Disability Accommodations
For any questions or concerns relating to disabilities, referrals to University resources, and personal, family or medical concerns, please contact:Cathleen Segal, Assistant Director for Student Services
Dean of Students Office
Pound 310
617-495-1880
csegal@law
Assistance for Students with Disabilities
HLS is committed to working with students with disabilities: learning disabilities as well as physical disabilities. In all cases, the usual standards of judgment and assessment of student’s overall academic performance apply. The Dean of Students Office, upon review of medical documentation and consultation with professionals, may make accommodations to assist students with disabilities. Such accommodations will be confidential, reasonable and appropriate to the circumstances, will confer equal opportunity on students with disabilities, and will not infringe on the essential requirements of or fundamentally alter the program.
Students with disabilities should contact Cathleen Segal to request assistance and coordination of accommodations. Faculty and other academic staff should instruct students seeking accommodations for disabilities to request assistance from Cathleen Segal at the Dean of Students Office.
Once the appropriate medical documentation is received, professionals will review it to determine appropriate accommodations. Cathleen will meet with the student to discuss accommodations. The student and Cathleen will maintain contact as appropriate in ongoing efforts to accommodate the student. Assuming the medical documentation is current and complete, this process may require up to ten weeks.
Note-taking
Note-taking is provided when it is determined to be a necessary academic accommodation. Notes are intended for a student's personal study use only and are not to be shared with other individuals. Note-taking is not considered a substitute for a student's full participation and attendance in each class. Please contact Cathleen Segal to discuss your needs. Students must make arrangements for note-taking at the start of each semester and are responsible for notifying Cathleen if any difficulties arise during the semester.Class Recording
In special circumstances, students should contact the Dean of Students Office to request an audio-only class recording. Classes may be recorded only in cases of a documented disability (for which class recording is an approved accommodation) or in situations requiring an extended absence due to a personal or family emergency, or a serious, documented illness. More information can be found on the Media Services website.Bar Exam Accommodations
Graduating students who plan on filing a petition for special testing accommodations for taking the bar exam should first go to the website of the state where they are taking the exam and familiarize themselves with the application requirements and deadlines. Most applications are due 90 days prior to the test date, but the Bar recommends sending in completed applications as soon as possible. Students filing a petition will need a statement from a law school official that specifies the accommodations made available (if any) during the administration of law school examinations. In addition, any written reports that were the basis for the accommodations need to be included. Students should contact Cathleen Segal, who will complete the Statement of Law School Official.Transportation/Parking
The University Disability Coordinator and Parking Services jointly manage all parking policy and parking requests based on disability. Students with specific needs should contact Cathleen Segal. Medical documentation of the disability or injury is necessary for authorization of parking.Disability Shuttle Service
Harvard’s disability shuttle is designed for persons who, because of mobility impairment (either permanent or temporary) or medical condition, find it extremely difficult or impossible to use the regular shuttle bus. This service operates year-round throughout the Cambridge and Allston campuses. Students who wish to request shuttle service should first contact Cathleen Segal. Medical documentation is required. After approval, please call 617-495-0400 to schedule a ride. Rides are by appointment only. The service normally operates from 7:45 a.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week with reduced hours during the summer months and recess periods. After 7 p.m., fully accessible shuttle vans are available through the evening van service (reservations are not required for this). More information can be found on the University Shuttle Service's web page.Guests in Need of Accommodations
Students who need accommodations for their guests at HLS should contact the Dean of Students Office.Disability Resources
The following is a list of University and outside online resources that pertain to persons with disabilities. Check back as this list will be updated periodically.University Resources & Organizations
Harvard College Libraries—Services for Persons with DisabilitiesA listing of the services available to patrons with disabilities, as well as information on physically accessing the various libraries.
"Mental Health Awareness Advocacy Group"
MHAAG is dedicated to increasing awareness of the issues surrounding mental health and mental illness, and to improving the services offered to those with mental health issues at Harvard University.
RSI Action
RSI Action is a GSAS student group open to all Harvard students (graduate, undergraduate, professional schools) providing preventative education, advocacy and support for students with RSI (and those hoping to avoid it).
University Health Services
Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) is a comprehensive health care facility in Harvard Square and at the Business, Law, and Medical School areas.
Local/State Resources & Organizations
Cambridge Commission for Persons with DisabilitiesThe Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) was established in 1979 to serve as a resource in the Cambridge community to address access, equal rights, and other issues of concern to people with disabilities.
Carroll Center for the Blind
The Carroll Center for the Blind, located in Newton, Massachusetts, is a private, non-profit agency which serves persons of all ages who are blind or visually impaired.
Disability Law Center of Massachusetts
The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the protection and advocacy agency for Massachusetts. DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. DLC receives federal, state and private funding but is not part of the state or federal government.
Learning Disabilities Association of Massachusetts
The Learning Disabilities Association of Massachusetts (LDAM) is a non-profit, volunteer organization including individuals with learning disabilities, their families, and professionals. LDAM is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families.
National Resources & Organizations
American Foundation for the BlindThe American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national non-profit organization that expands possibilities for people with vision loss.
Association on Higher Education and Disability
AHEAD is the premier professional association committed to full participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education.
Learning Disabilities Association of America
National volunteer organization which provides help to parents, professionals, and individuals with learning disabilities.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFBD), a non-profit volunteer organization, is the nation's educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia, or other physical disability.
Law Specific
A Guide to Disability Rights LawsAmericans with Disabilities Act
ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
A section of the American Bar Association, the Commission's website is geared for lawyers who practice disability law. It should also be of interest to law students who are interested in the Commission's disability law publications and services, which include fee-based legal research.
National Council on Disability
An independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities.