Accommodations are modifications to policies and practices that are provided to qualified students with disabilities to ensure equitable access to course content and materials. While accommodations may change the way you access course information or demonstrate knowledge, accommodations do not change the essential elements of a course.
Additionally, accommodations for students with disabilities are protected under federal disability legislature. Accessibility Services works with SCTCC Faculty and Staff to ensure that accommodations are correctly and promptly implemented.
There are a variety of accommodations that we offer to support our students with testing. Many different disabilities can affect a student’s ability to test in the same situations as their peers. Testing Accommodations are only approved for students who Accessibility Services staff have determined eligible through the Welcome Meeting’s interactive process.
Some common Testing Accommodations are:
- Alternative Format Test: Tests would be given in a specific format, Kurzweil (text-to-speech), online, paper, Braille, etc.
- Alternative Test Site: Student would be allowed to take their exams in our Testing Center.
- Extended Exam Time: Students would be given more time to finish their exams.
- Scribes for Exam: Students would be allowed to use speech-to-text or have a human scribe for their exams.
Testing Accommodations DO:
- Allow the student to access the exam in a different format that it was originally given
- Allow the student to be in a different environment that the rest of the class
- Allow the student to have more time to effectively showcase their knowledge
Testing Accommodations DO NOT:
- Allow the student to skip questions or have lenient grading
- Modify the questions or content on the exam
- Give the student an unfair advantage over their peers
There are many accommodations that Accessibility Services offers that support our students in the classroom. There are many different disabilities that can impact a student in the classroom. Classroom Accommodations are meant to change how a student accesses the information being given to create an equitable and accessible learning environment for them.
Some common Classroom Accommodations are:
- American Sign Language Interpreter: ASL interpreters would be present at all classes to interpret for the student.
- Audio Recording Lectures: Students would be allowed to audio record their lectures to play back while they study.
- Assistive Technology: Students would be allowed to bring/use assistive technology in the classroom.
- Drawing/Fidgets in Class: Students would be allowed to draw or fidget during class to allow them to better focus on the lecture.
- Adaptive Furniture/Environment: Students would receive different, more accessible furniture for their classes.
- Computer Usage for Notes: Students would be allowed to use their computers to take notes in class.
- Volunteer Supplemental Note Taker: Students would have access to a volunteer peer note taker to supplement their own notes.
Classroom Accommodations DO:
- Allow students to have equitable access to classroom materials and information
- Allow students to manage their medical condition during class
Classroom Accommodations DO NOT:
- Allow students to "skip" class for nonmedical reasons
- Allow students to circumnavigate essential course expectations
- Take away students’ responsibility to learn the information being presented
Alternative Format Accommodations support many students with many different disabilities. Alternative Format means that the students are given accommodations that allow them to complete course requirements in an alternative method while still completing course objectives.
Some common Alternative Format Accommodations are:
- Alternative Format Tests: Tests would be given in a specific format, Kurzweil (text-to-speech), online, paper, Braille, etc.
- Alternative Participation Strategies: Students would be allowed to participate in a different manner than required by the instructor, if needed.
- Alternative Presentation Method: Students would be allowed to present in a different manner than required by the instructor, if needed.
- Alternative Test Site: Student would be allowed to take their exams in our Testing Center.
- Alternative Textbook Format: Accessibility Services would provide the student’s textbooks in a more accessible format for the student (i.e., Braille, e-text, text-to-speech, etc.)
Alternative Format Accommodations DO:
- Allow students to showcase their knowledge and complete course objectives in an equitable way
- Allow students to have equitable access to classroom materials and information
Alternative Format Accommodations DO NOT:
- Allow students not to fulfill course requirements
- Take away students’ responsibility to learn and show knowledge of course content
Physical Accommodations support a variety of SCTCC students with disabilities have access to course content and materials. Physical Accommodations are accommodations that physically alter some aspect of a student’s course to make it more equitable and accessible to them.
Some common Physical Accommodations are:
- Adaptive Furniture/Environment: Students would receive different, more accessible furniture for their classes.
- Assistive Technology: Students would be allowed to bring/use assistive technology in the classroom.
- Kurzweil/Alterative Format Textbooks: Accessibility Services would provide the student’s textbooks in a more accessible format for the student (i.e., Braille, e-text, text-to-speech, etc.).
- Preferred Seating: Student would be allowed to pick their seat in class that meets their needs.
Physical Accommodations DO:
- Allow students to have equitable access to classroom materials and information
- Allow students to fully participate in class and for exams
Physical Accommodations DO NOT:
- Take away students’ responsibility to learn and show knowledge of course content
- Give the student an unfair advantage over their peers
Please note, the accommodations listed above are not the only accommodations available through Accessibility Services. Other accommodations may be available depending on disability and/or course objectives. If you have any questions, please contact Accessibility Services (acc@sctcc.edu, 320-308-5064, Office 1-448).