Services for Students with Disabilities
Penn State is strongly committed to providing full access to its programs and services for all individuals. The University encourages academically qualified students with disabilities to take advantage of the educational programs offered at Penn State Behrend. The Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs, located in the Student Affairs Suite, on the second floor of the Reed Union Building, provides assistance and support for students. A disability services coordinator provides services tailored to meet the specific needs of each student.
- Attention deficit disorders
- Hearing impairments
- Learning disabilities
- Neurological disorders
- Physical and health-related disorders
- Physical (mobility) disabilities
- Psychological disorders
- Visual impairments
Accommodations are provided based on individual needs and may include:
- Books on Tape
- Extended test-taking time
- Oral exams
- Preferential seating
- Tape recording of lectures
- Test readers/writers
- Testing in a separate room
- Library assistance is also available upon request
Students requesting disability accommodations should forward appropriate documentation from their health care providers to the Penn State Behrend disability specialist. All information is held in strict confidence. Most accommodations are identified and coordinated through a personal meeting with our disability services coordinator. Call 814-898-6111 to schedule an appointment.
- Most classrooms are wheelchair accessible. However, if a class is scheduled in an inaccessible classroom, the Registrar's Office will relocate the class to an accessible location. If classroom equipment needs prohibit relocation, additional accommodations will be made. Penn State Erie has an ongoing program of building modification and physical barrier removal to improve campus accessibility.
- Adaptive Technologies Software is available at various locations on campus: Kurzweil 3000, Dragon Naturally Speaking, JAWS v. 4.0 for Windows at the Learning Resource Center. New Windows XP Accessibility functions: Accessibility Wizard, Magnifier, Narrator, On-Screen Keyboard, and Utility Manager are also available.
- Students are invited to inquire about an individualized adaptive physical education curriculum through the Department of Athletics (814-898-6163).
- Parking arrangements for students with disabilities. Reserved parking spaces are marked in the upper and lower Reed Union Building lots, behind the Glenhill Farmhouse, west of Hammermill/Zurn Building, next to the Lilley Library/Kochel Building, next to the tennis courts, and behind many campus buildings including the apartments and residence halls. These spaces may be used by vehicles registered at Penn State Erie with a valid disability placard or license plate display. Access Penn State Behrend is a campus map depicting wheelchair-accessible routes and is available at Police and Safety, the Office of Student affairs, and most other offices on campus.
- Information about individual housing needs is sought and considered in making special housing accommodations and assignments. Rooms and bathroom facilities in Ariel, Tigress, and Senat Halls are modified to accommodate students with special needs. Other facilities in the on-campus apartments and residence halls may be modified according to individual needs.
- The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation has a district office located in Erie at 1600 Peninsula Drive and can be reached at 814-871-4551.
Contacts:
Elizabeth Hipwell, Disability Services Coordinator
Andy Herrera, Director of Educational Equity & Diversity Programs
Penn State Erie
Reed 115, Second Floor, Reed Union Building
5091 Station Road
Erie, PA 16563
Phone: 814-898-6111
Fax: 814-898-6024
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday