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Disability Services

Ernest Oversen, Director
MAC 111, Main Academic Complex

(732) 224-2730
TTY (732) 842-4211
FAX (732) 530-7417 

The Disability Services Office (DSO) assists students with disabilities to access the many resources at Brookdale. The College provides numerous academic opportunities, cultural enrichment and a wide array of social activities. Adjusting to college life and its academic demands requires advisement, support and a great deal of information.

At Brookdale there are many students with disabilities. A recent Student Satisfaction Survey of students with disabilities indicated that they find a welcoming and supportive environment at Brookdale. We are continuing to make services and facilities even better, and are committed to providing the physical facilities and academic environment that enable our students to reach their academic goals.

Qualifications

If you self-identify through the Disability Services Office, provide appropriate documentation of your disability and request specific services, you will qualify for services, and reasonable accommodations which are appropriate for the college level and are recommended in the documentation.

Students have a wide variety of disabilities--the services and accommodations that they receive are just as varied. Our students with disabilities are treated as individuals, and their needs are handled on a case-by-case basis with high confidentiality standards.

Parking Privileges

All motor vehicles parked in handicapped parking must display a valid permit, and the driver or passenger must be disabled. Anyone found using a handicapped permit issued to another person is subject to a summons and forfeiture of the handicapped permit.

Permits considered valid are:
•           State of New Jersey-approved placard or license plate.
•           Brookdale-issued temporary placard.

Not valid are:
•           Expired Brookdale-issued temporary placards.
•           Old Brookdale-issued decals (wheelchair silhouette).

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Individuals with physical disabilities may remain in a building during an emergency evacuation condition only if they are non-ambulatory, or when elevator assistance is essential for their evacuation and they are located either above or below the ground floor.

All other persons with disabilities should evacuate the building in an emergency evacuation condition. Elevators must not be used during an emergency evacuation condition unless use is authorized by an appropriate emergency responder (e.g. Police, Fire). If necessary, individuals who are sight impaired should seek assistance from any of the building's occupants.

If evacuation is necessary, follow these procedures:

•           If on the ground floor, exit by normal means to the suggested external Assembly Area
•           If above or below the ground floor, seek a safe location/room, preferably one with a window, communication device and a solid door.
•           If possible, dial 911 (or have someone call for you) to contact the College Police Dispatcher and advise that you are a person with a physical disability (identify the disability) and are in need of rescue assistance from an emergency responder. Provide your building, floor and room number and telephone number from which the call is being placed. If it is safe to do so, remain by the phone. The dispatcher will periodically contact the individual to keep them informed.
•           If a telephone is not readily accessible, have someone advise an emergency responder of your specific location.
•           In Lincroft's MAC, MAE, MAN and NAS buildings it may be feasible to move horizontally to a section of the building not affected by the emergency.
•           College Police will issue a verbal 'all clear' via bullhorn, etc. indicating that it is safe to re-enter the building.

A copy of the Building Evacuation & Suggested Rescue Area Guide is available from Campus Police and the Office of Student Life and Activities.