Disability Resources and Services


The Office of Disability Resources and Services provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the guidelines of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Our team is here to assist students from intake to graduation and will help you to navigate college life. Accommodations can be provided to students with a variety of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, attention-deficit disorder, physical or medical conditions, as well as a variety of mental health diagnoses such as depression and anxiety. If you are unsure or have questions about whether or not you qualify, please contact us.

 

 

 

Get Started with Accommodate

Disability Resources and Services uses an online system called Accommodate where you will complete the intake form, upload documentation, schedule your intake appointment, review your accommodations, request your letters and communicate with our team. This centralized system makes it easy for you to view and review your information!

To get started with Accommodate, please follow the Accommodate User instructions.

User Instructions

 

Student Intake Process

Self-Identify, Complete the Initial Request for Accommodations Form & Provide Documentation

Students with disabilities must self-identify by completing the Initial Request for Accommodations Form. This form provides our office with necessary information related to your disability and will ask you to include your documentation. Documentation requirements can be found on the next step. If you do not have documentation or are not sure how to obtain this information, you can call the Disability Resources and Services Office or you may ask this question at the intake appointment.

Student Documentation Requirements

Students requesting accommodations should provide documentation regarding their disability.

Submission of documentation is only one part of the interactive process during which accommodations will be determined. The staff in the Disability Resources and Services Office will work with students to determine individualized accommodations that are appropriate for the college setting. These may differ from the recommendations in the documentation or the accommodations a student received in high school.

Disability related documentation should provide information on the functional impact of the disability so that effective accommodations can be identified. Criteria for the source, scope and content of documentation differs by disability type. Documentation may include assessments, reports, and/or letters from qualified evaluators, professionals, or institutions. Common sources of documentation are health care providers, psychologists, diagnosticians, and/or information from a previous school.

Suggested Documentation Elements:

  • Typed on letterhead, dated, and signed by a qualified professional.
  • Diagnostic Statement with any related diagnostic methodology (diagnostic criteria and/or procedures).
  • Functional limitations or symptoms. (Limitations inform which accommodations are appropriate.)
  • Severity and/or expected progression.
  • Current medication(s) and any related side-effects.
  • Current and/or past accommodations.
  • Any recommended accommodations.

Personal needs such as assistance with meals, homework, toileting, personal hygiene, mobility training, etc. are the exclusive responsibility of the student. Other items that are not considered reasonable accommodations under the law include, but are not limited to, modification of test contents and waiving essential course or program requirements.

Intake Appointment / Interview

Once your Initial Request for Accommodation Form is completed and the required documentation is received, you will be contacted to schedule an intake appointment with a Director in Disability Resources and Services. At the intake appointment the student and the Director will discuss functional limitations related to the disability from the student's perspective and as outlined in the information provided. Historical accommodations will also be reviewed. Through this interactive process, the Director and the student will evaluate requested accommodations and determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Login to Accommodate 

Accommodate is the portal that Disability Resources and Services uses to give you access to your accommodation information which allows you to do semester requests for accommodation letters as well as to schedule appointments with our office. To log in, go to the Accommodate website (select “student”). You will then be prompted to login with your CCAC Net ID and password.

The Accommodate link can also be found under the Quick Links section on the MyCCAC portal.

Accommodate 

Review Your Accommodations & Complete Your Semester Request

Once in Accommodate, be sure to review your accommodations and complete your semester request. Each semester you must log into Accommodate to complete a semester request and have your accommodation letters sent to your faculty. Once your request is completed, you will get a message via Accommodate to log in and sign your letters.

Sign your letters

Once your semester request is received and processed you will get a message via Accommodate to log in and sign your letters.

 

Student Intake Process Steps PDF

Want to download a printable copy of the Student Intake Process steps? Click Below!

View Steps

 

Assistive Technology & Equipment

Reasonable and appropriate accommodations can include low distraction exams, extended time for exams and a variety of non-technical and technological solutions. Students who need digital recorders or smart pens may be able to borrow this equipment from the Disability Resources and Services Office, which is available on a first come, first serve basis and must be requested each semester. To request or borrow equipment, please contact Disability Resources and Services at 412.237.4612 or email [email protected].  

Kurzweil is a text to speech software program that allows students to highlight important information, make notes and pull this information into a study guide. It is available for students who qualify for this accommodation. Disability Resources and Services will assign students who qualify for this accommodation a username and password.

Students who are eligible for this accommodation can request E-texts by submitting a request in writing, along with proof of purchase of the book (receipts) to [email protected]. Once the request is completed someone from the Supportive Service Office will be in contact to discuss delivery options.

 

 

Contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services

Make an appointment to meet with a member of our team

We can meet with students on-site at one of our four campus locations or virtually via zoom. Current students can make an appointment through Accommodate or by calling or emailing us. New students should start the registration process with Disability Resources and Services by completing the Interview Form.

Campus Locations

 

North Campus

Room 1008

South Campus

Building B
Room 311