FAQ
Q: What is FIT-ABLE?
A: As a public institution, FIT is responsible to provide access to education for
all otherwise qualified students with disabilities. An otherwise qualified student
with a disability is one who meets the academic and technical qualifications of their
major.
The Office of Disability Support Services, FIT-ABLE, provides programs, services,
and advocacy for students to faculty, staff, and administration to ensure than an
FIT student, regardless of disability, is able to become industry ready and self-sufficient.
Q: Is there a special admissions program because I'm a person with a disability?
A: FIT does not have an admissions program selectively for students with disabilities.
You are entitled to receive an education, meeting the same standards, as all students.
Q: What accommodations can be made to help me be a successful college student?
A: The law that protects and assures students a free and appropriate public education
in high school is the IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. At the post-secondary,
or college level, a student is protected by different civil rights legislation. Once
you have chosen to self-identify as having a disability after being admitted to a
major of study in college, certain legally-mandated reasonable accommodations are by FIT-ABLE.
These reasonable accommodations must be requested or initiated by each student because
FIT-ABLE works with each student individually, case-by-case, and course-by-course.
The impact any disability has on an individual can vary from semester to semester.
Reasonable accommodations are meant to level the playing field for a student with
a disability. Since you have been admitted, we know that you have met those academic
and technical qualifications of your major. With reasonable accommodations in place
from the beginning, you will have the fairest chance at doing the best or the worst...the
same as any other FIT student. You can do your work, but may need to take a different
route to get to the same end results.
You are encouraged to take that first step by Registering with FIT-ABLE and then checking your FIT email for
More information on accommodations.
Q: What kind of documentation about my disability do I need to provide?
A:
Please see our Documentation page.
Q: How do I communicate with my professors about my disability?
A: You are here to learn. Faculty need to learn about you. A dialogue should be established
by your meeting with each of your instructors early on. Set up a meeting during their
office hours. Approach your meeting with confidence, as if you were going on a job
interview. The tone you set during your first meeting starts with a firm hand-shake,
an introduction of you by name (not by disability), and a sense that you are comfortable
with who you are, living with your disability, and determined to accept what FIT and
your major has to offer.
Maintain contact with your faculty throughout the semester and with FIT-ABLE.
Q: What other strategies will help me make the most of my time at FIT?
A: Several support personnel are here to assist you. Even if you attended college
previously, each student comes to FIT with a different level of preparedness and expectations.
Ask questions. Take notes.
Keep a schedule. You need to establish your own structure so that you can meet the
demands you will confront.
Know yourself. Keep a small notebook in your pocket to record items of interest or
a word you've never heard before. At the end of each day, review your notes and look
up words or establish filing systems to stay on track.
If you do not understand a project you need to complete, meet with your professor
FIRST before wasting valuable time doing something you didn't need to do. In other
words, communication is key.
Establishing a calendar with scheduled appointments, even though you may have a busy
schedule of classes and may also work a part-time job is a way of respecting those
at the college who are here to assist you. You want to have the time necessary to
address your problems and concerns in each meeting. The person with whom you meet
should be able to have the same time afforded them to answer and to discuss your issues.
Learn boundaries. Understand that it's not only about your time but it's about everybody's
time for each interaction to be mutually beneficial and rewarding.
Make the most of your time now at FIT so that when you become a leader in your field,
you will be the best equipped in knowing how to self-advocate for your reasonable
accommodations, if necessary, and will have developed the life skills necessary to
participate.
Q: Does FIT have a sign language interpreter?
A: Sign Language interpreters are avaliable upon request and you are encouraged to
make this request prior to your classes beginning. If you are a student taking courses
here at FIT, please Register with FIT-ABLE and meet with a Counselor.
For all other interpreter requests, please complete our Interpreter Request Form.
Contact Information:
FIT-ABLE
Main Office Phone Number: (212) 217-4090
Email: [email protected]
Location: Room A570, bridge between buildings A and B in the Dubinsky Student Center
Office Hours: 9-5 P