Accommodations

Students and faculty are encouraged to review the list of accommodations provided by DSS. Please contact DSS for clarification or questions.

Access to Class Notes

The student will need access to class notes. The instructor may provide a copy of lecture notes or solicit a volunteer student note taker from the class. Refer to Note Taking Accommodation Guidelines for more information.

Allow audio recording of class

Student may audio record lectures and discussions. The student may use their own recorder or DSS may lend a recording device each semester. Video recording classes is not permitted.

Alternative to ScanTron/Ability to Write Directly on the Test

Some students may not be able to fill in ScanTron sheets. Students may be allowed to circle answers directly on exams.

Calculator

The student is authorized a calculator specified by the instructor for quizzes and exams.

Captioned videos, films, and online media

Instructors who intend to use DVD, VHS, or web-based videos and/or podcasts in their courses should be aware that they are responsible for offering accessible versions of this course materials. Videos are accessible when they are captioned. Podcasts are accessible when a written transcript accompanies the audio file. If a video is not captioned or a podcast does not have a transcript, instructors will need to arrange for an accessible version to be produced. Instructors should plan ahead by allowing at least two weeks for transcription and captioning services. Inaccessible media must not be shown in class until accessible media is available for all students.

DSS will work with instructors to provide accessible media for the deaf and hard of hearing students who are in their classes. When possible, instructors will be notified if a student is deaf/hard of hearing is in their class prior to the beginning of the semester by DSS.

Double Time

The student is authorized double time on ALL quizzes and exams. The accommodation usually takes place in the Assessment Center.

Flexibility with Attendance

Students are expected to follow the Montgomery College attendance policy (Academic Regulation 9.823), complete all assignments, and complete all exams as indicated on the instructor’s course syllabus. Flexibility with Attendance may be a reasonable accommodation when the disability has a direct impact on class attendance. Generally, these students have disabilities which are chronic or episodic in nature which may cause difficulties with regular class attendance. This might include, but is not limited to, students with diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, migraines and conditions requiring on-going or specialized medical treatment. Students with psychological disabilities who are experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms may also request modification of attendance policies.

Determining How Many Disability-Related Absences Are Reasonable

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) provided the following guidelines to be used in considering whether attendance is an essential element of a course:

1. Is there classroom interaction between the instructor and students and among students?
2. Do student contributions constitute a significant component of the learning process?
3. Does the fundamental nature of the course rely on student participation as an essential method for learning?
4. To what degree does a student’s failure to attend constitute a significant loss to the educational experience of other students in the class?
5. What do the course description and syllabus say?
6. Which method is used to calculate the final grade?
7. What are the classroom practices and policies regarding attendance?

The accommodation should be provided unless the accommodation would fundamentally alter the essential requirements of the course. It is important that the student and course instructor discuss the issue so that the student can then make an informed decision regarding alternatives. Requests for accommodations for absences due to a disability should be considered on an individual and course-by-course basis.

Accommodating Class Absences

When a class is missed due to a disability related absence, a general rule for determining a reasonable timeframe for a makeup or postponement of an assignment (such as a paper, exam or quiz) is the time equivalent to that which was missed. In certain courses, it may be appropriate to consider an alternative assignment, reading or project to make up for missed class discussion or projects. Other examples of how disability related absences may be accommodated may include the ability to submit or make up missed assignments or assessments that have been impacted by the disability-related absence without grade penalty.

Preferential Seating

Some students with disabilities may require preferential seating in the classroom. This may include in the front, side or back of the classroom depending upon the student’s needs.

Reduced Distraction Testing Environment

Student will need to take exams and quizzes in a location where distractions are minimized; a room that minimizes both the auditory (e.g. copy machines, talking) and visual distractions (e.g. people moving in and out of the testing space.) This accommodation usually takes place in the Assessment Center and arrangements must be made in advance.

Scribe for Exams

The student will need to dictate the answers to an aid. Arrangements for this accommodation are provided by DSS.

Sign Language Interpreters

Sign language interpreters are professionals hired by Montgomery College who provide a necessary communication link between hearing, deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals. The following communication tips may be helpful for instructors:

• Communicate directly with the Deaf/hard of hearing student as one does with other students by:
      - Maintaining eye contact with the student rather than the interpreter
      - Maintaining clear lines of visual contact between the interpreter, student, and presenter
      - Speaking at your usual pace using your natural gestures and expression.
• Please ensure there is adequate lighting for the student to see the interpreter during presentations, film/videos, etc.
• Please provide the interpreter with any course information including: course syllabus, access to web-based materials (Blackboard), PowerPoint presentations, handouts, readings, etc. This information will enable the interpreter to effectively convey the course.

Use of computer software to read aloud exam test, i.e. Kurzweil

A literacy software such as Kurzweil may be utilized for exams to be read aloud. Instructors provide an electronic copy of quizzes/exams to the designated DSS Staff member on their campus for processing.

Use of computer software to record answers (voice recognition)

The student will use a software package to translate speech into written format.