Contact the ADA Coordinator
Crystal C. Coombes
ADA Coordinator
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
MS: #2C2
Voice: 703-993-8730
Fax: 703-993-8899
ccoombes@gmu.edu
George Mason University is a welcoming and inclusive environment for people with disabilities. Mason views any student or employee with disabilities — or any other kind of difference — as another individual who adds to the rich diversity of our university community.
We are committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities. We are continually refining and improving seamless access to all that our great university has to offer.
Role of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator
Do you have questions about disability in the workplace? Need help figuring out if a health issue is a disability and what that means for job duties and performance? Have questions about how your policies and procedures might impact an employee with a disability? Do you want training for your department?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator works within the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to oversee accessibility and accommodation for visitors and employees with disabilities.
The ADA Coordinator’s office:
- Assists in determining reasonable accommodations for employees and visitors.
- Collaborates with university offices, government agencies, and advocacy groups regarding accessibility issues.
- Consults with employees and supervisors to resolve disability-related workplace concerns.
- Reviews policies and procedures to ensure non-discrimination practices.
- Provides technical assistance and direction for university policies with respect to the concerns of people with disabilities and in compliance with state and federal mandates.
- Is available to provide support and guidance to professional and instructional staff through consultation and training.
What is Accessibility and Why is it Important?
The fulfillment of the rights of people with disabilities to barrier-free participation is a benchmark of Mason's mandate of inclusion, in addition to federal law. While accessibility is a very broadly used term, in the context of the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, its use is directly related to providing the same choices and access to community members with disabilities as to non-disabled community members.
What is Accessibility Access?
To meet a high standard of inclusion, Mason strives to provide an environment that accommodates the following examples of accessibility.
Physical Accessibility
Parking lots and spaces
Entrances and exits
Emergency safety plans
Classrooms, conference rooms, event venues and shared work spaces
Desks and personal work space
Hallways
Stairwells
Elevators
Restrooms
Dining spaces
Technological Accessibility
Web-based intranet and internet information and applications
Email and other electronic correspondence
Software applications and operating systems
Telecommunications products
Video and multimedia products
Desktop and portable computers
Self-contained, closed products such as calculators, copier machines, and printers
Online job applications
Attitudinal Accessibility
Equality
Avoidance of stereotypes
Education and training for faculty and staff regarding disability access
Bias avoidance
Privacy and confidentiality
Non-discrimination