QCC is committed to full access for all individuals. The purpose of Disability Support Services is to assist students with disabilities achieve their educational goals by providing reasonable accommodations and support services.
Kristin Szydlik
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Definition of Disability
Disabilities are impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities such as learning or working. The impairment may be either permanent or temporary.
Disabilities include but are not limited to:
Specific Learning Disabilities:
Physical and Medical Disabilities:
- Sensory ( visual, auditory...)
- Mobility ( CP, MD, Carpal Tunnel...)
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Illnesses ( Diabetes, Cancer, Stroke...)
- ADD / ADHD
Emotional & Psychiatric Disabilities:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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College Students with Disabilities
Accommodations & Services
Reasonable accommodations for students are determined on an individual basis. The following are some of the more frequently requested accommodations and services:
Accommodations
- Assistive Technology
- Extended Time on Tests
- Interpreters of American Sign Language
- Less Distracting Testing room
- Note Takers / C-Print Captionist
- Scribes / Readers
- Taped Textbooks
Services
- Assistance with Course Selection & Academic Planning
- Homework Center Tutoring
- Information & Referral
- Learning Strategies & Study Skill Development
- Liaison with College Personnel
- Medical Parking
- Peer Mentoring
- Problem Resolution Assistance
- Support Groups
Placement Testing
To receive accommodations for the placement test, students must provide appropriate documentation and complete the intake process with Disability Services.
Student Responsibilities
If you are a student with a disability who would like assistance you must:
- Schedule an intake/planning appointment with Disability Services
- Provide appropriate documentation of your disability to Disability Services
Phone: (508) 854-4471
TTY: (508) 854-4524
Confidentiality
No information is released without the studentâ??s consent. Accommodations are provided in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Contact Us If:
- You are uncertain whether you have a disability.
- You have questions about your documentation.
- You would like further information about disabilities, our office, or services.
Faculty's Responsibility
- To cooperate with Disability Services in providing authorized accommodations and supports to students.
- To refer the student to Disability Services if the student claims a disability and/or requests accommodations but provides no QCC official notification (Disability Services Accommodation Form).
- To consult with Disability Services if there are questions about the appropriateness of a required accommodation and to discuss means and/or alternative ways for providing an accommodation in a particular class.
- The goal of accommodations is to allow the student to be able to comprehend course material and communicate that comprehension to the instructor as the accommodation does not alter the essential nature of the course or program.
Limits To Faculty Responsibilities
- Faculty have no obligation to provide accommodations when the student does not provide the Disability Services Accommodation Form.
- If a student does not identify until late in the semester, the instructor is under no obligation to offer make-up exams or assignments; accommodations need to be provided only from the point of official notification.
- Faculty are not responsible for requesting documentation. In fact, faculty generally do not have access to such records unless special circumstances exist and the student gives permission.
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The Law
Section504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
â??No otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities in the United States â?¦.shall solely by reason of his disability be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.â?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is still in effect and it contains (in Subpart E) more specific information regarding post-secondary education than the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.
Provisions of Section 504
Quinsigamond Community College as a public institution of higher education that has received federal assistance is legally bound to prohibit discrimination in the recruitment process and the educational process of student with disabilities. Students with documented disabilities are entitled to receive approved modifications, appropriate academic adjustments or auxiliary aids that will enable them to participate in and have the opportunity to benefit from all educational programs and activities at QCC.
Under the provisions of Section 504, Quinsigamond Community College may not:
- Limit the number of otherwise qualified students with disabilities admitted;
- Make pre-admission inquiries as to whether an applicant is disabled;
- Exclude an otherwise qualified student with a disability from any course of study;
- Provide less financial assistance to students with disabilities than is provided to non-disabled students, or limit eligibility for scholarships on the basis of disability;
- Counsel students with disabilities into more restrictive career paths than is recommended to students who are non-disabled;
- Measure student achievement using modes that adversely discriminate against a student with a disability; or
- Establish rules and policies that have the effect of limiting participation of students with disabilities in educational programs or activities.
Americans With Disabilities Aact (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is civil rights legislation that effects 43,000,000 Americans with disabilities. The purpose of the act is to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The ADA applies to all institutions of higher education regardless of federal funds. ADA is under the jurisdiction of the department of justice.
Title II: Title II of ADA is divided into two subparts. Subpart A requires that state and local government entities and programs be made accessible to persons with disabilities. Subpart B requires that public transportation systems be made fully accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
Title III: Title III of ADA covers the accessibility and availability of programs, goods, and services provided to the public by private entities.
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FAQ
- What are your hours of operation?
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- What does the Disability Services Office do?
Disability Services provides reasonable academic accommodations and assistance for students with learning, physical, and/or emotional/psychiatric disabilities. Examples of accommodations include extended time for examinations, use of assistive technology, and note taking. Other assistance can include problem resolution, aid with administrative procedures, learning strategies training, and tutoring.
- I think I have a disability. What do I do?
You will be asked to speak to one of the professional staff to begin to determine whether your condition, or situation, could be considered a disability. If appropriate, based on the discussion, you will fill out an Initial Contact Form, and the process for services will begin.
- How do I receive disability services?
You must provide documentation of your disability to Disability Services and fill out the Initial Contact Form. Based on your type of disability, you will be assigned to a Coordinator, who will contact you for an intake appointment, at which the types of services appropriate for your circumstances will be determined.
- Does Disability Services complete assessments to provide documentation of disability?
No. Disability Services does not do assessments. The Coordinator will advise the student of assessment options; i.e., private assessment, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, etc.
- How do I utilize my extended testing accommodations?
Follow the printed guidelines, as outlined in the Extended Testing Memo. Professional staff are available for further clarification.
- How do I get a tutor?
All students are encouraged to use the services of tutors in the Individualized Learning Center (ILC), Math and English Labs. In addition, some students affiliated with Disability Services may receive assistance from tutors working directly through Disability Services.
- How do I become a tutor/note taker?
Fill out a part-time employee interest card. The Director of Disability Services will interview candidates. Once assigned, the tutor/note taker will fill out related paperwork.
- Do I need an appointment to meet with a professional Coordinator?
If you have an appointment, the receptionist will let the staff member know that you are here. If you do not have an appointment, the receptionist will check with the staff member to see if you can meet briefly to arrange an appointment, or whether you can meet for a longer period of time.
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