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Disability Services
Information, Policies, & Procedures for Students

SECTION 4:  HOW REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE DETERMINED

An academic accommodation is essentially a problem-solving process.  The task is to determine the necessary adjustments that will enable students with disabilities to have access to the same programs and services available to students without disabilities and to have their academic performance evaluated without the limiting effects of their disability.  The objective of such adjustments is to accommodate the functional limitations of the student's disability while maintaining the integrity of College courses and programs.

DS determines reasonable academic adjustments for students, taking into consideration recommendations from the physician, psychologist or other clinician that diagnosed the student's disability.  DS also ascertains accommodations that previously have been used in educational settings with the student and gives consideration to student preferences for accommodation.  In addition, DS staff consults with faculty to assist with developing reasonable accommodations to individual course requirements.  DS staff meets individually with students to discuss accommodations.  Although some persons may have similar disabilities, each request for accommodation is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Services of a Personal Nature

Services of a personal nature are not considered accommodations in postsecondary education.  Examples of personal services include but are not limited to tutoring, attendant care, transportation and mobility. 

Accommodations and Services

Disability Services recommends accommodations and services.  DS recommends specific accommodations based upon documentation received and individual class requirements.  The following examples of common accommodation requests may not be appropriate in all situations.  Furthermore these examples are not an exhaustive listing of all possible accommodations that may be implemented in the classroom setting.

Priority Registration -DS provides all registered students with priority registration.   The student is responsible for regular advisement through individual College advisors.  After consultation with an academic advisor, students must have their registration form approved by DS.  The student is responsible for presenting the registration form to the appropriate data entry location.

Testing Accommodations - Testing accommodations may include extended time, reduced-distraction testing situations, taped or orally administered tests, alternate test formats, readers, and/or scribes.  Testing accommodations are provided within each department, if possible.  Students should discuss testing accommodations with their instructors at the beginning of each term.  DS proctors examinations for students that need to use assistive technology or whose instructor is unable to provide test proctoring.  Students are obligated to comply with DS test proctoring guidelines to ensure smooth delivery of services and maintain integrity of faculty examinations.

Alternate Formats for Assignments - In some cases, assignments may be submitted in formats other than those stated in course requirements. 

Tape Recording and/or Notetakers - Students may be permitted to tape record class lectures and/or may request peer notetakers.  DS will assist in providing NCR (No Carbon Required) paper for notetakers, and/or arranging for peer notetakers.

Academic Classroom Aids - In a few cases, students may be permitted to use calculators, dictionaries, word processors, spell checkers, and/or grammar checkers for in-class and out-of-class work, if the integrity of the course work is not compromised.

Adaptive Computer Technology - The College offers assistance with document readers and other adaptive computer technology; however, advance notice is needed for preparations to accommodate.

Academic Assistance - Academic assistance may be provided through notetakers, scribes, readers, and/or sign language interpreters.  However, federal law does not require the College to provide services that place an undue administrative or financial burden upon the College.  The College is not required to provide services of a personal nature, including assistance with eating, toileting, or mobility.

The Accommodation Process

It is the student's responsibility to request accommodations each term.  To request academic accommodations, students are required to complete a series of steps, preferably at the beginning of each term.  Registered students may request accommodations at any point during the term after they have registered with the Disability Services Office.  However, students that do not give sufficient notice of accommodation requests are not guaranteed optimal accommodations will be implemented.  Students have an obligation to inform CALHOUN COMMUNITY COLLEGE in a timely manner of accommodation requests.

Student obligations with accommodation requests are as follows:

1. Complete an Accommodation Request Form.

2. Meet with a DS staff member to discuss accommodation requests.

3. DS will prepare an Accommodation Letter to the instructor of each course. 

4. Each instructor will receive an Accommodation Memo.

5. Discuss how accommodations will be implemented with the instructor of the course. DS is available to offer suggestions to the student and faculty member.

6. Remind the instructor of exam accommodations at least one week before scheduled exams.

7. Report any problems with accommodation implementation to DS.

Instructors are not obligated to provide accommodations until such time that they have been notified by an official memo delivered from DS to do so.  Also, accommodations are not retroactive. In other words, faculty are not obligated to accommodate prior exams, assignments, or any course related activity before an Accommodation Memo is delivered.

Students are entitled to appeal accommodation decisions of DS, faculty or other CALHOUN COMMUNITY COLLEGE entities.  Please refer to the 504/ADA Grievance Process for Students below.

504/ADA Grievance Process for Students

Questions and concerns regarding accommodations and services for students with disabilities should be directed initially to Disability Services.  If DS staff members cannot provide information or suggestions that resolve issues involving disability rights issues, a meeting with the student, the faculty member (if applicable), DS staff members and the Dean for Student Affairs is the second step in resolving disagreements. 

If an agreement concerning disability rights is not reached at this point, the final step in the grievance process involves the dissenting party filing a formal grievance.  During the grievance process, the student is entitled to receive accommodations recommended by DS. 

The process for filing an official grievance is located in the current CALHOUN Community College Catalog/Student Handbook.

Steps in the Grievance Process

1. Consult with appropriate DS staff member(s).
2. If the situation cannot be resolved in step one, you are encouraged to meet with DS staff member(s), the course instructor (if applicable), and Dean for Student Affairs to discuss your concerns.  (A DS staff member will schedule this meeting at the student's request).
3. If a result is not achieved in step two, it is recommended you follow the formal, written grievance procedures as listed in the current Calhoun Community College Catalog/Handbook.

Should you disagree with the outcome of the Grievance Process, you may file a formal complaint with the Office for Civil Rights:

Regional Office for Civil Rights
Office for Civil Rights, Region IV
U. S. Department of Education
Atlanta, Georgia 30301-3104 

Differences Between High School And College

An important issue for potential and current college students with disabilities is to understand the differences between the application of disability rights laws in secondary and post-secondary institutions.  The most basic distinction between services for students with disabilities in high school and college is secondary settings are geared towards least restrictive setting whereas post-secondary institutions are obligated to provide access.  In other words more responsibility is placed on student initiative in higher education.

A student's responsibilities dramatically increase as they move from secondary to postsecondary education. The chart below illustrates differences between secondary and post-secondary obligations of students with accommodation requests.

Brinckerhoff, L. C. Shaw, S. F. and J. M. McGuire, J. M. (1992), "Promoting Access, Accommodations, And Independence For College Students With Learning Disabilities" Journal of Learning Disabilities, 25(7), 417-429. Copyright 1992 by PRO-ED, Inc. Reprinted by permission

Adapted from: * Claire E. Weinstein, Karalee Johnson, Robert Malloch, Scott Ridley and Paul Schults. Innovation Abstracts (vol. x No. 21; Sept. 30, 1988.) National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development (NISOD); the University of Texas. Austin, Texas 78712. * F. Shaw, L.C. Brinckerhoff, J. Kistler, and J.M. McGuire, 1991, Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 2, 21-26. * The Postsecondary Learning Disabilities Primer, Learning Disabilities Training Project, Western Carolina University, 1989. * Brinckerhoff, L.C., S.F. Shaw, and J.M. McGuire, 1993, Promoting Postsecondary Education for Students with Learning Disabilities. * Vogel, S. A. Adelman, P.B. 1993, Success for College Students with Learning Disabilities.

Transfer Students

Transfer students should contact the Admissions Office to inquire about admission status.  Transfer students with disabilities that have received accommodations at another post-secondary institution are not necessarily eligible for services at CALHOUN COMMUNITY COLLEGE.  To secure services from DS, transfer students with disabilities must follow DS registration outlined in this manual.  The following steps are recommended to transfer students for ensuring timely service:

I.  Requesting Disability Documentation

1. Request your disability verification be forwarded to DS from the professional that diagnosed or assessed your disability.  Typically you will have to sign a release of information before any documents are forwarded to DS.  Or;
2. Request your disability verification be forwarded to DS from the institution that provided you with academic accommodations.  Typically you will have to sign a release of information before any documents are forwarded to DS.  Some colleges and universities will not forward disability verification to outside parties (such as CALHOUN COMMUNITY COLLEGE). 

 II. Requesting Verification of Academic Accommodations 

1. Request the institution that provided you with academic accommodations to verify in writing the types of accommodations granted.  Typically you will have to sign a release of information before verification is forwarded to DS.
2. Discuss with an appropriate DS staff member the types of accommodations and services you used at a prior institution.

 III. Common Points of Confusion 

1. Who requests disability verification?  The student is responsible for ensuring disability verification is sent to DS.  The Office of Services for Special Student Populations does not request information from other institutions.
2. Admissions decisions are made without consideration of disability status.  Do not send disability verification to the Admissions Office.

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