Reader Services

Reading Services Guidelines

Eligibility
  • Students with a documented disability of Blindness or Visual impairment.
  • Documentation on file with the Office of AccessABILITY must clearly state the need for this service.
Student Responsibilities
  • Reading service request forms should be completed immediately after registering for a course and are due no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Please have in mind the days and times that you would want to schedule your reading sessions when filling out the Request for Services Form.
  • AccessABILITY provides two hours of reading per week for each course. Depending on the course content, students may request additional reading time to be approved by the office. However, the use of other sources beyond a reader is necessary and must be utilized.
  • All reading sessions must take place on campus locations only. The use of the library study rooms or the Access Center is recommended.
Notify Office of AccessABILITY of any Schedule Changes
  • Such as dropping or withdrawing from a course.
  • If a student adds a course in the first three weeks of a term, he/she will be expected to use alternative reading methods, (see section on other reading sources), until our office locates and assigns a reader.
Absence
  • Readers will remain at the reading location for 15 minutes. If the student has not arrived, the reader will leave and report the absence to the OA.
  • If a student knows of an impending absence from a reading session, he/she must notify the OA at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled reading time. Three absences without proper notification and medical documentation will result in the termination of services.
Materials to be Read
  • Readers will read the student whatever course-related material the student requests within the two hours a week time-frame.
  • However, we advise that the student acquire their textbooks on tape or digital recording in order to maximize the use of their reading services. (Please see the section on other reading sources).
Time Sheets

Students must initial readers’ time sheets at every reading session as well as sign the time sheets every two weeks.

Contact with Reader and AccessABILITY
  • Students and readers should exchange emails and phone numbers so that they may reach each other directly if needed.
  • Students should reserve a room in the library for reading sessions and inform AccessABILITY of the location and times.
  • Please contact the Coordinator of Class Accommodations, by phone 212-772-4883, or stop by E1214B:
    • If a student has concerns regarding reading
    • If a Reader is late
    • If a Reader is absent
Other Reading Resources

To accomplish all of the reading required of a college course, the use of other resources beyond a reader is necessary. These other methods include volunteer readers of the Lighthouse for the Blind, books on tape, and use of the Reading Edge machine and other screen reading software available in the Hunter College Access Center.

Volunteer Readers

For Volunteer Readers, contact the Lighthouse for the Blind.

Lighthouse for the Blind
East 59th Street (between Lexington and Park)
New York, New York
212-821-9200
lighthouse.org