Depending upon the individual need, supported by appropriate documentation, the following services may be provided:

• Academic counseling
• Early Advisement
• Early registration
• Coordination and facilitation of reasonable accommodations on an individualized basis
• Administration of exams with accommodations
• Coordination of note taking services
• Technical assistance with reading and/or scribing
• Assistance with arrangements for recorded or alternate format texts/ study materials
• Coordination of ASL interpreting services
• Alternate format print material: i.e. enlarged print, Braille
• Classroom relocations (as needed, if room availability allows)
• Assistive technology (see OAS Lab)
• CUNY LEADS (Linking Employment, Academics and Disability Services)
• Advocacy
• Liaison with college and community
• CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities at QCC (CCSD Club)
• Academic Skills Coaching

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The OAS Lab, located in Library Room 116, is open from: 9am to 7pm Monday through Thursday and 9am – 5 pm on Fridays. Evening and Saturday schedules vary and need prior arrangement.

The OAS lab is an academic support center for currently enrolled students with disabilities. This lab is the place where students may take exams with accommodations, receive individualized tutoring for remedial studies or study/do homework at the ADA accessible workstations. These work stations are equipped with specialized Assistive Technologies to meet the accommodation needs of our students.

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Assistive Technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve access for individuals with disabilities. The Office of Accessibility Services is working to bring state of the art assistive technology solutions to campus. The AT lab contains the following resources and equipment:

Voice Recognition Software (Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional): enables students to write and/or navigate the computer screen by simply dictating commands to a computer system that is trained to recognize their voices. Recommended for: motor disabilities and/or students with learning disabilities.

Screen Readers (Jaws): Provides access to software applications and the Internet to students who are unable to see a traditional computer monitor. Accessibility is created via voice output system that literally reads the contents to users. Recommended for: blind and low-vision students.

Screen Enlargers (Zoom Text): Enables students who have difficulty viewing the screen on a standard computer monitor to enlarge the content from as little as 1.2 times incrementally up to 16 times. Magnification can be used in conjunction with available speech output features. Recommended for: low-vision students.

Braille Translation Software (Duxbury): Converts text and/or graphics to Braille files in order to be read by students who are Braille readers. Files can be printed through a Braille embosser or read by students who have a refreshable Braille display. Recommended for: blind and low-vision students.

Kurzweil 1000 Reading & Writing System—Enables students who are unable to see a computer monitor to read/write and edit material by having it read aloud by the computer and then using keystrokes to manipulate all the formatting commands. Material is opened from a file, scanned in, or created within the program, then saved as a document for output. Recommended for: blind and low-vision students

Kurzweil 3000 Reading & Writing System: Assists students whose disabilities affect their reading comprehension and/or writing skills by simultaneously reading text aloud and highlighting each spoken word on a computer display. Students can pause on any word, and have instant access to dictionary, thesaurus, grammar check, and note-taking features. Students can also use the system's scanner, voice-output and recording capabilities to create books-on-tape. Recommended for: learning disabilities and/or low-vision students.

CCTV (Optelec): Video magnifiers magnify material up to 44-times their original size. By placing viewing material under a built in camera, the image is magnified while the individual user focuses to the desired enlargement; output is displayed on the attached monitor Recommended for: low-vision students.

*All workstations are configured on height adjustable tables.

Assistive technology is available in all labs throughout campus. All labs are reconfigured with:

• Height adjustable tables
• Oversized monitors
• Scanner
• Screen reading software
• Screen enlarging software
• Specialized reading and writing software

Additional assistive technology is available upon request through the OAS office.

Queensborough Community College is also the home to two additional specialized programs, which serve the needs of students with disabilities.

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What is CUNY LEADS?
LEADS is a CUNY-wide program that provides students with disabilities the skills to make realistic academic and career choices. Many services are available to support students throughout their job search and help them develop successful careers.

Students interested in participating in the CUNY LEADS Program are encouraged to register with OAS (Office of Accessibility Services). This is a program that all students with disabilities can benefit from! If you would like to take advantage of any of our great services, please schedule an appointment to meet with our CUNY LEADS Advisor to determine how we can best assist you on your path to success! Veterans and all students with disabilities are welcome, even if you haven't registered with OAS.

What services are provided by the CUNY LEADS Program?
Each campus has a CUNY LEADS Advisor who provides every student with individualized guidance and support based on their needs. The program provides extensive services to students which include:

• Academic advisement
• Career counseling and Exploration
• Job Preparation Assistance
  • Job search skills
  • Resumes and Cover Letters
  • Interview preparation
  • Mock Interviews
  • Internship and Volunteer opportunities
  • Job placement assistance
• Self-Advocacy skills

Who may be eligible for the CUNY LEADS Program?
CUNY students with disabilities who are currently registered in:

• Degree or Non-degree programs
• Adult and Continuing programs

To learn more about this confidential and free program please contact:

CUNY LEADS Advisor
Sheryl Sobel
Room: S-132
Phone: (718) 631-6257
Fax: (718) 218-5733
Email: ssobel@qcc.cuny.edu

CUNY LEADS Job Developer
Suzanne Jones
Room: S-132
Phone: (718) 631-6257
Fax: (718) 218-5733
Email: sdjones@qcc.cuny.edu

More information about CUNY LEADS

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An issue that is often misunderstood in postsecondary institutions is the provision of personal aids and/or services. Postsecondary institutions are not required to provide accommodations of a personal nature such as Personal Care Attendant (PCA), personal devices, or personal services. Students who need help navigating the campus, using QCC restroom facilities, or any other personal care, must coordinate, and pay for, their own PCA, services, and/or devices themselves.

As per section 504 and Title II of the ADA QCC does not provide attendants, individually prescribed devices, auxiliary aide for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature.

Additionally, students utilizing a PCA must understand the following:

• You are responsible for your PCA's use of all CUNY facilities, equipment, resources, and network activities, in accordance with all CUNY policies, during your PCA's employment duration.
• You are responsible for documenting, and being approved for, the need for this accommodation with QCC's Office of Accessibility Services (OAS).
• You are responsible for ensuring that your PCA registers with QCC's office of Public Safety and OAS.
• If you require your PCA assist you during class, you are responsible for ensuring all academic work completed physically by your PCA is your own intellectual content (e.g., your own ideas, knowledge, analysis, thought processes, artistic expressions, etc., contained within your academic work). Any student who accepts the intellectual assistance of a PCA may be considered in violation of QCC's policies on Academic Integrity.

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