Special Needs Services

Overview

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, all institutions of higher education must respond appropriately to the unique needs of disabled students. These federal laws ensure that disabled students do not experience academic inequity. More particularly, they require institutions to examine, on a case-by-case basis, requests made by disabled students for reasonable accommodation. While "fundamental alteration to the nature of a program' is not required, reasonable accommodation is.

It is the policy of the Hamilton College Library to create and maintain an environment in which all students may learn and work to their fullest potential, limited to the least extent possible by individual disabilities. The Library will work with the Dean of Students office to ensure that resources and materials are available for academic use.

Book Retrieval and Photocopying

Library staff will retrieve books and place them at the Circulation Desk for pick up. Upon request, staff will also assist with photocopying needs by locating journals or microforms on the shelves and/or completing the Interlibrary Loan forms. The Library staff will make photocopies that can be mailed to a campus address, picked up, or sent electronically to the user. The Library staff can also provide text enlargement services.

Library staff is available to accompany any user requiring assistance in locating materials in the library.

Adaptive Equipment

Library patrons with special needs may use the computers in the Reference Area of Burke Library. These computers have ZoomText software, in addition to Internet Explorer, available.

Other services and accommodation may be made, based on individual needs. Please contact the Reference Department at 315-859-4735, or use the Ask a Librarian Form to request more information.

(Reviewed: March 24, 2006)