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The Opportunity Development Center's Disability Services staff is responsible for coordinating services for faculty, staff and students with disabilities. We also serve as a resource for the Vanderbilt community regarding a variety of disability issues such as accessibility, accommodations, etiquette and applicable laws and regulations.

Disability Services Philosophy
Resources for Students with Disabilities
Resources for Staff with Disabilities
Commencement Accommodations
Links to ADA Laws and Accommodations


Disability Services Philosophy

Vanderbilt University is committed to creating an inclusive environment. The Disability Services staff applies this philosophy to individuals with disabilities so that they may be full participants in the Vanderbilt community.

Resources for Students with Disabilities

Decisions about accommodations for students with disabilities are made on an individual basis. However, the following types of disabilities have some typical accommodations outlined below.

Mobility Impairment
Visual Impairment
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Learning Disabilities

Mobility Impairment

  • Provide Campus Access Map detailing the accessibility of Vanderbilt buildings

  • Arrange for classes to be moved if the scheduled location is not accessible

  • Provide keys to non-public-use elevators

  • Obtain additional handicap parking spaces as needed

  • Other accommodations as needed

    Visual Impairment

  • Obtain audio taped or large print textbooks

  • Arrange a short-term loan of audio tape player/recorder

  • Locate readers, transcribers, and/or note takers

  • Arrange mobility orientation to campus

  • Enlarge diagrams, charts, and other educational materials

  • Convert tests, quizzes and handouts to Braille

  • Maintain Reading AdvantEdge and Bookwise computer equipment in the Education Library

  • Other accommodations as needed

    Deaf/Hard of Hearing

  • Arrange for interpreters (sign language, cued speech, etc.) with funding through your state's vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency

  • Locate note takers

  • Other accommodations as needed

    Learning Disabilities

    Upon receiving appropriate documentation, the following accommodations may be made:

  • Provide or arrange for extended time for testing (typically time plus half)

  • Provide an alternate testing environment

  • Obtain audio taped or large print textbooks

  • Arrange a short-term loan of audio tape player/recorder

  • Arrange for a substitution of a foreign language requirement

  • Refer to Learning Center and/or Psychological and Testing Center for study skills and academic tutoring

  • Other accommodations as needed

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    Resources for Staff With Disabilities

    Qualified Applicants With Disabilities (taken from Staff Handbook)
    Essential Job Functions and Reasonable Accommodations

    Qualified Applicants With Disabilities (taken from Staff Handbook)

    Applicants are not required to identify themselves as having a disability; self-identification is strictly voluntary. The job-related skills and experience of all applicants should be evaluated without regard to disability or any accommodations that may be necessary.

    The ADA defines a person with a disability as "qualified" for a position if he or she is able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

    Essential Job Functions and Reasonable Accommodations

    Essential job functions are the fundamental tasks of a job, reasonably defined by the employer, preferably in writing. Accommodations may include changes in facilities, equipment or policies that enable an otherwise qualified person to perform the essential job functions. An accommodation is considered reasonable-and is required-if it effectively allows the person to perform the essential job tasks, while not placing an undue hardship on the employer.

    Decisions about accommodations or undue hardship must be made on an individual basis. Hiring supervisors should contact the Disability Services Staff for assistance whenever a job applicant or employee with a disability requests accommodations.

    Commencement Accommodations

  • The University has reserved parking spaces in the closest parking lots for guests with mobility impairments; however, the total number of parking spaces is limited. To park in one of these reserved spaces a Commencement Disability Parking Permit is required.

  • Requests for permits are honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make your disability parking arrangements as soon as possible. Please Note: Graduates and guests with car license plates or placards indicating a disability will also need to display a Commencement Disability Parking Permit in order to access any reserved campus parking lot on Commencement Day.

  • A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan by prior reservation, and an area within the seating section has been reserved for wheelchair users. Campus maps illustrating accessible entrances to buildings are available.

  • Interpreters for persons with hearing impairments are available with prior notification, and a seating section has been reserved. Guests with hearing impairments who plan to attend the Graduate School ceremony or a professional school hooding and diploma-awarding ceremony may also request an interpreter.

    For information regarding a reserved disability parking permit, to request an interpreter, or to reserve a wheelchair, please contact the Opportunity Development Center as soon as possible.

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    Equal Access Committee

    The Equal Access Committee (EAC) was formed in 1990 to help the Opportunity Development Center achieve equity for persons with disabilities. The Committee consists of members from all areas of the Vanderbilt community: administration, faculty, staff, and students. The Committee Charge is as follows:

    The Equal Access Committee serves as an advisory body to the Chancellor. The Committee works with the Opportunity Development Center, advising and assisting the ODC in fulfilling its functions as follows:

  • Disseminating information to University Community regarding issues relating to persons with disabilities. Committee members serve as a resource for identifying and encouraging the removal of physical and attitudinal barriers.

  • Surveying campus programs and facilities and addressing accessibility concerns. The Committee assists in assuring plans for new construction and campus renovations take into account the specific needs of the University's disability community.

  • Developing means to identify prospective students with disabilities and facilitating their special needs prior to and after enrollment.

  • Identifying ways to attract qualified disabled applicants and to encourage employment of applicants with disabilities.

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    Opportunity Development Center
    P.O. Box 1809, Station B
    Nashville, TN 37235
    (615) 322-4705 (V/TDD)

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