Specialized Services

NJCU students with disabilities are provided equal access to college programs through the provision of reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The OSS/SI serves as a resource for students with mobility, vision, hearing, learning, and other disabilities that may require campus/ classroom accommodations and/or academic support.

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a trademarked method of delivering academic support to students through a collaborative learning environment. SI serves historically challenging gatekeeper courses. SI sessions target study skills, collaborative exercises and integration of course concepts without re-lecturing the material. NJCU’s SI Program currently supports gatekeeper courses within our science and math programs.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Office of Specialized Services is to: y Provide equal access for students with disabilities to NJCU’s academic programs and activities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. y Provide reasonable accommodations for qualified students. y Maintain an accessible environment for all students with disabilities. The OSS/SI assists students in securing reasonable accommodations supported by documentation. Reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to, alternate testing arrangements, adaptive/assistive technology, and assistance in arranging for sign language interpreters, books in alternate format, and peer note-takers. It is the student’s responsibility to self-identify and to request services. Students requesting accommodations are required to submit appropriate and recent documentation of their diagnosed disabilities.

Documentation Guidelines

All disability documentation should include the following: y The credentials of the evaluator(s); y A diagnostic statement identifying the disability; y Description of the diagnostic methodology used; y Description of the current functional limitations; y Description of the expected progression or stability of the disability; y Current and/or past accommodations, services and/or medications; y Recommendations for accommodations, adaptive devices, assistive services, compensatory strategies, and/or collateral support services. Students with learning disabilities are required to submit the most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP), Educational Evaluation and Psychological Evaluation. The mission of the NJCU Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program is to: y Increase student retention and success in historically difficult gateway courses within our STEM disciplines by providing collaborative learning experiences. y The program’s goal is to improve student’s understanding of course content, foster critical thinking skills and introduce and apply study skills that will support learning beyond the SI session meetings.

Office Hours:

Mondays – Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Evening hours are available by appointment.

Contact Information

Karnoutsos Hall, Room 105 Phone: 201-200-2091 (OSS) Phone: 201-200-2557 (SI)

Jennifer Aitken

Director

Jazmin Zegarra

Coordinator, Specialized Services

Jennifer Rak

Coordinator, Supplemental Instruction

Hanadi Fardos

Administrative Assistant, Specialized Services