ACCESSING DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

The following are typical services and supports arranged through the DSSO. Actual accommodations are based on disability-related need and are determined case-by-case and course-by-course.

• Alternate testing formats, time limits, and locations

• Note-takers and scribes

• Sign-language interpreters

• Textbooks and classroom media in accessible format.

• Assistive technology, software and equipment (e.g. Kurzweil, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Personal FM Systems)

• Academic advisement, assistance and advocacy
 

Steps to Take:

Contact the Disability Support Services Office (DSSO) and arrange to meet with the coordinator or, submit a Disability Declaration and Accommodations Request Form.

When you meet with the coordinator, be prepared to:

• Discuss your needs and request accommodations for specific classes for which you are registered.

• Provide documentation that is recent, relevant, verifies functional limitations, and supports your accommodation requests.

• Familiarize yourself with JCC’s Policy Statement for Students With Disabilities 

• Review the Association on Higher Education and Disability’s AHEAD Best Practices: Disability Documentation in Higher Education.

Once reasonable accommodations have been agreed upon:

• A letter will be sent to you and to your instructors authorizing your accommodations.

• You will need to meet with each of your instructors to arrange the logistics of your accommodations (e.g. time and location for your tests, identifying classroom assistants, etc.).

• Keep the coordinator apprised of any needed modifications to your requests.

Keep in mind:

• Disability documentation from high school does not follow you to college

• All accommodations are arranged on a case-by-case, course-by-course basis and do not automatically carry over from semester to semester.

• For those requests beyond the scope of authority of the disability services coordinator to decide there is a Special Modification Requests Procedure  and written requests are heard by a committee appointed by the academic dean.

• The college can best meet the needs of students if requests for accommodations are made as soon as possible after a master schedule is published. For those students who have a disability requiring services from outside the college, such as alternate media or sign-language interpreters, we strongly urge three months advance notice.

• All disability related information is treated confidentially.

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What Students Need to Know (text version)