Center for Student Success

Accommodations

The Center for Student Success is responsible for handling accessibility issues and academic accommodation requests. Both prospective and current students, with documented disabilities, are served through this department. Interested individuals must request services on the basis of disabling condition, and provide the required documentation.

If You are a Student with a Disability—What are the Main Things You Need to Know?

  • Know your disability and how it affects you!
    • Have a copy of the written, professional diagnosis
    • Understand your strengths and weaknesses
    • Know what accommodations you will be requesting and why
  • Know the difference in the laws and responsibilities
    • Will I be receiving the same kinds of services I had in High School?
    • Find the Disability Services Office
  • Know your reading and math skill levels
    • If they are lower than college level, what is your plan?
    • Consider your courses and major carefully
  • Know how to effectively self-advocate
  • Know that behavior and performance do count
  • Learn how to study independently
  • Technology, technology, technology--learn it, use it!

Accommodations Should:

  1. Allow a student with a disability equal participation in and benefit from all programs and activities
  2. Level the playing field to avoid penalizing for disability-related factors
  3. Make it possible for an instructor to fairly evaluate the student's understanding of the material.

Accommodations Should Not:

  1. Fundamentally alter the essential objectives of an academic program, curriculum or course, or lower the standards.
  2. Threaten the safety or health of self or others.
  3. Cause an undue financial hardship.
  4. Cross the line between accommodations and personal devices or services.

Eligibility Requirements for Students Requesting Accommodations

To be eligible for accommodations through CSS, students are required to provide written documentation of their disability. Documentation must be signed and dated by a qualified professional.

If necessary, the CSS staff can help students find the appropriate professionals to diagnose their disability.

Available Accommodations (for students with a documented disability) consist of but is not limited to:

  • Sign Language Interpreters
  • Real-Time Reporting
  • Assistive Listening Device
  • Tape Recording Written Materials
  • Test Accommodations
  • Tape Recording Lectures
  • Print Enlargement
  • Note Taking Assistance
  • Learning Station Modification
  • Extended Test Time

Please remember that before the start of each semester, students seeking accommodations must contact CSS to review and schedule special services and accommodations.

ACCOMMODATIONS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY CARRY OVER TO THE NEXT SEMESTER.  STUDENTS MUST MEET WITH THE DIRECTOR EACH SEMESTER PRIOR TO ANY SERVICES OR ACCOMMODATIONS BEING RENDERED. Failure to inform CSS prior to the start of the semester may delay notification to instructors and timeliness of acquiring accommodations.

Student Responsibilites (for students with disabilities)

  1. Self-identify
  2. Self-advocate
  3. Provide the required documentation
  4. Meet with the Director of CSS to discuss specific needs and the appropriate accommodations
  5. Request desired accommodations for each course by completing the appropriate paperwork at least two (2) weeks before the start of classes
  6. If a request is made after the start of the semester, every attempt will be made to arrange the accommodation. Understand that at least 72 hours will be needed to make the proper arrangements (or) requests will be acted upon as soon as possible depending on type of request, availability of resources and time of the semester.
  7. Give written permission to CSS to communicate with your instructors or external agencies if desired
  8. Students should notify CSS if accommodation's have not been provided, or are no longer necessary

CSS Responsibilities (for students with disabilities)

  • Provide an opportunity for students to self-identify
  • Contact those students who have self-identified and provided necessary documentation
  • Schedule meeting with student
  • Provide special assistance with Admissions Process, Course Placement, Orientation, Registration, Financial Aid
  • Determine appropriate accommodations based on:
    • Diagnostic Information from Professional
    • Student Input
    • Agency Input
  • Provide decided upon accommodation in a timely manner

How is college different from high school for students with disabilities?

Click here for "The Law and Accommodations"

 

For more information contact Bethany Rogers at
The Center for Student Success,
by phone (517) 796-8415 or
email rogersbethanym@jccmi.edu