Students with Disabilities

Greene Center Services and Accommodations

• More than one way to interact with a career advisor – in-person appointments and drop-ins, phone/Zoom appointments, and on-campus programming and events.
• Ever-evolving waiting room and collaboration spaces – over the past three years, we have made several improvements to our physical space that allow for more access and utilization for students to use for their own needs, and we are never fully done!
• Online appointment scheduling – through Handshake, students can login and create their own appointments with an advisor of their choosing for their specific needs without ever having to interact with a staff member to complete this process.
• In-person and virtual programs and events – check out Handshake for all offerings facilitated by the Greene Center, as well as other campus-partner, employer, and alumni sponsored events!
• Our new website, where you can browse content and also sign up for email alerts and digests of content most relevant to YOU.

We realize that every student is unique and may have specific needs that have not been addressed yet. Thus, at any time if you are seeking disability-related accommodations for any of our services, programs or offerings or have any questions, please contact Christina Pero or Debbie Baker.

Accessing our office

See the map – our office is highlighted with an arrow! You can enter from the ground floor (there is a fully-accessible entrance next to Dewey Lot), from the 2nd floor of the Eastman quad (there is a ramp to this entrance), or from the tunnel system. Take either the elevator or stairs to the fourth floor, then proceed left around the bend and go through the double-doors to enter our space. There is an all-access bathroom as well as a drinking fountain available, and anyone can use the coat-rack or cubby system while utilizing our space. All of our offices are wheelchair accessible.

In addition, all of our services and some of our programs and events can be accessed virtually! Virtual appointments can be scheduled online through Handshake, and our event listings will all indicate if the program is in-person only, hybrid, or virtual. Should you wish to request accommodations for a program or service, please connect with David Cota-Buckhout, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Career Support.

What to Expect from Employers

Here are some general employer responsibilities you should be aware of within the internship and job application and interview processes:

• Focusing on your qualifications, not your disability – employers should focus on you as a candidate and what you provide in your application, so make sure that you provide enough detail in your application for your story to stand out!
• Getting information needed from you to determine whether you are qualified – make sure you understand the requirements and work environment related to the job; if you have questions or concerns, think about ways to ask the recruiter for this information for clarity without needing to disclose your disability, or reach out to disability advocates who are knowledgeable and certified in providing legal advice and support.
• Basing their hiring decisions on skills, qualifications, and experience – unless there are specific tasks for the job or internship that you may have difficulty completing, there should be NO reason for an employer to base their decisions on anything but what you provide in your story and your application.

Employment Accommodations and Disclosing a Disability

Knowing if, how and when to disclose a disability to an employer can be freeing or daunting. Asking for workplace accommodations could be uplifting or stressful. We understand this, and finding the best resources to navigate these issues is important. One credible source is the Job Accommodation Network – they can provide you with a complete list of disability-related information regarding accommodation ideas, ADA information, and resources per disability type. Note that this is a starting point in examining accommodations and may not address every situation; accommodations should always be made on a case-by-case basis with the employer and employee working together regarding limitations and accommodation needs.

Additional Resources for Continued Guidance

U.S. Department of Labor – The U.S. Department of Labor has several resources on their website pertaining to people with disabilities, specifically from their Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), including:

• • Disclosing a disability
  • Accommodations

Job Accommodations Network (JAN) – In addition to job accommodation ideas and information, the Job Accommodations Network is also helpful with other topics. Their staff are more than willing to work with you to research and identify resources that are not currently on their site to better address issues and concerns related to people with disabilities:

• • • Disclosing a disability
    • Guidelines during the pre-employment process
    • Sample accommodation form letter

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – The EEOC can provide information about job applicants and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• • • • Information about reasonable accommodations – discussing disability with an employer, questions that cannot be asked by an employer, and being “qualified

STEPS: Scholarships & Resources for Students with Disabilities – Find funding, advocacy organizations, networking opportunities, and other support that make paying for and getting through college easier.

Our career advisors at the Greene Center are ready and available to help you work through an approach to these topics – please feel free to set up an appointment through Handshake!