CASS

Getting Started: Credit: Beth Larranaga

Welcome to Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS).

Caltech is committed to maintaining a diverse academic community, and welcoming individuals with a broad spectrum of talents and experiences to its campus and programs. Students with disabilities, actively participating in all aspects of the Caltech experience, are an essential part of that diversity.

CASS will make every reasonable effort to provide academic adjustments and other reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified students with known disabilities, consistent with Caltech's obligations under applicable law; including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Our goal is to provide students with disabilities equal access to all Institute programs, activities and services. To that end, we seek to balance the student's right to access with our obligation to protect the integrity of Institute programs, activities and services.

Deadlines for Incoming Undergraduates:

For placement exam accommodations: May 29, 2020
Housing accommodations: July 12, 2020
Fall Term academic accommodations: September 1, 2020

*Please note that the deadline for new/updated documentation for residential accommodations for the 2020-2021 housing lottery for both undergraduate and graduate students is March 9^th, 2020.

If you are a returning student registered with CASS, and wish to renew a housing accommodation for the upcoming year, please contact us with your request by then.

If you are not registered, but wish to request a new housing accommodation, please complete the registration form and submit all relevant medical documentation by March 9, 2020 for full consideration.

Information about the registration process and relevant forms can be found below. We hope you will contact us if you have any questions.

Email cass@caltech.edu | 626.395.6352 (undergraduates) | 626.395.6346 (graduate students)

Undergraduate Students:

Dr. Lesley Nye, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students and Accessibility Services Coordinator

Beth Larranaga, Office Manager - Dean of Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students:

Dr. Kate McAnulty, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Accessibility Services Coordinator

Jacob Dalton, Administrative Assistant, Dean of Graduate Studies Office

Accommodation Process:

1. Complete the CASS Registration Form

2. Complete and sign the Medical Consent Form (if required), and give it to your licensed health care provider.

3. Submit supporting documentation completed by a qualified licensed health care provider.

4. Request a meeting with CASS to facilitate interactive process for evaluating reasonable accommodation.

5. Student will be notified by CASS of decision and right to appeal if accommodation is denied

6. If academic accommodations are granted, provide CASS Accommodation letter to affected faculty

7. If service, or emotional support animal, is approved sign the Service or Emotional Support Animal Agreement*

Forms and/or Instructions for:

• Medical Disability Documentation Form

• Service Animal / Emotional Support Animal Request*

• Emotional Support Animal Agreement

• Guidelines for Learning Disabilities

• Documentation for Academic Accommodations

• Temporary Medical Conditions

• Allergy Form

• Dietary Restrictions Form

Additional Resources:

*Please remember that authorization for a service or emotional support animals in Caltech housing must be renewed every year.