There are a variety of ways in which students with documented disabilities obtain equal access to their education.  Accommodations are determined on an individual basis. Some of the most common accommodations include (but are not limited to):

1. Extended time on exams and in-class assignments
2. Limited distraction area for exams
3. Use of a computer for exams and in-class assignments or note-taking
4. Note Taker (peer) or use of a “Smart Pen” or other audio recording
5. Print materials in an electronic and/or audio format
6. Print materials enlarged
7. Organizational Tutor
8. Use of a Scribe
9. Moving of classrooms to accessible locations
10. Priority snow/ice removal
11. Use of a calculator

Accommodations are to enable students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from the College’s programs, services, and activities, provided that such accommodations would not 1) fundamentally alter the nature or operation of the College’s programs, services, or activities, 2) cause undue burden to the College, or 3) pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.  Accommodations are NOT retroactive.

For course accommodations, a student must provide an Accommodation Verification Letter to each professor, each semester and discuss the contents of the Letter with the professor each time.  For specific instructions on how particular accommodations are provided or coordinated, contact The Learning Enrichment and Disability Services Office.

Temporary Accommodations

At times students will provide documentation which is incomplete, not current, or is otherwise insufficient.  However, if the information provided seems legitimate, the Director, at her discretion, may grant temporary accommodations for one semester with the understanding that the student will use the time to complete, update or otherwise make sufficient the relevant documentation.

Leniency Requests

Some academic standards may be negotiable given the essential components of a course or program.  For those times when a student with a disability may have a situation which warrants a leniency request, the student must provide documentation of the disability to the Director and then, when appropriate, the Director will include a “Leniency Request” either in the Accommodation Verification Letter or in a separate letter to the student's faculty.  The student must deliver the Accommodation Verification Letter or the leniency request letter to the faculty member(s) and discuss it with each faculty member.

Leniency is sometimes appropriate to request for difficulties with class attendance or for completing assignments in a timely manner.  These are not accommodations and, as such, the faculty member may or may not choose to be honor the request.   Students who have a difficulty late in the semester may also be advised to pursue an “Incomplete” instead.  Leniency requests are also NOT retroactive.