Accessibility Services

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 expands this definition to include a person who is regarded as having a disability or has a history of a disability. 

According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, an accommodation is “a change, adaptation, or modification to a policy, program, service, or workplace which will allow a qualified person with a disability to participate fully in a program, take advantage of a service, or perform a job.”   

Accommodations are adjustments that are necessary to create access, and they do not alter any essential requirements of a course or program. You may think of accommodations as using different approaches to achieve the same outcome. Requested accommodations can relate to any aspect of Harvard’s programs, services, and activities.    

The Office of Student Support works with students experiencing a temporary impairment due to injury or surgical recovery to establish reasonable short-term accommodations. Temporary impairments refer to non-recurring medical conditions of short duration (generally six months or less) that significantly impact a major life activity.  

Students requesting accommodations for a temporary impairment should follow the same process as students requesting accommodations for the first time. Documentation for temporary impairments should indicate the current impact of the condition and provide an estimated recovery time.  

Note: Short-term illnesses, such as a cold or the flu, typically do not qualify for disability accommodations. Students experiencing a short-term illness should contact their instructors regarding missed classes or coursework.  

Step 1: Complete the application

Share information about your disability, the barriers you experience in the academic environment, previous accommodations (if applicable), etc. 

Step 2: Submit documentation 

Upload documentation through the application (step 1), or email it directly to accessibility@hds.harvard.edu. Whenever possible, please provide all documentation before your meeting so we can have a more informed discussion about your accommodation needs. Please note that medical documentation will NOT be sent to or viewed by instructors.  

Step 3: Meet with the Local Disability Coordinator (LDC) 

Review your application, discuss the impact of your disability in different environments, talk through potential accommodations, and go over expectations. 

The eligibility determination process is not same-day and typically takes two to three weeks from the date we receive qualifying documentation. Documentation is reviewed in order of receipt. Some accommodations may take longer than others to arrange, such as ASL interpretation or CART services. Accommodations are not retroactive; students should plan accordingly. 

Yes! Your accommodation needs may change over time. You are welcome to contact the LDC at any time to discuss updates to your accommodations based on a new diagnosis, changing health needs, or new barriers you experience in your courses. Please note that additional documentation may be required. 

Appropriate documentation should:  

1. Be dated, on letterhead, in English, and signed by a licensed, qualified treating provider. Qualified providers should be unrelated to the student, and should have an established relationship with the student beyond an initial consultation.  
2. Identify current disability or impairment(s) and the history of diagnosis.  
3. Describe how the impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities (e.g., walking, seeing, concentrating, etc.) and current treatment plan (if relevant to accommodation planning).  
4. Include recommendations or strategies that connect each accommodation recommendation to the limitations described.    

For your provider’s convenience, we offer a fillable External Provider Documentation Form that covers all of the requested elements above. Your provider may use this form in lieu of a letter, or submit it as a supplement.   

Personal statements and supporting documentation from third parties (such as previous accommodation letters or standardized testing accommodation approvals) may be submitted as supplemental materials, but cannot replace medical documentation.  

 All accommodation requests made by you and/or your clinicians will be taken into consideration. However, Accessibility Services makes the final determination on reasonable accommodations. Requests from medical professionals do not guarantee implementation or approval by the LDC.  

Any student who has concerns about accessibility or accommodations should contact the LDC as soon as possible to talk through options. If the issue cannot be resolved on the local level, Harvard University Disability Resources has an established grievance procedure. 

Student Support shares only the information necessary to implement your approved accommodations. Instructors do not receive medical documentation or information about your diagnosis, and accommodations are not noted on your academic transcript.

Whether, when, and with whom you share information about your disability is your choice. You are welcome to discuss your disability or medical condition with your instructors if you choose. However, Student Support manages the accommodations process so that you do not have to disclose personal medical information.