Your personal and educational goals are important. Disability Services can partner with you—encouraging and celebrating accessibility, accountability, and self advocacy. Let us help challenge and motivate you toward success.

When to Request Services
Students are expected to request services in a timely manner, usually prior to the start of classes. The time needed will vary for the service requested. (For example, some services such as providing texts in alternative formats can take several weeks or even months depending on the availability of readers, the use of outside agencies, cooperation of publishers, etc.). Students are encouraged to request support services as early as possible; the earlier services are requested.

How to Prepare for an Intake Appointment
Student intake appointments are arranged as follows at the front desk in Room M2710 or by calling 303.797.5937:

• Contact Disability Services.
• Complete the Student Information form and the Request for Services form.
• Schedule an intake appointment with a Disability Services staff member.
• Don’t forget to bring recent documentation of disability to the Disability Services Office as soon as possible, preferably prior to your intake appointment.

What is an Intake Appointment?

• After reviewing the documentation of disability and considering the request for accommodations, the Disability Services staff member along with the student will discuss reasonable accommodations. In some situations consultation with faculty, staff, and outside professionals regarding essential elements and reasonable accommodations may occur.
• The Disability Services staff member will discuss the following with the student: what accommodations will be provided; when they will be provided; who is responsible for providing them; and how they will be provided.
• The Disability Services staff member will share self-advocacy information and strategies to help the student discuss his/her disability and develop independence in communicating his or her learning needs to others.

Confidentiality of Disability Documentation
Disability Services will file official documentation of disability, including information about the manifestations of the disability. Disability Services will ensure that disability-related documents are kept confidential and shared with college personnel on a limited and need-to-know basis only. (Please refer to the ACC Student Handbook for a complete discussion of student rights and responsibilities).

Accommodation Certification to Verify Disability
The Disability Services contact person may create an Accommodation Certification for the student when the student requests accommodation directly from a classroom instructor. The Accommodation Certification does not necessarily state what the disability is, but it verifies that documentation of disability is on file in the Disability Services office. It shows instructors that an intake appointment has been completed and that a qualified professional who has worked with the student recommends specific reasonable accommodations. The form may also specify who is recommended to provide accommodations, and when and how they will be provided.

After the initial intake and approval of accommodations, each semester students are encouraged to contact their Disability Services Case Manager in order to review and/or update their accommodations for the next academic term.

Complaints
Students with disabilities are responsible for contacting Disability Services if reasonable accommodations are not implemented in an effective or timely way. Disability Services will work with college personnel and students to resolve disagreements regarding recommended accommodations. If Disability Services personnel are unable to resolve a situation, students who believe they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability may file an informal complaint or grievance as outlined in the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Attendant Care
Disability Services offers referrals to outside agencies or other resources which might be able to assist with the provision of attendant care. The College, however, does not provide attendant care or service of a personal or medical nature. The College is not responsible for transporting students from one location to another inside or outside the building, for feeding or toileting students, or for serving as caregivers or monitors in the absence of professional attendant care.

Homework Support
The College is responsible for providing equal access to the educational environment and to the information which is offered to all students. The College offers services such as print in accessible formats, use of tape recorders in class, the use of adaptive equipment in class, or sign language interpreting. However, the College is not responsible for providing support for the completion of homework assignments. Writers for homework assignments, page-turners to facilitate the reading of printed materials, proofreaders, "study-buddies," are not provided by the College as accommodation for disability.

Interpreting
Students who wish to request interpreting for a regularly scheduled class should contact the Disability Services office at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the class. Students who need an interpreter to access special academic functions in support of classroom instruction, registration, or other ACC programs or activities should request an interpreter at least 5 business days prior to the service date. Details regarding interpreting services can be found in the Disability Services Office or from a DS staff member.

No-Show/Cancellation Policy
Students are asked to give 24 hours notice when cancelling services. If a student fails to do so three times, services will be suspended until the student meets with his or her DS Case Manager.

Medical Emergency
The College does not provide medical services for students, staff, or employees. In the event of a medical emergency such as loss of consciousness or failure of personal medical equipment, college employees will call Campus Police and/or 911

In some cases, it may be advisable for students to share emergency information with the Arapahoe Community College Campus Police Department, 303.797.5800.

Temporary Accommodations
Students are required to provide documentation of disability at the time a request for accommodation is made. However, the College may provide accommodations on a temporary basis.

Transportation
Students may discuss transportation options with the Disability Services staff, and request referrals to transportation agencies within the community. The Disability Services office will also work with the college personnel to ensure that classrooms, buildings and programs are accessible, and that handicapped parking is available. However, transportation to and from the college and to and from locations within the college is the responsibility of the student and/or the student's family.

Tutoring
Students who need tutoring in support of college courses may request tutoring in Room M2720 or call Debra Goldberg, Tutoring Coordinator, 303.797.5824. Tutoring is not considered an accommodation for disability nor is it guaranteed to students because they have documented disabilities. However, students with disabilities are entitled to have equal access to the tutoring services which are available to all students. Students should request accommodation in the Disability Services office in Room M2710 to discuss tutoring access.

TTY Use
A TTY (TDD) is available at a pay phone near the Main Dining Hall for personal calls. If you need to contact Disability Services, our main number 303.797.5937 is equipped with a TTY.

Mission
The mission of Disability Services at Arapahoe Community College is to collaborate with members of the College community to assist the College in offering quality teaching and student support services to create a learning environment that promotes access and encourages success for all students. Disability services serves as a resource to students, faculty, staff and other community members to provide information, training, and professional development in the areas of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, legal trends, general access issues, cultural considerations, accommodations and accessible technology.