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Harvard University Disability Resources (UDR) values disability as integral to our rich diversity

Welcome

Our office provides leadership to University efforts to ensure an accessible, inclusive welcoming learning and working environment for individuals with disabilities while complying with federal and state regulations. 

UDR serves as a central resource for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on disability-related information, procedures and services for our community. We also provide expertise in the development, implementation, and acquisition for best and promising disability-related University practices. 

Three hands with temporary UDR logo tattoos on them

UDR offers the following services

Consultation

UDR is available to consult with community members related to best practices for accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Consultation may be initiated by a phone call (617.495.1859 or TTY 617.496.0466), or email to disabilityresources@harvard.edu. Examples of topics community members may wish to consult on:  

  • Resources available to students and employees with disabilities  
  • Accommodations statements for programs, events, and applications 
  • Responding to student, employee, and/or visitor reasonable accommodation requests  
  • Best practices for running inclusive and accessible programs 
  • When and how to provide captioning and/or audio descriptions for video or online content 
  • How to run accessible in-person, remote, or hybrid events 
  • Assessing physical accessibility of spaces used for programs and activities 
  • Access for service animals in campus spaces 
  • Effective communication with community members who are deaf or hard of hearing 

Training

UDR is happy to provide education in support of increasing accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities in our community. UDR will tailor trainings or topical discussions for departments if a group of ten or more persons agree to participate. UDR also offers a general Disability Inclusion class through Harvard’s Center for Workplace Development. 

Technology and Equipment

UDR’s Assistive Technology Library and Lab (ATLL) offers people the ability to try out technology to see if it is helpful to them. The ATLL also loans assistive technology and equipment such as wheelchairs or assistive listening devices, to any member of our community. 

Accommodations

Harvard community members with questions about reasonable accommodations for themselves or others may contact UDR at disabilityresources@harvard.edu for consultation. 

*Community members may wish to review UDR’s website for general guidance related to accessibility and our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn answers to common questions

News & Events

Comedians with Disabilities Act

UDR and Common Spaces hosted a February 8, 2024 comedy show featuring the Comedians with Disabilities Act. All community members were welcome.

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution viewing

Date: Thursday, October 19th at 5:30pm Location: Countway Cinema in the Countway Library located at 10 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115 Join us for an abbreviated screening of Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution . A film discussion and Q&A session will...

Black Mental Health Experiences: Storytelling & Music

The Longwood Campus Black Staff Caucus, the MIND Project, and Countway Library proudly present Black Mental Health Experiences: Storytelling & Music. This event aims to raise awareness and foster dialogue about the mental health experiences of Black...

Authentic Inclusion Drives Innovation

Presentation by Frances West, video now available! ( Harvard Affiliates Only ) - Link to Authentic Inclusion Drives Innovation Presented by the Institute for Human Centered Design, this documentary film and research project reexamines the experience of...