The Division of Continuing Education is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging and providing an accessible community. To that end, the Accessibility Services Office (ASO) offers a variety of accommodations and services to those with documented disabilities, permanent and temporary injuries, as well as chronic conditions. We use an individualized, case-by-case approach to provide you with an equitable opportunity to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from our programs.
We are pleased you found us and look forward to working with you. Accessibility Services works with all programs at Harvard Summer School. If you do not see your program on the list or are unsure if you are in any of these categories, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Secondary School Program
- Harvard Summer School Study Abroad
- Pre-College Program
- Proctors
- Student Activities Staff
- International Partnerships Program
- Crimson Summer Academy
- Pre-Medical Program
- ALM and ALB Candidates
- Certificate Seekers
- General Course Takers
- Prospective Degree Candidates
- HBS CORE for credit through Harvard Business School Online if you are a degree candidate or a prospective degree candidate
How Do I Register and Request Accommodations?
- Register with the ASO by logging into MyDCE, clicking on “Request Disability Accommodation,” and following the prompts to register as a new student.
- If you are not a student but a proctor of activities staff, you will follow the same steps. There will be a spot in the form to indicate your affiliation with the Summer School.
- Create your Accessibility Services Access Portal account by completing the self-disclosure form and uploading documentation of your condition.
- Once reviewed by a member of the ASO team, you will be emailed to schedule a virtual welcome (intake) meeting in our online portal to discuss your request. If the documentation is not available at the time of filling out the self-disclosure form, you can return to the portal at a future date. If your request does not require a meeting, this will be shared with you via email.
- Please note that documentation and self-disclosure must be received before accommodation requests can be evaluated.
- If you wish to schedule a meeting prior to submitting a request or documentation, you may schedule an informational meeting.
A note for high school students
We recognize that this may be your first time applying for accommodations at the postsecondary level. Because Harvard Summer School is a postsecondary program, our process and accommodations will look different than at your high school.
At this level, students have the responsibility of identifying any needs to the school, therefore you will need to register with us and follow the same steps outlined above under the register section. Transition resources are available upon request to help you understand the differences, and we welcome the opportunity to talk with you more about the process.
Parent/guardian involvement
If you would like your parent or guardian to be present, we do welcome them to sit in on welcome meetings. The conversation will be directed toward you, and we expect you to participate fully in the interactive process. This is a good opportunity to learn how to make requests, self-advocate, and understand more about the differences between high school and college-level programs.
When to Request an Accommodation
Accommodations must be requested each term. If you are in a program that does not follow the Academic Calendar, you are welcome to contact us to find out more about deadlines.
We strongly encourage you to make requests as early as possible to avoid delays. Ordinarily, a request can take up to 2 weeks to process. For requests that involve 3rd party providers, such as American Sign Language and live captioning services, or, require alternative formats of course materials, a minimum of 4 weeks is needed prior to the start of the semester to ensure timely delivery of services for the first day of classes.
To ensure timely delivery and implementation of accommodations we encourage you to make all requests at least four weeks prior to the start of the semester, the class, or the program.
We also recognize that temporary impairments and disability can occur at any point. Requests submitted after these dates will be reviewed in the order they are received and can take several weeks to implement depending on the time of the semester.
To ensure timely delivery and implementation of accommodations we encourage you to make requests by these dates:
- Monday, May 12, 2025, for the summer semester
If you register for a class or program after this date, it is imperative to contact us as soon as possible.
How to request accommodations as a returning student having received accommodations previously
- Log in to MyDCE, click on “Request Accommodation”
- Follow the prompts to enter the Accessibility Services Access Portal as a returning student.
- Find the Accommodation tab.
- Navigate to “Semester Request” and put in your accommodation requests.
If you are in need of new, or different accommodations, please submit a supplemental request, upload additional documentation, and schedule an “Accommodation Change” meeting in the portal under the “Appointments” tab.
How to request accommodations as a student registered with another disability office at Harvard
We will require you to notify us if you need any residential or academic accommodations at DCE. If you are already registered with another Harvard disability office and taking a class at DCE, please login to MyDCE, click on “Request Accommodation” and follow the prompts to register as a new student by creating an Accessibility Services Access Portal via the self-disclosure form.
Once we have your request, we will work with your home school’s accessibility office to obtain your accommodation information.
In many cases, a meeting with an Assistant Director is still necessary in order to review any differences from your home school accommodation eligibility and implementation. If we do not require a meeting, we will let you know by email and you will receive confirmation of your accommodations. If you do not receive accommodations at your home school and may require them in the future, you should contact your home school’s Local Disability Coordinator first since they will need to be the ones to determine eligibility.
How to request temporary accommodations
DCE takes student privacy seriously. If you encounter a temporary medical condition that is disrupting your class, and you would like to request a temporary exception with medical documentation, please submit that to the Accessibility Services Office. We are happy to work with you and your instructor on any temporary accommodations.
Documentation
The Accessibility Services Office conducts individualized assessments of accommodation requests that include the review of relevant documentation. We emphasize the value of your experience, history, and perspective in conjunction with the review of supporting medical documentation.
Evaluations should be relevant and address the current impact of your disability. All accommodation requests made by you and/or your clinicians will be taken into consideration; however, ASO makes the final determination on reasonable accommodations. Requests from medical professionals do not guarantee implementation or approval.
Guidelines
- Documentation Guidelines for Disabling Conditions Due to Chronic Physical and Mental Health Conditions
- Documentation Guidelines for Learning Disability (LD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Forms
Preparing for Your Welcome Meeting
The Welcome Meeting is a one-on-one meeting with an Assistant Director and an opportunity for you to share some of the ways you are impacted by your disability. Reasonable accommodations may be determined after this meeting occurs. Welcome meetings are conducted over Zoom, and if you require accommodation for the meeting, please let us know in advance.
What happens after your welcome meeting
The Assistant Director will email you confirmation of your accommodations.
You may receive notification that certain requests were not approved, or alternative accommodations may be suggested instead.
There is a shared responsibility for sharing your approved accommodations with your instructors at the start of each term if you are a returning student. You will need to submit a semester request in the Accessibility Services Access Portal linked in MyDCE and from there the Accessibility Services team will email approved accommodations to your instructors. For residential accommodations, if you return for a future summer, you must also submit a semester request.
The Assistant Director is available to work with you throughout the semester. Frequent and early communication is important when adjustments are needed.
How long does the process take?
The eligibility determination process is not a same day process. The process, from the time you submit a completed application to implementation of your accommodations, can take up to two weeks.
Registration materials are reviewed in order of receipt. Further delays may occur during busy times, including the first two weeks of the semester or the week before final exams. Accommodations are not implemented retroactively.
Accommodations FAQs
What if I have a dietary request?
If you are in need of a dietary accommodation due to a medical condition, you will need to register with us. In most circumstances we will facilitate a referral to the campus dietician so it is very important to make your requests at least three weeks prior to your arrival.
Please note, if you have dietary needs for other reasons (religious, preference, vegetarian) you can find out more about the dining hall offerings on Harvard University’s dining website. During the summer term, you can find menu offerings by week as well as allergen and ingredient information.
What housing accommodations are available?
Accessibility Services works very closely with our Housing Services team to ensure students with disabilities that are living on campus in Harvard housing are provided appropriate accommodations. Please note, due to space constraints, it is very important that you make your requests in a timely manner.
Harvard Summer School does not have air conditioned rooms. If you require air conditioning as a result of your medical condition, you will need to register with us and provide documentation.
Housing accommodations include things like a single bedroom, a room on a first floor or near an elevator, wheelchair accessible bathroom, and an air conditioner.
Housing accommodations do not include roommate preferences or preferences for specific residence halls or houses.
What are testing accommodations?
Testing accommodations can include the amount of seated time to complete a test, the number of test-takers in a room, technology used to complete tests, time to take a break.
They do not include unlimited testing time, changing the number or type of test questions, or changing the format of an exam.
What is communication access?
Communication Access can include Real-time captioning and/or captioned media, American Sign Language Interpreting, and Alternative Methods of Communication.
It does not include changing course or program requirements.
What is note taking?
Note taking technology such as applications and software to facilitate independent note-taking; audio recording; use of a laptop, tablet, and/or stylist; or peer note taking assistance.
Note taking accommodations do not:
- Eliminate the need to take lecture notes.
- Alter participation or attendance requirements in class.
- Allow for recordings to be shared or posted.
- Give permission to video record.
What are accessible formats?
Accessible Formats include alternative text formats, font size, or creation of accessible digital content, Braille materials, audio descriptions, or speech-to-text and text-to-speech conversions.
They do not change the materials or number of materials required for a class, or require you to pay an extra charge for a required format.
Do you offer tutoring and coaching?
Accessibility Services does not offer content tutoring or formalized coaching services. Instead, registered students can schedule academic strategy sessions to discuss any academic difficulties and academic/semester planning throughout the term.
HSS offers tutoring and coaching for certain subjects through the Academic Tutor Program in the Office of Student Affairs.
Complaints and Grievance Process
The Schools of Harvard University do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, gender identity and expression, or other legally or policy protected status in the university’s services, educational programs, and activities. The ASO works with students who have concerns related to disability. We respect each individual’s rights to file a grievance under the law. When complaints occur, the complainant should trust that the registering of a concern will have no impact on our collaborative working relationship.
Grievance procedures across the various schools at Harvard University differ. In the Division of Continuing Education, the first step in the majority of instances where an individual is dissatisfied with a DCE decision or treatment is to seek informal resolution through a reconsideration request. You may request reconsideration of accommodation decisions (including eligibility decisions) made by the ASO on the basis of (1) a failure of judgment, (2) failure of process, or (3) failure of information.
To request reconsideration, schedule an appeal appointment with the Director to discuss your concerns through the online portal. If the informal, reconsideration request does not produce appropriate results, you have the option of filing a formal grievance with University Disability Resources.
University-Level Grievances
If the grievant is dissatisfied with the outcome of an inquiry, he/she may file an appeal with University Disability Resources. For more information regarding that process, please consult the University Disability Services website.
Financial and Registration Appeals
If you are seeking an exception to a registration related action (late drop of a class, late withdrawal) or require a makeup final exam, please find information on the Financial and Registration Appeals website.
Accessibility Services staff are not voting members of the appeals committee, however we do attend committee meetings and act as advisors to lend our expertise if an appeal is medical in nature.
In addition, ASO-registered students who encounter extraordinary disability-related circumstances are encouraged to connect with us for support in navigating the appeals process.
For Instructors
If you are a DCE instructor interested in learning more about ways to incorporate Universal Design for Learning, please consider booking a consultation with us or the Teaching and Learning team.
If you have questions about how to implement specific accommodations, please get in touch with us by either calling 617-998-9640 or emailing Accessibility@Extension.Harvard.edu.
Appointments? Questions?
If you want to schedule a zoom appointment, log in the Accessibility Services Access Portal (ASAP) via MyDCE. If you have a quick question, please email us at Accessibility@Extension.Harvard.edu or call us. We are currently not accepting in-person, walk-in meetings.
Contact
Accessibility Services Office (ASO)
125 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138
Telephone: 617-998-9640
Fax: 617-410-4069
Email: Accessibility@Extension.Harvard.edu
