The State University of New York (SUNY), the nation’s largest comprehensive public education system, recently underwent an audit to ascertain its commitment to providing equal access to its programs and campuses for students with disabilities.
The investigation spanned from July 2018 through October 2022 and revealed that while six major SUNY campuses, including Binghamton University and Stony Brook University, actively facilitated academic accommodations, there were discrepancies in disability self-reporting and data documentation.
For instance, SUNY Morrisville lacked proper documentation for 13 students regarding disability self-reporting, and Binghamton University’s reporting method differed from its peers.
Furthermore, while the campuses met the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) for their facilities, the audit highlighted 170 potential areas for improvement, particularly regarding the height of specific amenities like bathroom fixtures. Recommendations from the audit emphasize the need for accurate and consistent data reporting and underscore the importance of continually re-evaluating and enhancing accessibility measures across all campuses.
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