Requesting Accommodations (Disability Services)

Reasonable accommodations are determined and made available to qualified students with a disability through an interactive process and analysis of several factors. Documented needs include but are not limited to, physical, mental, learning, vision, hearing, or temporary disabilities. Accommodations may be provided using the following guidelines:

  1. The Accommodations Coordinator determines the appropriate accommodations on an individual and case-by-case basis after the student follows the steps for requesting accommodations including submitting a request form through Self-Service, providing the appropriate and sufficient disability documentation from a licensed medical professional to disabilities@mclennan.edu for Accommodations (Disability Services) to review, and the student has completed an interactive intake appointment with Accommodations. Accepted medical professionals include, but are not limited to: physician, ophthalmologist, optometrist, audiologist, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon or psychiatric professionals, including psychiatrist or psychologist (including school psychologist or other professionals licensed to render a diagnosis). Copies of High School 504 or IEP documentation can also be accepted upon review. 
  2. Academic accommodations are determined by an analysis of the following factors:
    • Valid disability documentation (see above)
    • Legal procedures established by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA
    • Essential functions of course requirements and individual classroom situations
    • Individual needs and reasonable requests of the student determined through their request form and an interactive process.

For other testing (TSI, TEAS V, HESI , etc.), requests for accommodations need to be submitted with sufficient notice so that the appropriate arrangements can be made. These requests may be made by emailing the request and documentation to disabilities@mclennan.edu and then scheduling and completing an interactive meeting with Accommodations. Please call 254-299-8122 or email disabilities@mclennan.edu for more information. Further information about the accessibility of the TSIA2 may be found at https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/training-materials/tsia2-accommodations-guidelines/

 

  • Steps to Requesting Accommodations (Disability Services)

    It is the student's responsibility to request accommodations. To request academic accommodations, students are required to complete a series of steps, preferably before or at the beginning of the academic term/semester, but registered students may request accommodations at any time. Students who do not give sufficient notice of accommodation requests are not guaranteed optimal accommodations will be implemented. 

    In order to receive accommodations, students must complete the registration process with Accommodations (Disability Services). This process is as follows:

    1. Complete a Register with Disability Services application in Self-Service
      1. Instruction for getting to Register with Disability Services Form.docx
      2. Receipt of the request, reminder of next steps, and a scheduling link will be sent to the MCC Student Email. 
    2. Submit documentation to Accommodations (Disability Services) by emailing it to disabilities@mclennan.edu or fax to 254-299-6222. 
    3. Schedule and complete an intake appointment with the Accommodations staff preferably through the scheduling link sent to you. You may also email disabilities@mclennan.edu or call 254-299-8122. The average wait time for appointments is 1-2 weeks, but may fluctuate depending on the volume of requests.
    4. The Accommodations Coordinator will determine appropriate accommodations through an interactive process.
    5. Once approved, students may access their accommodations list or memo by viewing Student Accommodations in Self-Service. 
    6. Instructors will be notified by email and will be able to access the student accommodation memo via the class roster in WebAdvisor or Self-Service.
    7. Students should also communicate with instructors regarding accommodations in each course, such as to clarify any testing arrangements. It is a student's right to choose whether to disclose their disability to the instructor or not. However, students are encouraged to collaboratively communicate regarding their accommodations. 
    8. Students should contact the Accommodations Coordinator if problems arise regarding the provisions of accommodations.
    9. Students are responsible for requesting renewal of accommodations every school year (Fall-Summer).

     

    Additional Important Points: 

    • While it is common for a student to invite parents or other advocates to be included when they are requesting accommodations, the student must be the one to initiate and participate in the interactive process. 
    • Students requesting accommodations from instructors which are not documented in the student accommodations memo will not be provided.
    • If you do not have a current student accommodation memo from Accommodations (Disability Services) you will not be provided accommodations until you complete the online request process and meet with the Accommodations Coordinator.
    • Accommodations are not retroactive. Faculty are not obligated to accommodate prior exams, assignments, or any course-related activity before an accommodation memo is delivered.
    • Students are entitled to appeal accommodation decisions of Accommodations (Disability Services) and faculty. All student grievances will be handled through regular administrative organizational channels or in accordance with other formal policies of the College.
    • Accommodations are active for a school year (Fall-Summer) and require renewal before each Fall Semester. 

     

  • Dual Credit Students

    Students enrolled in dual credit courses while in high school are eligible to receive accommodations based on their disability. To receive services from Accommodations (Disability Services) for courses at McLennan Community College, students must follow the request process established for all McLennan Community College students. Please see "Steps to Requesting Accommodations (Disability Services)". A 504 plan or IEP can be accepted upon review, but additional documentation may be required if it is not sufficient to support the accommodation request.

    While it is common for the student to request for parents or high school counselors to be included in the process of requesting accommodations, the student is the one responsible for requesting accommodations and participating in the interactive process to determine accommodations for college courses. 

  • Transferring or Only Attending Summer or Minimester Sessions

    Transfer and Transient students should contact Highlander Central to inquire about admission status. To secure services from Accommodations (Disability Services), transfer and transient students with disabilities must follow the same process outlined in the "Steps to Requesting Accommodations (Disability Services)". The immediate steps are: 

      • Complete the Register With Disability Services form through Self-Service. If you have difficulty with this you may email disabilities@mclennan.edu request information, but the online form is preferred. 
        • Receipt of the request, further step reminders, and a scheduling link are sent to the MCC Student Email
      • Submit documentation by emailing it to disabilities@mclennan.edu or fax to 254-299-6222. You may also request documentation or verification of accommodations (such as an Accommodations Letter or Memo) be emailed to disabilities@mclennan.edu or faxed to 254-299-6222 from your current or previous institution.
      • Schedule and complete an intake appointment with Accommodations (Disability Services), preferably by using the scheduling link sent to you, or by emailing disabilities@mclennan.edu or calling 254-299-8122. The average wait time for appointments is 1-2 weeks, but may fluctuate depending on the volume of requests.

      Common Points of Confusion:

      • Accommodations do not automatically transfer with students. All students follow the process of requesting accommodations, to include the intake appointment.
      • Students are responsible for ensuring disability documentation or verification has been sent to and received by Accommodations (Disability Services).
      • The Accommodations (Disability Service) Office does not request information from other institutions or providers.
      • Including disability documentation with admission documentation or turning it in at Highlander Central is not submitting documentation to Accommodations (Disability Services).
  • Temporary Injuries and/or Illnesses

    A temporary injury does not usually qualify as a disability under the 1990 American with Disabilities Act (ADA); however, the severity and duration of the injury will be taken into consideration. Accommodations (Disability Services) will make every effort to accommodate temporary injuries when possible. Some examples of temporary injuries addressed by these guidelines include broken extremities, hand injuries, torn ligaments, etc.

  • ASL Interpreter Request

    Please utilize the form link to request interpreter services: 

    https://form.jotform.com/231206326238045

    Cancellations and changes:

    • To cancel or change this request, please resubmit this form.
    • Notification of cancellations and changes for events should be submitted three business days in advance or as soon as cancellation/change is made.

    Advance notice needed for Requests:

    • Requests for events should be made at least one week in advance to allow adequate time to schedule interpreters, preferably as soon as event is scheduled.
    • Requests for campus services/offices should be made when appointment is set up. Every effort will be made to accommodate walk-ins. However, rescheduling may be necessary depending on interpreter availability.

    For immediate assistance or questions, please contact:

    Charlotte Powell, Interpreting Specialist

    cpowell@mclennan.edu                                                                               

    254-299-8743 (voice)

    254-523-4107 (VP)