obtain information in advance regarding the specific site’s programs and facilities and to arrange a meeting with a Moses representative to discuss potential barriers.
Some accommodations may be limited in Study Abroad sites; students are urged to discuss their needs with a disability specialist before accepting a placement in a global program of any duration.
Is there a special application process for students with disabilities applying to New York University?
There is no special application process for students with disabilities applying to NYU, although a student may voluntarily disclose their disability during the admissions process. Please understand that your disability has no impact on the admissions
Frequently Asked Questions By Faculty
I have received a letter from CSD listing accommodations for a student. How do I know that the student’s request for accommodations is warranted?
Federal Law requires reasonable accommodations for students who have a documented disability. In order for a student to be granted accommodations, s/he must submit documentation of a condition which significantly impacts the students’ ability to participate in the educational opportunities at NYU. Coordinators with expertise in the area of the stated disability review the documentation and decide on appropriate accommodations. The documentation on file at the Moses Center is kept current and reviewed periodically with the student to determine appropriate and effective accommodations. You can call the Moses Center (212-998-4980) if you have any questions about the appropriateness of the student’s accommodation request.
What if a student requests an accommodation which I feel is not appropriate for my course?
If you have a question about a particular accommodation, please call the student’s specialist to discuss your concern. The specialist’s knowledge of the student’s disability related needs and your input about your course requirements will be the foundation for the specialist to make the appropriate decision regarding the accommodation.
What should I do if I suspect that a student may have a disability and might be eligible for accommodations through the Moses Center?
Disclosure of disability is a sensitive issue for many students. If the student discloses information to you which seems to indicate that a disability might be present, or if the student seems to be having difficulty with coursework or access to university facilities which is related to a more obvious disability, you can encourage the student to contact the Moses Center. The request for accommodations, though, must come from the student. You may consider including a statement on your syllabus about the Moses Center. A sample syllabus statement is below:
Academic accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities. Please contact the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities at 212-998-4980 for further information.
What if I still have questions regarding disability accommodations?
Please feel free to call the Moses Center office at any time at 212-998-4980 with questions or concerns regarding students with disabilities at NYU.