A reasonable accommodation is a change or adjustment in the learning environment that allows a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity as his/her non-disabled peers. Students with disabilities have the right to attain the same level of performance or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to students without disabilities. The college, however, is only obligated to make reasonable accommodations to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified student with a disability.

Accommodations are only made to non-essential elements of a course or program. If an accommodation is deemed inappropriate, an equivalent accommodation(s) will be suggested. Reasonable accommodations are determined by examining:

1. The barriers resulting from the student’s involvement with the campus environment (courses, programs, services, etc.);

2. The possible accommodation(s) that may eliminate the barrier;

3. Whether or not the student has access to a service, program, course, activity, job or facility without the accommodation(s); and

4. Whether or not the essential elements of a service, program, course, activity, job or facility are compromised with the accommodation.

Learning Disabilities

• Requesting a course syllabus in advance
• A volunteer note taker to assist with recording lecture notes
• Access to handouts, outlines and visual information to supplement lecture information
• Textbooks taped
• Extra time for testing
• Alternative methods of testing (e.g. oral exams, taped exams, testing in a distraction-free room)
• Tests read
• Option to use a word processor or dictionary for written work
• Option to use a calculator for math work
• Tape record lectures
• Use adaptive software (e.g. Kurzweil 3000 scan and read software)

ADD/ADHD

• Note taker to assist with recording lecture notes
• Preferential seating in front near instructor
• Tape record lectures
• Extra time for tests/in-class written assignments
• Distraction-free testing environment
• Access to information in visual forms when possible

Deafness/Hearing Loss

• Access to visual aids/handouts when possible
• Preferential seating in front of class
• Sign language interpreter
• Note taker to assist with recording of lecture notes
• Closed captioning on videos/films
• Assistive listening devices
• Priority registration
• Use of e-mail for class and private discussions with instructor

Blindness/Vision Loss

• Preferential seating in front of room
• Books on tape or in alternate format
• Printed materials available in alternate formats (e.g. large print,
• Braille, electronic, etc.)
• Use of assistive technology (e.g. CCTV, screen reading software, text to speech software, etc.)
• Note taker to assist with recording lecture information
• Alternative methods of testing (e.g. circle answers, oral tests, scribe, reader, complete test on computer, etc.)

Physical Mobility

• Note taker to assist with recording lecture notes
• Physically accessible class rooms, labs and work stations
• Use of adaptive devices (e.g. adjustable height table, alternative keyboard, etc.)
• Assistive technology for the computer (e.g. voice activated software)
• Scribe to record test answers/assist with written assignments
• Alternative methods of testing (e.g. extra time, scribe, give answers orally, etc.)
• Assistance in event of an emergency

Medical/Health Related 

• Note taker to assist with recording class lecture notes
• Flexible attendance requirements when absent due to a medical situation (only when attendance is not an essential component of the course)
• Extra time to complete exams, written assignments
• Assignments made available in electronic format, use of e-mail to facilitate communication with instructor
• Tape recorded lectures
• Alternative testing methods (e.g. extra time, scribe, etc.)
  

Psychological/Psychiatric

• Tape record lectures
• Note taker to assist with recording lecture notes
• Distraction-free testing environment
• Extra time to complete tests, in-class assignments