Disability Services

 

Accommodations & Services

 

Once appropriate documentation has been supplied to the Coordinator of Disability Services and the determination has been made that the documentation supports the need for accommodation (see Policy 3.00), the student and Coordinator of Disability Services will draw up an Accommodation Plan.  The Accommodation Plan will remain in effect either until (1) the plan’s date of expiration passes or (2) the student requests an accommodation not previously listed on the plan.  In the event of the second, the Accommodation Plan will be adjusted in accordance with the student’s documentation supporting the request.

            Specific procedures in terms of how to request particular accommodations, the amount of advance notice that must be given and who is in charge of various services will be delineated below.

            The student will be responsible for notifying faculty of any accommodations that he or she may be accessing in relationship to the faculty member’s class.  The student will be given a memo from the Coordinator of Disability Services detailing the authorized accommodations in relationship to the class.

            If the accommodations listed in the Accommodation Plan are not provided or are not effective in providing equal access, the student should follow the procedures for filing a grievance listed in Policy and Procedure 9.00.

            How to request: [please make links to these items]

            · Test Accommodations
            · Note Taking Services
            · Textbooks on tape or in Braille
            · Course Materials to be converted to an Alternative Format
            · A Sign Language Interpreter
            · Early Enrollment
            · Other Requests

6.01.a Requesting Accommodations for Tests

  • Pick up a Test Accommodation Request form at the Learning Center each time you have a test or it can printed from this link [test form link]

  • Fill out the top, purple, half-sheet form completely.  Be sure to note the type(s) of accommodation that you are requesting, as indicated on your Accommodation Memo.

  • Give the form to the secretary or the Coordinator of Disability Services.  DO NOT leave this form on a desk.

  • Schedule with the secretary or the Coordinator of Disability Services the day and time you will take the test in the Learning Center.  We will first attempt to schedule the test at the same time your class is taking the test.  If the Learning Center is completely booked, you may need to take your test at an alternative time.

  • Tests must be scheduled at least 48 hours prior to the test day and time.

  • Under no circumstances will taking a test in the Learning Center be an excuse for missing a class.  If an exam could potentially interfere with your next class, then the exam will be scheduled at a different time.  You may be asked to start your exam at an earlier time than the class to avoid a time conflict.

  • Fill in your name and class period on the yellow form. 

  • Take the yellow form to your instructor.  Your instructor must receive this form at least 48 hours before the test. 

  • The instructor is responsible for getting the test to the Learning Center.

Procedure 6.01.b Taking a Test in the Learning Center

  • You are expected to arrive at the scheduled time of the exam.  It is suggested that you arrive a few minutes early to prepare yourself for the exam.

  • If you arrive late, it is the discretion of the Coordinator of Disability Services whether or not the exam will be given.  It may be rescheduled or deferred to the instructor’s decision.

  • You will be asked to lock your personal effects in one of the lockers located in the Learning Center.  All books, bags, coats, etc. must be secured in a locker. 

  • You will only be allowed to take into the exam room the items indicated by the instructor on their instruction sheet.  The Learning Center will supply any needed scrap paper.  Learning Center staff will not and can not deviate from the instructor’s instructions. 

  • Learning Center staff may ask to search any item that a student is authorized to take into an exam. 

  • You are allowed to take minimal food and drink into an exam.  Care should be taken to ensure these items do not spoil or ruin exam materials.  The Learning Center staff may choose to not allow some food and drink at their discretion.

  • When you finish an exam, it must be turned into the secretary or the Coordinator of Disability Services.  Under no circumstances should you leave without turning the exam in to the proper person.

  • You will be monitored while taking the exam.  Other students may be in the room in which you take an exam.  They also will be testing.

  • A test proctor may confront a student about any activity that he or she deems suspicious.  A student found in possession of any testing aid not authorized by the instructor would be considered to be cheating.  The test will be terminated immediately and the instructor will be notified.  The instructor will determine the appropriate course of action with regard to the student’s grade.  The Dean of Students will be notified.  Written notation of the event will be entered into the student’s file held by the Coordinator of Disability Services. 

  •  If you feel that you have been unfairly accused of cheating, you may file a grievance as outlined in Procedure 9.00.

Procedure 6.01.c Requesting Note Taking Services

  • Students who are authorized to receive note taking services on their Accommodation Plan are encouraged to enroll for classes during early registration. 

  • Each semester, a student should fill out the Request for Note Taking Services [link to form] in the Learning Center.  This form must be filled out each semester as class schedules change.

  • The form should be turned in as soon as possible.  Requests for note taking services received after the start of the semester may take up to three weeks to fill.

  • At the start of each semester, you will be asked to sign the Contract for Note Taking services.  Please review this contract carefully.  You will receive a copy of the contract.

Procedure 6.01.d Requesting Textbooks on Tape or in Braille

(See Procedure 6.01.e for other materials)

  • Students who are authorized to receive textbooks on tape on their authorized Accommodation Plan are encouraged to enroll for classes during early registration.

  • Students who have their own account with Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) or other lending library are encouraged to order their own books.  Learning Center staff can assist you if you need help identifying the titles, authors, etc.

  •  If you do not have an account with Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, you must fill out the Request for Textbooks on Tape form [link to form] and turn it in to the Coordinator of Disability Services as soon as possible. 

  • Please note, books ordered from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic take approximately four weeks to arrive.  If a book is not available from RFB&D, it will take approximately three weeks to get the first installment of the book recorded/Brailled on campus.  Students are encouraged to place their orders early.

  • If a textbook is being recorded/Brailled on campus, you must provide the Coordinator of Disability Services with a copy of your course syllabus before recording/Brailling can start.  Knowing the order of the chapters is crucial for timely recording and Brailling.

  • Tapes of books recorded on campus or Brailled material will be available on Fridays from the office of the Coordinator of Disability Services.  If tapes Braille are not picked up for two weeks, recording and/or Brailling of the book will stop until the student notifies the Coordinator of Disability Services otherwise. 

 Procedure 6.01.e Requesting Course Materials to be Converted to an Alternative Form

  • If you need materials related to your course(s) converted to audiotape or Braille you should fill out the Request for Alternative Format [link to form] form available in he Learning Center.  The materials you need converted should be attached.

  • The time required to convert the materials will depend on the length of the material and the time of the semester.  All efforts will be made to get the materials converted in a timely manner.

  • You are always free to use the scanner and “Open Book Unbound” software to convert materials yourself. 

Procedure 6.01.f Requesting Sign Language Interpreter

  • Students who are authorized to receive sign language interpreting services are encouraged to enroll for classes during early registration.

  • As soon as you know your class schedule for the upcoming semester, you should visit with the Coordinator of Disability Services about arranging for sign language interpreters.

  • At the start of each semester you will be asked to sign the Contract for Interpreter Services.  Please review this contract carefully.  You will be given a copy of the contract.

Procedure 6.01.g Early Enrollment

  • Students with a disability related need are allowed to enroll on the early enrollment day and on subsequent days after that. 

  • If you believe that you are eligible for early enrollment, you should fill out the Request for Early Enrollment [link to form here] form available in the Learning Center and at the Registrar’s office.

  • This form should be completed at least three weeks prior to the start of enrollment and turned in to the Coordinator of Disability Services.

  • You will receive a post card in the mail indicating if your request has been approved or denied.  If approved, your name will be sent to the Registrar so your Permit to Enroll will be released early. 

  • If your request has been approved, you will need to enroll through the Learning Center.  You may choose to see a department advisor or the Coordinator of Disability Services for advisement.

Procedure 6.01.h All Other Requests

  • To request all other services or special needs, a student should visit with the Coordinator of Disability Services.  You can do this either by setting up an appointment, calling or emailing. 

  • Requests should be in agreement with your Accommodation Plan and you should allow as much lead time as possible for the accommodation need to be met.

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