Home / Services & Support / Specialized Support / Disability Services Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Learn more about Jackson College’s disability services and accommodations for students. Support is available for academic, housing, and campus access needs. It is important to contact a Center for Student Success professional prior to the start of the semester in order to receive accommodations/disability services in a timely manner. accommodation request form Accommodate login Accommodations Process Accommodations Criteria Accommodate Software Instructions High School vs. College Accommodations Guides and Best Practices Resources Contact Accommodations Process Back to Top Step 1: Apply to Jackson College Complete the Jackson College admissions process. If you’re not currently a JC student, please apply and follow the apply to jackson college Step 2: Submit the Accommodations Request Form Fill out the Accommodations Request Form to notify the Center for Student Success (CSS) about your need for accommodations.Note: If you encounter an error while submitting the form, contact CSS at JCCSS@jccmi.edu or call (517) 796-8415. accommodations form Step 3: Upload Verifiable Documentation If documentation wasn’t submitted with the request form, upload it via Accommodate. Acceptable documents include medical records, IEPs, or 504 Plans. You may also drop off physical copies at the Center for Student Success. upload documentation Step 4: Schedule Intake Appointment After your request and documentation are approved, Accommodate will prompt you to schedule an intake appointment with CSS within 48 business hours.Important: If you don’t respond, your request will be denied after one semester. You may submit a new request at any time. Step 5: Submit Course Requests Once accommodations are approved, submit a course request in Accommodate for each enrolled course. Note: If you add, drop, or change courses during the semester, submit a new course request.Accommodations can be added or modified after the intake appointment—log into Accommodate or contact CSS for help. submit course requests Accommodations Criteria Back to Top Intake Appointment: Students requesting accommodations will meet with the Section 504 Coordinator as part of the registration process. Documentation Review: Verifiable documentation is required (e.g., medical records, IEPs, or 504 Plans). These serve as guidance, but not all high school accommodations carry over to college. Discussion of Appropriate Accommodations: The intake meeting includes a review of your current course schedule to determine suitable accommodations. Collaboration with Academic Experts: Faculty and program directors may be consulted to assess whether a requested accommodation is essential or would fundamentally alter a course or program. Program and Course Review: A detailed overview of course requirements and alternative accommodations will be documented to create a personalized plan. Permission to Communicate: The Section 504 Coordinator will request permission to communicate with your instructors. Legal Rights Notification: Students will be informed about their rights under Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA, including the grievance procedure. Communication of Approved Accommodations: Once finalized, accommodations are shared with both the student and instructors—either at the start of the semester or after the intake meeting. Documentation and Case File: All records, including requests, supporting documents, and communications, are stored in the student’s case file. Appeal Process: If an accommodation is denied, students will receive written notice with reasons and instructions for appealing through the Student Resolution Advocate or Section 504 grievance procedures. Click here for the grievance form. Accommodate Instructions Back to Top Support staff login New Accommodations If you have never registered your disability with Jackson College, please follow the step-by-step instructions above. Add/Modify Accommodations Log into Accommodate. Click on “Add/Modify Accommodations.” Select “Add New.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your update. Returning Students If you have not taken classes in 3 or more years you will need to re-establish your accommodations. Please follow the step-by-step instructions above. Current Students You need to submit a Course Request at the beginning of every semester, and again if you change any classes during the semester. Log into Accommodate using your JC email and password. On the homepage, click “Accommodation” on the left side. Select “Course Request.” Use the dropdown menu to choose the correct semester. Click the maroon button labeled “Submit for All Accommodations” on the right side of the screen. High School vs. College Back to Top Applicable Laws High School College IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)Section 504 Subpart D, Rehabilitation Act of 1973Section 504, Subpart E, Rehabilitation Act of 1973IDEA is about SUCCESSADA is about ACCESS Required Documentation High SchoolCollege IEP or 504 planHigh school IEP or 504 plan may not be sufficient. Documentation guidelines specify information needed for each category of disability. Connect with the Center for Student Success for guidance.School provides evaluation at no cost to student.Students must get evaluation at own expense.Documentation focuses on determining whether student is eligible for services based on specific disability categories in IDEA.Documentation must provide information on specific functional limitations and demonstrate the need for specific accommodations. Self-Advocacy High School College Student is identified as student with a disability by the school and is supported by parents and teachers.Student must self-disclose disability to Disability Resources Office before accessing accommodations.Primary responsibility for arranging accommodations belongs to the school.Primary responsibility for arranging accommodations belongs to the student. Levels of Support High School CollegeParents, teachers, and counselors monitor student progress and advocate for student to seek additional help as needed.Numerous supports available at the college level such as tutoring and supplemental instruction, but the student is responsible for locating and accessing those supports.Teachers approach student if they believe student needs assistance.Professors are usually open and helpful, but most expect students to initiate contact if they need assistance. Study Responsibilities High School CollegeStudents are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed and often re-taught in class.Students are assigned significant amounts of reading and writing which may not be directly addressed in class.Students may study outside of class as little as 0 to 2 hours a week, and this may be mostly last-minute preparation.Students need to study 2 to 3 hours outside of class for each hour in class.Tutoring and study support may be a service provided as part of an IEP or 504 plan.Tutoring does not fall under disability resources. Students with disabilities must seek out tutoring services as they are available to all students. High School Teachers vs. College Professors High School TeachersCollege Professors Teachers often check completed homework.Professors often do not check for completed homework, but they will assume that students can perform the same tasks on an exam.Teachers often remind students of missing work.Professors often do not remind students of missing work.Teachers might provide students with material they miss when they are absent.Professors expect students to get material from their peers when they are absent.Teachers are available to talk before and after class.Professors expect students to utilize office hours to discuss questions and concerns.Teachers often take time to review assignment and test dates.Professors expect students to review and know information on a syllabus that outlines the course material and all due dates for assignments and exams. Guides and Best Practices Back to Top Accommodation Approval Timeline Accommodations should be approved before the course drop date to support a successful semester. Accommodations are not active or enforceable until the official approval date listed in Accommodate. Purpose of Accommodations Accommodations are designed to: Ensure equal participation and benefit for students with disabilities in all programs and activities. Level the playing field by addressing disability-related barriers. Allow instructors to fairly evaluate a student’s understanding of course material. Accommodations should not: Alter essential objectives of a course or academic program. Compromise safety or health of the student or others. Cause undue financial hardship to the College. Replace personal devices or services (e.g., personal aides or equipment). Course Requests Students must submit a Course Request each semester they plan to use accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive, so requests should be submitted before or at the start of the course(s). If a student adds or changes a course, a new Course Request must be submitted to notify the new instructor. Log into Accommodate. Click “Accommodation” on the left menu. Select “Course Request.” Click “Add New.” Choose the correct semester. Click “Submit for All” to apply accommodations to all courses, or “Review” to select specific courses. Once submitted, a copy of the accommodations letter is automatically sent to faculty via Accommodate. Note Taking Policies If approved, Jackson College will provide a notetaker based on availability. Notes may be delayed by 1–2 days after lectures. Test Booking Policies Tests must be booked at least 5 business days before the due date to ensure accommodations are in place. Quiet testing is conducted in a lab with no more than 8 students per session. Students may use earplugs—bring your own or request them at the start of the test. Resources Back to Top Helpful Resources for Students with Disabilities U.S. Gov. publication “Preparing for Postsecondary School” American Council of the Blind American Foundation for the Blind American Printing House for the Blind American Speech-Language Hearing Association Americans with Disabilities Act Association on Higher Education and Disability International Dyslexia Association Library of Michigan Michigan Commission For the Blind National Council on Disability disability Connections Michigan Disability Resource Directory Community Mental Health Dyslexia Institute in Jackson Michigan Family Voices Contact Back to Top Maturine, Ariel Student Resource Coordinator maturinarielt@jccmi.edu 517.796.8578 Schedule a Meeting Gramling, Sara Center for Student Success Support Specialist gramlinsaraj@jccmi.edu 517.990.1376 Elenbaas, Janel Director, Student Success Services elenbaajanell@jccmi.edu 517.796.8499 Meet Janel Services & Support Academic Support Academic Advising Catch-Up Workshops Center for Student Success Testing Lab Tutoring & Writing Support Peer Tutoring Faculty Tutoring Supplemental Instruction Writing Center Writing Fellows Career Services Career Assessment Career Preparation Internships Jackets for Jets Online Job Board Health & Personal Health Clinic Dental Clinic Mental Health Oasis Center 24/7 Peer Support Food Support Harriet’s Hub Emergency Support Library Hours Find Borrow Help Reserve a Room Faculty Resources Specialized Support Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Foster Youth Occupational Support TRIO Student Support Services Student Services Course Management Register for Classes Drop or Withdraw from a Class Grading System Graduation & Commencement Student Forms Student Records Chosen Name Request a Transcript Residency Student ID Cards Update Student Information Student Resolution Advocate Academic Complaint Process Technology Support Veteran Services Education Benefits Course Information Forms & Resources Contact Veteran Services
