Accessibility Services

Policies and Procedures for Administering Accommodations

After the student meets with their assigned Accessibility team member, a student must request to use the specific accommodations each semester.  Since it may take time to coordinate the request, please make request as early as possible.

The following is the timeline for setting up accommodations:

• Within the first two weeks of the semester, submit a Semester Request
• Faculty Notification Letters will be prepared in three (3) working days after submitting the request
• Set up appointment with each instructor to deliver the faculty notification letters and discuss specific arrangements for accommodations.
• Speak with SAS or refer instructors to contact SAS with any questions or concerns regarding the accommodations

Below are policies and procedures that apply to specific accommodations, such as exam scheduling, to assist the student in accessing the accommodations they need.

Procedure for Scheduling Exams

Students who have accommodations pertaining to taking of exams, those exams may be scheduled through SAS office. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the Exam Scheduling Form and return it to SAS at least two full weeks prior to the date of the exam in order to guarantee accommodations can be made. The Exam Scheduling Form is available at the SAS office or online.

Policy for Exam Scheduling

Staff members of SAS who schedule or administer exams have the responsibility to do so in a secure manner according to the instructions of the faculty member. Students who take exams through SAS are responsible for following these instructions at all times:

• Only items necessary to complete the exam are allowed. Items not allowed include cell phones, music devices, purses, backpacks, and coats. Items not allowed may be left at the SAS office and cell phones should be turned off or on silent. SAS is not responsible for lost items.
• Students are responsible for bringing all items necessary to complete the exam (e.g., calculator, pen/pencil).
• SAS staff and proctors will not answer any questions by students regarding exam content, including definitions of words.
• Students suspected of cheating will be reported immediately to the instructor.
• The instructor will be informed with students refuse to turn in an exam when their time limit is reached.
• Students who arrive more than 15 minutes past the scheduled start time of their exam forfeit the opportunity to take the exam through SAS. The exam will be returned to the instructor and the student will need to contact the instructor to determine what arrangements can be made. The exam can be rescheduled through SAS with instructor’s permission and as space permits.
• If a student fails to show or arrives late for an exam once during a semester, they will receive an alert e-mail from SAS. If twice, a student will need to meet with an Accessibility team member. On a third occurrence, the student loses testing privileges through SAS.

Procedure for Obtaining Print Materials in an Alternative Format

Print materials such as textbooks and handouts from instructors can be provided in alternate formats depending upon the needs and preferences of the student and available technology. Requests for alternative format are made online.

Requests for material in an alternate format will be filled as soon as possible based upon the current demand for alternate formats. In some cases, students may be required to purchase or obtain the course material which will then be made available in alternate formats. Requests will be prioritized according to the following factors: 

1. Requests made first will be addressed first.
2. During times of high demand, SAS will produce the portion of the material needed first and complete the remainder of the material as the number of requests decrease.
3. Materials may be provided in a number of formats and will be provided in the preferred format selected by the student for use with technology purchased by the student or provided by SAS.  Available formats include:

• PDF
• Kurzweil
• Word
• Audiobooks from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic

Policy for Peer Notetakers

Students approved for the accommodation of peer notetakers will need to complete a separate request for each class for which notes are requested.

Notes will be provided from the date of the request forward however, it may take up to two weeks for a note taker to be located. In the event that a note taker cannot be identified for a class, SAS will contact the student to identify additional options for providing access to class notes. Any requests received after the sixth week of the semester will need to be discussed with the SAS department.

Any student who has concerns regarding the quality of notes or is not receiving notes from the note taker should contact SAS so that their concerns may be resolved. In the event that a student no longer requires the note taker or drops the course, the student should notify SAS so that the note taker can be cancelled.

Policy for Adaptive Equipment

New York Film Academy offers some adaptive technology that it may be obtained for use in the classroom. The student must assume financial responsibility for equipment that is lost or damaged and should return equipment to SAS at the agreed upon time.  Most equipment is lent on a semester basis. SAS does not provide equipment that is required for personal use outside the classroom.

Policy for Audio Recording Lectures

SAS may recommend audio recording lectures as an academic accommodation for a student that has an identified need for it.  This accommodation is subject to the following requirements:

• Students must discuss recording with the instructor so that the instructor may disclose to the class that it is being recorded.
• Audio recordings of class lectures are to be used solely by the student provided with this accommodation for use in studying for the class.
• The recordings and their use is governed by rules of academic code of conduct.
• Upon the request of the instructor, the student will return or delete the recordings when they are no longer needed for academic work.

Procedure for Course Substitution or Independent Study Petition

New York Film Academy is committed to full access and equal opportunity for all students. Students with disabilities are expected to fully meet the requirements of their program. A review committee of members of the student’s department and SAS members make decisions regarding requests for course substitutions.  All petitions are considered on an individual basis.

The review committee examines how the student's disability may be a barrier to fulfillment of the course(s) in question, considers the feasibility of available alternatives and determines whether a course substitution is possible without lowering academic standards or requiring a substantial program alteration.  The Academy is not required to substitute courses considered fundamental to the academic program.

Students requesting course substitutions must follow the procedures outlined below: 

• Provide SAS with comprehensive and current disability documentation.
• Meet with the Student Accessibility member for review of documentation and the substitution procedure.
• Complete the Course Substitution Form specifying how the student’s disability affects their ability to successfully complete the course(s) in question.  Disability documentation must be submitted with the petition and must clearly demonstrate the student’s limitations related to the course with or without accommodations.

The review committee considers the request and informs the student of the decision within 30 days.

Please note: Course substitutions provided for a student in high school are not a guarantee of the same or similar substitution at New York Film Academy.