Student Disability Access Office

Mission Statement

Duke University is committed to equality of educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities. The Student Disability Access Office is charged with the responsibility of exploring possible coverage and reasonable accommodations for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students for purposes of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act. The mission of the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) is to provide and coordinate accommodations, support services, and auxiliary aids for qualified students with disabilities.

Feel free to contact us at any time, or visit our office to speak to a member of our staff. Please click on the links above to learn more about our office.

Scope of Services

The SDAO is the office on campus that provides support services and coordinates accommodations to meet the needs of students who may have a variety of disabilities such as, but not limited to:

  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD)
  • Learning Disabilities (LD)
  • Psychological Disorders
  • Visual Impairments
  • Hearing Impairments
  • Mobility Impairments
  • Chronic Health Disorders

Factors, Rights, and Responsibilities of Students and of Duke University

Factors at Post-Secondary Level

  • Rehab Act of 1973
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Disability Management System—Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) Procedures

Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities

  • Meet qualifications
  • Self-identify
  • Provide documentation
  • Follow established institutional procedures (see steps for requesting accommodations)
  • Request accommodations in a timely manner each semester by meeting with his or her Disability Services Liaison
  • Notify his or her Disability Services Liaison or the SDAO if there are difficulties with securing accommodations or with the quality of the accommodations

NOTE: Receiving services or accommodations at another college, university, or testing agency does not necessarily mean that Duke University will conclude that the student is disabled for purposes of the ADA and/or agree to provide the student with the same services or accommodations received at the other institution or testing agency.

Rights of Students with Disabilities

  • Equal access to courses, programs, services, and activities
  • “Reasonable” accommodations
  • Right to file a grievance/complaint

Responsibilities of the University

  • Give notice of available services
  • Ensure that programs, services, and activities—when viewed in their entirety—are accessible
  • Explore and provide appropriate reasonable accommodations
  • Ensure that all information will be maintained and used in accordance with applicable confidentiality requirements

Rights of the University

  • Identify and establish core competencies and technical standards
  • Request and receive current documentation
  • Determine reasonable accommodations
  • Deny a request for accommodations or change an accommodation that is listed on the signed Accommodations Agreement in specific situations when an accommodation would change the fundamental nature of a program and/or pose an undue burden

Procedures for Requesting Consideration for Reasonable Accommodations

Please check the SDAO Web page for the latest procedures.

Contact Information

For all documentation reviews and accommodations recommendations, contact

Emma Swain, Ph.D.
Director, Student Disability Access Office
402 Oregon Street, Suite 102
Box 90142
668-1267

Disability Services Liaison for students enrolled in The Graduate School

Lana BenDavid
Program Coordinator, Graduate Student Affairs
120 Allen Building
Box 90070
681-1551

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated: 08/04/2005