Matthew Tominey appointed director of Office of Student Disability Services

Matthew Tominey has been named the new director of Cornell's Office of Student Disability Services in the Center for Learning and Teaching.

Tominey replaces Joan Fisher, who is retiring and who held the position since 1987. He comes to Cornell from Northwestern University, where he served since August 1997 in a similar capacity as director of disability services.

"Matt brings a diverse set of experiences working with undergraduate, graduate and professional students with disabilities," said Susan Piliero, director of the Center for Learning and Teaching. "In addition to reviewing documentation received from students with disabilities and determining appropriate accommodations, Matt will work with faculty to facilitate those accommodations, conduct educational workshops for faculty and campus staff and develop programs and policies."

The Office of Student Disability Services provides programming and services for Cornell students with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities. The current disability population on campus has grown to more than 600 students. This population growth can be attributed to federal legislation ensuring equal access for persons with disabilities, Piliero said. Qualified students with disabilities are matriculating at institutions of higher education, including graduate and professional schools, in ever increasing numbers.

In his new position, Tominey will be responsible for a full range of services for Cornell undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities and will serve as university compliance officer for student issues under section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The Office of Student Disability Services joined the Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT) in 1999. CLT, located in the Computing and Communications Center, includes, in addition to Disability Services, the Learning Strategies Center, the International Teaching Assistant Training Program and the Office of Instructional Support.

Tominey said he will focus his early efforts on reviewing and refining existing policy and procedures to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to the learning environment. He plans to institute a training program for students with disabilities and campus staff who use assistive technology, such as document conversion equipment, adaptive computer equipment and accessible workstations.

"Assistive technology can be the key that permits students with disabilities independent access to their learning environment," Tominey said.

Among his honors, Tominey was awarded the Bruton Graduate Fellowship for Excellence in 1997 from the University of Texas at Austin, where he expects to receive his doctorate this May in special education, with an emphasis on adults with learning disabilities.

He holds a master's degree in experimental psychology and rehabilitation studies and a bachelor's degree in psychology and interdisciplinary social sciences, both from the University of North Texas. He has worked as a professional in the field of disability service since 1992 at the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Austin and at Northwestern University.

For more information on the Office of Student Disability Services and its programs, visit the web site www.sas.cornell.edu/CLT/campus/sds/sds.welcome.html.