Student’s Responsibilities

Students with disabilities are protected by strong privacy and confidentiality policies. Thus, no accommodations will be arranged or requested unless the student 1) requests the accommodation services, and 2) provides the necessary verifying documentation. Accommodation planning activity can begin only after 1) and 2) above have been provided by the student, and the Academic Resources Center through the Students with Disabilities Program has had reasonable time to evaluate the request and documentation.

Some accommodations require extra time to arrange, such as requesting books on cassette tape from the Library for the Blind or Recorders for the Blind and Dyslexic. If the text book is a new edition, it may not yet be available off-the-shelf from these resources, and a two month lead time may be an appropriate waiting period in such cases (see number 5 below).

In addition to requesting accommodation services and providing the verifying documentation, students are responsible for the following:

1. Attend all classes. Be sure to attend the first class period since general information on the course requirements, exam dates and other class policies are discussed. Generally the syllabus is distributed and required textbooks indicated. (Unless you check with the instructor prior to the start of the class, you may not want to buy textbooks before the first day of class. If you decide to buy textbooks before the first day of class, do not write in the books. Keep the bookstore receipts.) Buy your books and get started reading as soon as possible.

   At the first class meeting, introduce yourself to two or three other students in the class and exchange phone numbers. Ask them if you will be able to call them for lecture notes or chatting about things you don’t understand.

   If you miss class, call the instructor to explain your absence and learn if there is any special assignment. If possible, let the instructor know you will be absent a day or so before. The class syllabus will often include instruction for contacting your instructor in such situations.

2. Follow the instructions provided in the professor’s syllabus. If you have an emergency need for an absence, or other questions arise specific to any class, follow the instructions provided in each class syllabus.

3. Plan your week for study time and homework preparation. Start by scheduling three hours of homework for each hour you will be in class (figure one hour for each credit unit); after you have a semester’s experience, you will learn whether you need that much, or whether you need more.

4. Contact other agencies for services for which you may be eligible (Social Security, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.).

5. If you need books on tape, allow several weeks. As soon as you register for classes, go to the College Store and learn what text books will be required for each class. Make a list and include the title, edition, publisher and author(s). Bring that information to the Academic Resources Center (ARC), to the Students with Disabilities (SWD) Program. The College is a participating member of the Readers for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) and the ARC will assist you in requesting the books on tape from RFB&D.

6. Arrange for personal attendants if needed, whether paid for by an agency or by you or your family (colleges and universities are not required under ADA to provide personal attendants, tutors or personal items such as hearing aids, prostheses, individually designed and fitted special extensions or wands for computer or other resource operation).

7. Don’t rely on others to do it for you. Students with disabilities should process their own registration, follow through and do the paperwork for add/drops, follow the catalog procedures to request refunds, and when necessary, go to the Registrar’s Office to process withdrawals. It is important to keep the Students with Disabilities Program informed of the classes you are enrolled in and of any changes you make.

8. Complete and return program evaluations from time to time for services to Students with Disabilities program to use in program improvement.