Disability Resources

Bridgewater State College is committed to ensuring all individuals equal access to its programs and services. Bridgewater offers a number of services to students who have a documented medical condition, are physically challenged, or have emotional or learning disabilities.

If you anticipate that you will need support services please contact Disability Resources in the Academic Achievement Center, Maxwell Library, (508) 531-1713, TTY (508) 531-6113, or FAX (508)531-5240. We will work with you to evaluate your needs, determine resource availability, and assist in coordinating accommodations.

The Disability Resources Office offers support in many areas, including:

Visually Challenged

  • Taping and reader assistance
  • Assistance in acquiring alternative format materials
  • Adaptive computing
  • Loan of tape recorder
  • Note-taking and scribes
  • Peer Mentors

Mobility-Dexterity Challenges

  • Program accessibility
  • Campus orientation
  • Priority registration
  • Adaptive computing
  • Note-taking and scribes
  • Accessible campus transportation

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

  • Note-taking
  • Assistance obtaining interpreters
  • Adaptive computing
  • TTY access
  • Peer Mentors
  • Short term loan of assistive hearing device

Learning Disabilities

  • Extended time on exams (when appropriate)
  • Note-taking
  • Taping and reader assistance
  • Possible alternative testing formats
  • Adaptive computing
  • Mathematics Services, Study & Research, and Writing Studio
  • Peer tutors

Medical Conditions

  • Accommodations are made on an individual basis
  • Priority registration if rigid schedule must be kept
  • Medical support through Health Services

Psychological Disabilities

  • Accommodations made on an individual basis
  • Individual counseling services through the Counseling Center

Accessing Services

The most important things you can do are:

  • Following admission arrange to have the documentation of your disability, current to within 3 years, forwarded to the Disability Resources Office by your high school counselor, therapist, physician, or other service provider. Documentation must provide a diagnosis and must relate to the specific area in which you are requesting a service or program modification. Documentation must have been completed by a qualified professional with experience working with college age populations. IEP and 504 plans are not sufficient documentation for accommodation.
  • Following registration make an appointment with the Disabilities Resources to discuss your disability and plan in advance for the support services you anticipate needing at the start of the term.
  • If you have a learning disability, please see the Learning Disability Specialist during the first week of classes.
  • Students who are clients of governmental units (i.e. Mass. Rehab.), or private charitable organizations (i.e. March of Dimes), are expected to exercise initiative in identifying and obtaining auxiliary aids and assistance through every reasonable channel.

Last Modified: August 4, 2006