Procedures for Transportation Accommodations
(available in PDF format: Transportation Accommodations )
Students requesting transportation accommodations must register with Student Disability Services. Appointments can be made by calling 607-254-4545. SDS will make a final determination of appropriate accommodations.
The optimal time to visit our office to arrange for transportation services is between 8 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office closes at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 4:00 p.m. on Fridays. If a student cannot get to our office, they should call us during office hours at 607-254-4545 to discuss options.
Documentation Requirements
Bus Passes
Accessible Parking
CULift
Documentation Requirements
To qualify for any transportation services, students need to provide documentation to SDS and meet with an SDS staff member. Documentation must be from a qualified professional and include:
- a diagnosis
- the functional limitations caused by the disability
- the recommended accommodation(s)
- the anticipated length of time services would be required
Students who have an obvious disability may be granted initial services before documentation is supplied; however, it will be required for continuation of services.
Physicians or physical therapists may fax documentation to our office at 607-255-1562. A copy of the Verification of a Disability for Medical, Physical or Sensory Disabilities Form, which outlines the necessary information, can be found at:
Verification of a Disability for Physical, Medical or Sensory Disabilities Form (Word format)
Verification of a Disability for Physical, Medical or Sensory Disabilities Form (PDF format)
Bus Passes
Students can obtain bus passes directly from the SDS office upon review of disability documentation and approval for a bus pass by an SDS staff member. If the needed accommodation period is two months or less, monthly TCAT bus passes will be provided. If an OmniRide pass is granted (generally when the accommodation period is longer than 2 months), the student will be asked to complete and sign a Student Permit/Transit Form that will be sent to Transportation Services.
Note: SDS is not responsible for replacing lost or stolen passes. In the event of a lost or stolen pass, the student is responsible for paying for replacements or the cash fare for the remaining time period.
Accessible Parking
Once approved for accessible parking by an SDS staff member, students must take a letter provided by SDS to Commuter & Parking Services at 116 Maple Avenue to obtain a permit (please use the Accessible Entrance at the rear of the building). Note that students must pay a fee to Commuter & Parking Services for this service. Additional information on accessible parking on the Cornell campus can be found at the Commuter & Parking Services web site at: Commuter_and_Parking_Services/tms3_accesstudent.html
CULift
CULift runs from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday when classes are in session (including summer). The service has use of wheelchair accessible buses as well as several vans and cars.
CULift service will begin 24-36 hours after the student's initial meeting with Student Disability Services. (If rides are needed the next day, the initial meeting should take place before 11:00 a.m.) At the registration meeting, the Transportation Coordinator will provide a CULift registration packet. This packet includes copies of the CULift schedule templates that are required for all CULift riders as well as a copy of the CULift guidelines. The CULIFT Guidelines can be found at: http://sds.cornell.edu/CuLift_Guidelines.doc
If the student does not have the required medical documentation, the Transportation Coordinator can fax the Verification of a Disability Form to his or her physician (the student will need to provide a fax number if the physician is not local). During the meeting, the program will be explained in detail and all necessary paperwork completed.
Following the registration meeting, an email will be sent to the student with electronic copies of the CULift schedule templates attached. (These templates can be opened using Microsoft Word.) Using the CULift Permanent Template, students submit permanent schedules that includes all regular rides (e.g., classes, rehearsals, sports practice). Unless changes are made, this schedule will automatically be used each week for the duration of the CULift service.
Changes are allowed to the CULift permanent schedule. However, the CULift is unable to provide on-call service; all requests for ride additions or changes must be submitted by 8:00 a.m. the business day before the requested change. Change requests are to be made using the CULift Changes Template (also attached to the CULift registration email).
To submit CULift templates, students attach a completed template to an email addressed to culift@cornell.edu. The student will be sent a reply email verifying that the request was received and whether it has been approved.
The end date of CULift service is determined by the information provided by the physician on the Verification of a Disability Form. Students on the service will receive notice from the Transportation Coordinator approximately one week before the accommodation is set to expire. Students may choose to end service at the end date, or they may obtain additional documentation to remain on the CULift. (Students may also voluntarily end CULift service at any time if fewer or different transportation accommodations are needed by sending an email to the Transportation Coordinator at culift@cornell.edu with a request to end the service.)