Office of Special Services

To receive services and accommodations, students must identify themselves to Special Services and present official documentation of their disability. In general, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, e.g., walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, or performing manual tasks.

The Office supports students who have disabilities such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Autism Spectrum
• Blindness or vision loss
• Chronic illness
• Deafness or hearing loss
• Epilepsy or seizure disorders
• Learning disabilities
• Psychiatric conditions
• Orthopedic limitations
• Speech disorders
• Traumatic brain injury

Step 1: Gather documentation from a qualified professional which provides recommendations for appropriate accommodations. Documentation may include an IEP or 504 Plan from high school with psychoeducational testing. Download Guidelines for Documentation (PDF document) (PDF)

Step 2: Review your documentation to be sure you understand which accommodations you will need at university.

Step 3: Before classes begin, send your documentation to Special Services by email, margaret.giuliano@duny.edu or postage mail to:

Dominican University New York
Office of Special Services
Casey Hall
470 Western Highway
Orangeburg, NY 10962

Step 4: Schedule a meeting with the director to discuss your needs and to complete letters of accommodation for your professors. It is important to note that identifying necessary accommodations is an individualized process and involves maintaining open communication with the director. You may schedule a meeting by email, margaret.giuliano@duny.edu or phone, 845-848-4035.

Step 5: Meet with your professors to review your letter of accommodation.

The Office of Special Services prioritizes student privacy. Disability documentation submitted to Special Services is kept separate from student academic records and is not available to anyone outside Special Services. When information beyond what is necessary for legitimate educational interest must be shared, written consent from the student is generally required. Disability documentation does not become part of a student’s transcript or permanent record.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
The Office of Special Services adheres to the guidance of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is a federal privacy law that safeguards the privacy of student records and restricts disclosure without consent. Students may choose to grant specific individuals such as parents or guardians, access to their records by signing a FERPA release. Students who have signed a FERPA release consenting to disclosure of private information are expected to be actively involved in the process.

The Blue Envelope Program is a free initiative by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association that helps improve communication and safety during traffic stops for drivers with autism or other communication differences. It gives law enforcement officers a way to recognize neurodivergent drivers and adjust their communication approach, while helping drivers feel more prepared and less anxious during interactions.

How the Program Works

Participating New York State sheriffs’ offices and advocacy organizations provide drivers with a specially designed blue envelope. The envelope is intended to hold essential driving documents, including:

• Driver’s license
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance card
• Emergency contact information or contact card

The blue envelope should be kept in a visible and easily accessible location inside the vehicle.

The outside of the envelope includes communication guidelines that alert law enforcement officers that the driver may have communication differences or sensory sensitivities, helping support calmer, clearer and safer interactions.

During a traffic stop, the driver can simply inform the officer by saying, “I have a blue envelope.”

The Blue Envelope Program is designed to help individuals with communication barriers feel safer, more understood, and better supported during interactions with law enforcement.

Website Accessibility

Dominican University is committed to ensuring that its website is accessible to everyone. All the pages on our website will meet WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA conformance. Please contact us to report any issues, as we are continually striving to improve your experience.

Web Accessibility Initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium

Online Accessibility

Dominican University is committed to providing a barrier-free educational environment to the greatest extent possible. The Office of Special Services (OSS) at Dominican University facilitates support services and accommodations to students with disabilities, and works under the federal guidelines included in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended.

Students seeking accommodations for online programs at the University, are responsible for initiating contact with the Office of Special Services and are strongly encouraged to explore the Accommodation Procedures.