Skip to content Skip to navigation
Vassar
Skip to global navigation Menu

Accessibility Plan

Working to Improve Accessibility at Vassar

A letter sent to the Vassar community via email on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Dear All,

We thank the VSA for highlighting the importance of accessibility at Vassar, which is front of mind for us, as well.

We are committed to making the Vassar experience readily accessible to members of our campus community. Our focus includes addressing the physical barriers cited by the VSA, but it also extends beyond that to non-physical barriers that restrict access to information or pose emotional and sensory obstacles to immersion in campus life. This work is an institutional priority because it's essential to fostering the supportive, inclusive environment we all value. It’s also a continuous process.

Our college-wide Accessibility Committee, led by the Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources (DOSPAR) with student representation, plays an important role in determining priorities and providing transparency and accountability in the process of making our campus more accessible. These efforts are informed by recent recommendations from the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD).  Earlier this year IHCD completed a campus-wide accessibility audit, drafted inclusive building guidelines for the College and documented accessible routes on campus.

Recently Completed Accessibility Projects

We are investing millions of dollars in a range of accessibility measures across the campus. Examples of recently completed projects include:

  • An enhanced, accessible entrance on the north side of Thompson Memorial Library leading to a new, fully accessible 24-hour Library Study Commons.
  • A Disability Living Room opened at the end of last year in Jewett House, the result of a collaboration between Vassar ACCESS – a student club dedicated to building community for disabled and neurodivergent students and advocating for a more accessible campus – and the Office of Student Living and Wellness.
  • Private reservable spaces in several residence halls for tele-health conversations and other related needs.
  • A new, ADA-compliant passenger elevator in Josselyn that replaced a freight elevator.
  • Automatic-open doors in the Winton Evans Bridge for Laboratory Sciences. 

Upcoming Accessibility Projects

As we invest in accessibility improvements, we try to address multiple needs at once to make the biggest possible impact with our resources. Several additional projects are planned for and scheduled to begin and be completed within the next five years:

  • A multi-year summertime residential hall improvement initiative will include investments in accessibility. In Raymond, a freight elevator will be replaced with a passenger elevator, bathrooms will be renovated, and modifications will make the building accessible from the ground level.
  • Noyes will also have a new accessible elevator, renovated and accessible bathrooms, and a redesigned step-free entrance from Noyes Circle. 
  • A redesigned main entrance to Josselyn will eliminate steps.
  • The renovation and repurposing of Kautz House, which formerly housed the Office of Admission, will include installation of an elevator.
  • The First-Generation, Low Income (FLI) program will move to the first floor of Main to co-locate with the office of Student Growth and Engagement and have improved accessibility.  
  • An elevator will be added to the Old Laundry Building (OLB), home to the Center for Multidisciplinary Study. Entrances will also be made accessible.
  • In addition to capital improvements, we are exploring improvements to campus signage and wayfinding to make it easier for everyone to more easily navigate our expansive campus.
  • Finally, we will be updating our accessibility plan and documenting past achievements on a website in order to increase transparency around this important work.

Beyond Buildings

We think about accessibility broadly, as access extends beyond physical buildings and basic compliance and we’re mindful that invisible disabilities affect many members of our campus community.

To that end, we have also:

  • Completed a web accessibility audit, developed a digital accessibility policy, and implemented training on digital accessibility. 
  • Introduced an accessibility tool kit in our course content management system (Moodle).  
  • Added the position of Director of Inclusive Pedagogy, who fosters equitable teaching and learning environments by supporting faculty and students.
  • Added assistive listening functions to selected spaces.
  • Created a digital campus map that indicates accessible bathrooms and entrances.
  • Added an all-gender changing and shower room at the Walker Field House.
  • Added staff and resources to the Office of Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (AEO) as we are supporting many students to access academic space and materials.

The new Library Study Commons exemplifies our efforts. It enhances physical accessibility, but also includes a variety of space types and design features that consider a range of physical, behavioral and sensory needs. 

Feedback and Partnership

The work to enhance accessibility throughout campus is ongoing. We always welcome constructive input and feedback from the VSA and others in our community as we work together to maximize accessibility for all. We encourage anyone from the community who encounters a physical barrier to fill out a Vassar Accessibility Barrier Report. Students seeking accommodations should contact the Office for Accessibility and Educational Opportunity by calling (845) 437-7584 or emailing aeo@vassar.edu and employees experiencing a barrier in performing their work at Vassar should email benefits@vassar.edu to request an accommodation. 

We look forward to continuing our shared work to make Vassar an accessible and welcoming home for all members of our campus community, now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Marianne H. Begemann (on behalf of all of those who are partners in this work)
Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources