Accommodations

Determining Reasonable Accommodations

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, or facility, which ensures that a qualified student with a disability is not excluded, segregated or otherwise treated differently. The modification or adjustment is not required if it would fundamentally alter the nature of the course, program, service, or facility or if it would result in an undue burden for the College. In addition, the College is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified student with a disability. To determine reasonable accommodations, Disability Services may seek information from appropriate college personnel regarding essential standards and requirements for courses, programs, services, or facilities. The Disabilities Coordinator makes final determination of reasonable accommodations.

Reasonable accommodations are determined by examining:

1. The barriers or limitations resulting from the interaction between the documented disability and the campus environment;
2. The possible accommodations that might remove the barriers;
3. Whether or not the student has access to the course, program, service, job, activity or facility without accommodations;
4. Whether the possible accommodations would fundamentally alter the nature of or effect the essential elements of the course, program, service, or facility;
5. Whether providing the accommodations would result in an undue burden for the College.

Examples of Services and Accommodations

• Extended time (1.5) for tests and exams
• Taking tests and exams in a distraction-reduced environment
• Reader for the test or exam
• Scribe for the test or exam
• Note-taking assistance (a classmate may take notes in a carbonless notebook provided by the Disabilities Coordinator)
• Use of computer and other assistive technology in class
• Use of calculator in class
• Use of tape recorder in class
• Interpreters
• Library/laboratory assistance
• Preferential course scheduling
• Accessible classrooms

Policies and Procedures for Obtaining Accommodations at Emmanuel College

Students who seek disability-related accommodations at Emmanuel College must follow an established procedure. The Disabilities Coordinator (DC) is available to speak with current students, prospective applicants and families about the services offered by the college and the requirements for eligibility for those services. To obtain special disability-related accommodations, students must provide the DC with adequate documentation of their disabilities and disclose their disability to the Disabilities Coordinator in person. Students are required to make an appointment with the DC each semester in order to receive accommodations for their courses. If, based on the documentation submitted, the DC concludes that a student is not eligible for accommodations or services, the student may submit additional documentation to supplement their request at any time. Regardless of the eligibility decision, the Disabilities Coordinator will provide guidance and referrals to on- and off-campus resources to support the individual student's academic needs.