Disability Support Services (DSS)

What do we do?

At Lesley University, we're committed to providing equal or equally effective alternative access to academic, social, cultural, and recreational programs for all qualified individuals with disabilities. Our Disability Support Services team works with faculty, staff, community, and students in all degree-granting programs to make appropriate adjustments to provide this access.

We provide comprehensive, unified, and consistent supports to all students with disabilities across the board. We work with you on an individualized basis, recognizing that your experience of disability is unique and contextual. We focus on your specific academic strengths and needs, bringing professional expertise and insight to each interaction.

Educational access includes the provision of accommodations, supports, and services. We are here to discuss your accommodations, help with disability-related issues, and provide ideas on communicating with instructors.

When are we available?

Support staff is generally available Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. If you need to schedule an appointment outside of that time, please don't hesitate to contact the appropriate professional staff member.

Where can you find us?

You can find the offices for professional DSS staff members on the second floor of University Hall. We follow a hybrid office schedule. Our support services are available in person and virtually via Zoom, Teams, or a platform that is convenient for you. Our website contains links to our policies and our various forms.

Why would you contact us?

If you have or believe you have a disability, we work with you through a collaborative and interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations that fit your unique needs. We can help you with:

Discussing your accommodations
Addressing disability-related issues
Providing ideas on how to communicate with instructors
Requesting accommodation letters for your courses
Exploring changes or additions to your accommodations

How do you contact us?

Please email DSS@lesley.edu to coordinate your supports or to schedule a meeting with a professional DSS staff member.

Questions

What steps should I take to initiate the accommodations and supports process?

We invite you to contact us directly by emailing DSS@lesley.edu to learn about services and start the process.

Who will know about my disability or diagnosis?

Unlike K-12 schools, colleges and universities are only required to provide accommodations when a student chooses to disclose a disability. Your diagnostic information and use of supports provided by Disability Support Services is confidential and not disclosed without your permission.

What should I do if I think I might have a disability?

Students with a wide range of disabilities, both temporary and long term, benefit from supports and accommodations. You may be eligible even if you have not previously received services. The Disability Support Services staff is pleased to be available to all students and may make referrals to appropriate professionals.

How are accommodation letters handled?

We provide standard accommodation letters for all students. Your approved supports and accommodations will continue to be available to you as usual. If you would like to discuss changes or additions to your accommodations, we are always happy to meet with you.

Are there other resources available on campus?

Yes, Lesley University has a range of resources available to all students. Some key resources include:

Undergraduate Advising: advising@lesley.edu (new undergraduate students may reach out to Ren McEachern at mmceache@lesley.edu to schedule an advisor meeting)
Graduate Advising: grad.advising@lesley.edu
Tutoring appointments: Go to WCOnline at Lesley University's Center for Academic Achievement to schedule an appointment. Contact Adam Mooney at amooney2@lesley.edu with questions.
Mental Health Counseling appointments: Email counselingcenter@lesley.edu or visit the Counseling Center website.
Residence Life: reslife@lesley.edu
Financial Aid, Registrar (Academic Records), and Student Accounts: help@lesley.edu
IT help: it@lesley.edu
Security/Public Safety: 617-349-8888
You can also browse the University knowledge base at support.lesley.edu for answers to many questions regarding academic resources, billing, campus resources, financial aid, public safety, registration, tech support, and more.

For more information or assistance accessing these resources, please don't hesitate to contact us.