Towson University will provide reasonable accommodation(s) upon request to otherwise qualified employees and students as required by law to ensure equal access to University employment, educational opportunities, programs, services and activities in the most integrated setting, to the extent such accommodation(s) do not impose an undue hardship on the university, constitute a fundamental alteration to a program or compromise academic integrity. In general, it is the responsibility of the employee or student to make their disability status and need for accommodation known.
Once the need for accommodation becomes known, it is the responsibility of the university and the individual with a disability to engage in a dialogue to identify possible accommodations to assess their reasonableness and effectiveness. Determinations regarding accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) responds to requests for accommodations from TU employees and applicants for employment with disabilities.
For employees, a reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things usually are done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy an equal employment opportunity. An equal employment opportunity means an opportunity to attain the same level of performance or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are available to an average similarly situated employee without a disability.
The ADA requires reasonable accommodation in three aspects of employment: 1) to ensure equal opportunity in the application process, 2) to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, and 3) to enable an employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment.
Examples of reasonable accommodations include making existing facilities accessible; job restructuring; part-time or modified work schedules; acquiring or modifying equipment; modifying tests, training materials, or policies; and providing qualified readers or interpreters.
The university will not discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, advancement, discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, other terms, or conditions and privileges of employment. Protection from discrimination in employment applies to all university employees: faculty, staff and students.
For more information and for the Employee Accommodation Request Form please go to the Office of Human Resources website. For questions, please email adarequest AT_TOWSON or call (410) 704-2162 during regular business hours.
Towson University provides applicants and candidates with disabilities accommodations for the application and interview process. To request disability accommodation(s) please submit the Applicant Disability Accommodation Request Form. For questions, please email the Office of Human Resources at adarequest AT_TOWSON or call 410-704-2162 during regular business hours.
In the context of higher education, a reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment in the academic environment that enables a qualified student with a disability equal access to the university's programs, courses, services and activities. Examples of reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to: testing accommodations, note-taking assistance, alternate formats for printed material, interpreting or transcription services, reading and writing software, para-transit registration and internship accommodations.
Disability Support Services (DSS) is the office on campus that works with TU students with disabilities who wish to request an accommodation. A student with a disability is encouraged to register with DSS as soon as possible after admission to the university to ensure timely provision of services.
For more information and for the Disability Support Services Application, please see the Disability Support Services website or call Disability Support Services at (410) 704-2638.
Visitors who have questions regarding accessibility for a particular event or who need to request an accommodation for a disability (e.g., a sign language interpreter) should fill out the Visitor Disability Accommodation Request Form. For questions, please contact the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity by email ada AT_TOWSON or by phone (410) 704-0203.
Towson University is committed to ensuring that Commencement is accessible to all students and members of the public. A student with a disability who needs an accommodation at the ceremony should contact Disability Support Services.
Guests with mobility needs who do not have a state-issued disability license plate or hang tag should park in the designated lot based on whether or not they have a Commencement Graduate permit. If you have a Commencement Graduate permit, you should park as directed by staff in one of the Graduate parking lots (13, 14 or 19) at the Towson Center. If you do not have a Commencement Graduate permit, you should park in the Union garage. Para-transit services will be available from all Towson Center lots to transport guests with mobility needs to the Towson Center. Guests who utilize para-transit services from the Towson Center lots are welcome to have one other member of their party ride the para-transit van with them.
Shuttle buses will also be available to transport guests, including those with mobility needs, from the Union garage to the Towson Center.
After the ceremony, shuttles and para-transit service will be available to transport passengers back to parking lots. For those with mobility needs who are returning to Towson Center lots 13, 14 or 19, please look for posted signs outside of the Towson Center where you were dropped off, or speak with a Parking & Transportation representative. If you are returning to the Union garage, please look for the shuttle buses marked for the “Union Garage.”
Service may be requested by speaking with a Parking & Transportation staff member or by calling 410-704-RIDE (7433).
The University will take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as communications with others. The University will provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford qualified individuals with a disability, including applicants, participants, companions, and members of the public, an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, the services, programs and activities of the University.
The University is committed to affording equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities by providing physical access to its programs, activities and services.
If any individual has difficulty navigating the physical environment of the University, please contact the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity by phone at 410-704-0203 or by email at ada AT_TOWSON.