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Overview

Disability Support Services (DSS) coordinates and facilitates services for students, faculty and staff with physical, psychological, and learning disabilities.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, an individual with a disability is defined as a person who "has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities of such an individual; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having an impairment." Services for students, faculty and staff members with disabilities are provided by many offices of the University and are coordinated through DSS.

Students, faculty or staff members requesting an accommodation due to a qualifying disability should self-identify by registering with Disability Support Services. Informing other University offices, faculty, or staff does not constitute registering with DSS. The DSS Director will conduct a review and analysis prior to making a determination about the provision of reasonable accommodations. Accommodation requests are evaluated individually, based on documentation and completion of the registration process.

 

Construction Updates

During the Summer 2008 Brown will be undergoing extensive construction. If any temporary closures or changes pose access issues, please contact Disability Support Services at 401-863-9588 or dss@brown.edu during business hours (8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday) to report any concerns or request assistance. After hours, please contact Public Safety at 401-863-3322. Our goal is to eliminate any barriers this process may pose.

 

Update on University Improvements for Housing for Students with Disabilities

Brown University offers a range of campus housing that accommodates the needs of students with disabilities. Brown University has been revising policies and performing various campus projects to improve accessibility to these facilities for students with disabilities. These improvements run the gamut from short term to long term projects. Although some of some of the improvements remain to be completed, we want to report to the community on the substantial progress that has been made in completing projects that improve the infrastructure of housing for students with disabilities. Among the completed projects are the following:

 

Campus Residence Hall Facilities

The university has made improvement to accessibility features of dormitory rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Although some work remains to be completed, facilities where improvements have been made are Poland House, Buxton House, Chapin House, Diman House, Goddard House, Harkness House, Marcy House, Olney House, Sears House, Andrews Hall, Champlin Hall, Emery Hall, Barbour Hall, Vartan Gregorian Quads, and Young Orchard #2.

 

Campus Site Improvements

Improvements have been performed relating to the accessibility of routes of travel on campus to accessible dormitories. Among the effected facilities are the following: Poland House, Buxton House, Chapin House, Diman House, Goddard House, Harkness House, Marcy House, Olney House, Sears House, Champlin House , and Vartan Gregorian Quads.

The university has also completed projects creating accessible parking in the lower level of the Power Street parking garage, and renovating Sharpe Refectory dining hall for the purpose of making the dining hall accessible to students with disabilities.

Brown University has campus accessibility maps that provide information about campus accessibility, including but not limited to information about accessible paths of travel, lift locations, and accessible parking. These maps can be found at: http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/ Facilities_Management/map_download1.php

For specific information about accessibility, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services, at 401-863-9588 (phone), 401-863-9588 (TTY), 401-863-1999 (fax), DSS@Brown.edu (e-mail).

 

Program Houses

The university has renovated the following facilities where program houses are located so that they are accessible to and usable by students with disabilities:

  • Machado House ( 87 Prospect Street ), French House and Hispanic House
  • King House (154 Hope Street), St. Anthony Hall

 

Auxiliary (Rental) Housing

Two university owned facilities have been renovated so that they are accessible to and usable by students with disabilities who have been granted permission to reside off-campus. The newly renovated buildings are located at the following addresses:

  • 110 Charlesfield Street
  • 71-73 Charlesfield Street

Brown University asks for your patience as it continues to work on projects that are a part of this important initiative. It continues to be the university's goal to perform these improvements with minimal interference to campus activities.