Academic Accommodations

Temple College abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which states: “No otherwise qualified person shall, on the basis of a disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any academic …or other postsecondary education aid, benefits, or services.” If you have a documented disability that may impact your performance and for which you may require accommodations, you must register with and provide documentation of your disability to the Office of Student Accommodations for review by the Coordinator for Accommodations.

Receiving Accommodations

Unlike high school, a college does not seek out and provide accommodations to students. In order to receive accommodations in college, students must self identify and apply for services and provide documentation from a qualified professional that confirms the existence of a disability.

Definition of Disability

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a person with a disability is one who has i) a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, ii) has a record of such an impairment, or iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.”

Substantially limits is defined as being unable to perform a major life activity, or which significantly restricts the condition, manner, or duration under which a major life activity can be performed.

Major Life Activity is defined as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working.

Documentation Guidelines

Documentation must include a Specific Diagnosis based on an assessment conducted by a qualified professional—one who is licensed or certified to diagnose the disability in question. Evidence of a substantial limitation to learning or other major life activity must be provided. Note: Depending on the disability, documentation may need to be periodically updated.

Once the application and all needed documentation is provided, the Coordinator will review it for completeness. If complete, the Coordinator, in collaboration with the student, determines what accommodations will be provided. The Coordinator will issue a memorandum to the student to take to his/her instructors outlining those accommodations.

Confidentiality

Student disability information is maintained in the Student Accommodations Office in accordance with FERPA regulations and will not be disclosed without student or designated representative consent. Confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed when providing services that involve external providers e.g. Note-takers, interpreters, test proctors. Although details about the disability will not typically be shared, a student’s name and circumstances, as pertinent to the service, may be shared.

After a student is registered with the Student Accommodations Office, Temple College staff will take the steps required to insure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently. Misty Reid is located in One College Centre, Room 1469. Ms. Reid may be contacted at 254-298-8335 or misty.reid@templecollege.edu. Students requesting accommodations should contact the coordinator at least three weeks prior to the first day of class, as time is required for the application process to be completed.

Accommodations may include but are not limited to:

• Interpreters

• Academic and vocational counseling and advising

• Special testing arrangements

• Materials in alternate format

• Various types of accommodation equipment

• Information and referral to other resources

A student is not required to accept an accommodation in all areas in order to receive services, but must have a file and appropriate documentation with Student Accommodations to receive the appropriate services.