Bryn Mawr 101: Access Services

Tell us about your office. How do students utilize Access Services?

Guided by the Social Model of Disability, Access Services’ mission is to identify and dismantle structural and attitudinal barriers to accessibility on our campus in collaborative partnership with our students, faculty, and staff. To ensure equitable access for individuals who self-identify with a disability, Access Services engages in an interactive process to determine individual accommodations, addressing any barriers that cannot be proactively eliminated. Access Services embraces disability as one aspect of a person’s multiple identities that enriches Bryn Mawr College’s vibrant community.

"Access Services embraces disability as one aspect of a person’s multiple identities that enriches Bryn Mawr College’s vibrant community."

A student may choose to connect with us if they identify as disabled or have a disability and want to discuss what supports may be available to them at college. These could be formal requests for accommodations or more informal conversations about being disabled at Bryn Mawr. We’re happy to work with any student at any point in their journey. 

Our staff includes Joanna Timmerman as the Director of Access Services and Robyn Suchy as the Assistant Director of Access Services, who works closely with Grace Cipressi, who is the Assistive Technology Specialist at Bryn Mawr and works on the Education and Scholarly Technology team within Library, Information, and Technology Services. 

What do you enjoy most about the work you do in Access Services?  

Joanna: Personally, I most enjoy the time that I get to spend one-on-one with students in their initial meetings with our office. I am privileged, grateful, and humbled to be able to be in spaces with students where they’re sharing their life, experiences, and identity (including the hard stuff) with me, especially when it's their first time meeting me. I do truly want the process to feel interactive – I so enjoy problem-solving with students (and folks across BMC) to make college accessible. 

"We’re happy to work with any student at any point in their journey."

Robyn: Though I’m still new to the Access Services office at Bryn Mawr, a throughline of my career in higher education has been supporting student advocacy, both as self-advocates and as leaders looking to better their campus communities. I’m excited to continue working with students to identify where they can be self-advocates and where the campus structures, culture, and community can continue to grow.  

What resources and services does your office provide for students?  

Primarily, our office works to determine and support the implementation of accommodations for students with disabilities. These can be academic accommodations like extended time on exams, permission to audio record lectures, or use of assistive technology in the classroom; residential accommodations like a single-occupancy room or air conditioning; or other accommodations. Accommodations are determined on an individual basis through an interactive process. 

How do you partner with faculty and other campus departments to support students?  

We work with faculty in many ways! Often, we work with them to ensure the appropriate implementation of accommodations: helping to make sure that course materials are accessible to all students, answering questions about accommodations, and providing support through the Testing Center for quizzes and exams. We also work proactively with faculty about using Universal Design for Learning in their courses and provide workshops and opportunities to connect about accessibility in the classroom. 

Access Services collaborates with offices all across campus on a variety of projects. You may see us partnering with the Impact Center to support programming on International Day of Persons with Disabilities or with The Office of Residential Life to talk about Emotional Support Animals. We work closely with our Facilities staff on campus infrastructure, too. As part of the Student Success team, we’re constantly working with the Class Deans and our colleagues in Academic Support, the First Year Experience, and Global Engagement to ensure accessible college experiences for our students. 

What should an enrolling first-year student know about Access Services before arriving on campus?  

An enrolling first-year student should know that we are here whenever they are ready for us! Students do not need to submit any third-party documentation before they meet with us, nor do they necessarily need to have had an IEP or 504 plan in high school to be eligible for accommodations in college. The most important thing that an enrolling student who identifies as disabled can do is meet with us. We want to get to know you! If possible, get to know us early! It’s best if we have the time to determine accommodations the summer before you arrive, since accommodations cannot be retroactive and may take time to implement. However, you’re welcome to come and see us anytime once you're on campus. 

Broadly, any student who wants to connect with staff in our office should email Access Services (accessservices@brynmawr.edu). We’ll then get you connected with the right person and onto their calendar. For quick connections: Joanna and Robyn are on the 1st floor of Guild – if our doors are open, come on in to say hi!