Students with Disabilities in Community College

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SNAPSHOT: Bobbie Page, a student at Community College of San Francisco, is legally blind. She returned to college to major in mathematics. "Take advantage of any services that are available. You will definitely benefit, not only in terms of your education, but also your self-esteem. The encouragement of my instructors and the special services"such as large-type texts, preferential seating in the classroom, and taking tests by computer, with additional time to take tests"have made all the difference in my being successful. It also helps to introduce yourself to your instructors before class starts. Tell them about your disability so they won't be surprised if you need special accommodations."

Disabilities cover a broad range of conditions, including, but not limited to, visual, hearing, and speech impairment; learning disabilities; psychological or psychiatric disorders; mobility loss; cerebral palsy; traumatic brain or closed head injury; and ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). A wide range of services is available, such as assistive technology (special keyboards, speaking dictionaries, Braille listening devices, and so on), readers or scribes, interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing, and special arrangements for exams.

If you have a disability, you'll need to meet the same admissions criteria as other students and go through the same application process. If you want to access supportive services, however, you will need to identify yourself to the college and be registered with the office that offers services to students with disabilities. (Your college may call this office "Disabled Support Services," the "Office for Students with Disabilities," or some similar title.)

Information about additional forms that you will need to file will be available online or through the office for students with disabilities. This office willl also provide you with counseling services and assistance in completing the forms. 

You will need to supply appropriate documentation about the nature of your disability, treatment, prognosis, and other relevant material required by your college's guidelines to the office for students with disabilities. A counselor will also discuss your eligibility for service with you, evaluate the types of services you need, review your assessment test scores, and help you plan a schedule.

You'll need to fill out a request for services form that will help a counselor determine the type of classroom accommodations you will need. Once that is determined, you'll receive some form of documentation, sometimes called a letter of accommodations, to take to your instructors during the first or second week of classes to make arrangements for your authorized accommodations.