Students with disabilities in Central New York have access to a variety of accommodations and modifications to help them succeed in their educational pursuits. These include adjustments to the environment, such as lighting, noise level, and physical layout, as well as features that can help individual students with disabilities access exam materials in an online assessment environment. In New York State tests, these functions include response masking, reverse contrast, and text-to-speech. The use of these adaptation features must be specified in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and activated by the school's test coordinator before the first day of the test.
The New York State Alternative Assessment (NYSAA) is available to all eligible students in grades 3 through 8 and high school. The IEP must specify that the student is eligible for alternative evaluations. Adaptations are changes that help the student overcome their disability or solve it. An example of an adaptation is allowing a student who has difficulty writing to give their answers orally.
This student is expected to know the same material and answer the same questions with the same depth as other students, but they don't have to write down their answers to show that they know the information. Program adaptations and modifications are available to children receiving services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Central Office of Disability Programs in Student Affairs at CUNY organizes an annual neurodiversity conference every spring. The determination of a student's eligibility for this adaptation to the exam must be made and reviewed annually by the student's CSE or Section 504 Committee on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the student's unique educational needs.
It is not necessary to obtain prior permission from the State Department of Education to authorize these test accommodations for general education students. Accommodations are determined by the professional staff of the disability services office, in consultation with course instructors and other appropriate campus officials. If you have any questions about test accommodations, contact the Special Education Policy Unit of the New York State Department of Education at 518-473-2878 or the Regional Office of Quality Assurance in Special Education (SEQA). CUNY is committed to providing equal access and opportunities for students with disabilities through innovative support programs based on nationally recognized best practices in post-secondary disability services.
Students accepted to CUNY Unlimited on a campus designated as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP) approved by the United States Department of Education can obtain a CUNY Unlimited credential in academic and professional studies. This allows them to take advantage of their university experience by participating in classes with their peers, developing employment skills through internships, learning to advocate for themselves, and immersing themselves in all activities offered by a university campus. One of the most powerful types of support available to children with disabilities are other types of supports or services (other than special education and related services) that a child needs to be educated with non-disabled children as appropriate. These services are recommended for students with disabilities who need special education during the summer to avoid substantial regression.
IDEA Section (61) (a) (1) also requires states (or local education agencies for district-wide evaluations) to develop guidelines to provide appropriate accommodations for testing and use universal design principles when developing and managing evaluations. Accommodations such as listening comprehension can allow students to meaningfully participate and progress in grade-level activities and evaluations that involve text. Because physical education is unique, there are also unique accommodations that can be provided so that students with disabilities can participate in physical education evaluations. Teachers, parents, and students can provide important information about educational accommodations that a student needs to access and participate in the general education curriculum.
