Office of Accessibility Services

Auxiliary Aids

Auxiliary aids are defined as educational equipment, services, or adaptive equipment which assist the student participating in the educational program. These aids do not include individually prescribed devices/equipment, attendants or any other service or device of a personal nature.

The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) may oversee the request of auxiliary aids. The College will work cooperatively with referring agencies (Vocational Rehab, Rehab for the Blind, etc.) regarding recommendations for auxiliary aids and their provision. In some cases, the referring agency will provide them. Requests for auxiliary aids should be made at least eight weeks in advance of the semester. The college will make a good-faith effort in attempting to reasonably accommodate students until the auxiliary aid(s) is in place. Computer technology (equipment, software, etc.) involves the cooperation of the referral agency (if any), Information Technology Department (policies, installation, etc.), and the Purchasing Department (policies, availability of auxiliary aid procurement). This is a time-consuming endeavor. If the auxiliary aids are not in place, due to unforeseen circumstances, the College will make a good-faith effort to accommodate the student until the auxiliary aid is purchased and/or installed.  In some instances, it may be necessary for the student to withdraw from the course and register for the class in a subsequent semester allowing the College ample time to provide the appropriate accommodations.

Assistive technology is available through the Assistive Technology Lab. Accommodation request forms are processed through OAS. The College maintains various types of adaptive equipment for use by OAS students while in class. This office will attempt to maintain the equipment in good working order. Limited equipment is available for checkout. Students will need to purchase batteries if any are needed. Students are required to sign the equipment checkout form and are responsible for any damage incurred while in their possession. Equipment housed in the OAS offices must be returned directly to the Adaptive Technology Specialist.

IF EQUIPMENT IS NOT RETURNED BY THE COMPLETION OF THE SEMESTER IN WHICH IT WAS USED, GRADES AND TRANSCRIPTS MAY BE WITHHELD. THE STUDENT MAY BE HELD LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR EQUIPMENT REIMBURSEMENT.

THE AUXILIARY AID MAY NOT BE THE ONE SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED BY THE STUDENT BUT WILL BE APPROPRIATE AND REASONABLE.

Interpreting Services/Real Time Captioning

Interpreters and captioners are not College employees. The College contracts for interpreters/captioners through a local captioning business and interpreting agencies.  The agency/business determines individual interpreter/captioner assignments. The College reserves the right to approve interpreters/captioners assigned to our students. Supplemental interpreting/captioning (co-curricular event required for class and part of the grade) will also be covered. Coordination with community agencies will determine if services are funded by the College or funding/referring agency. If there is any dissatisfaction with the assigned interpreter(s)/captioner(s), the student should contact the OAS Coordinator.

Student Responsibility:

• Notify the OAS coordinator of any problems immediately.
  
• To assure interpreter/captioner availability, the student should notify OAS of their course schedule eight weeks prior to the first day of class.
  
• The OAS coordinator should be contacted immediately of any schedule changes.
  
• Follow guidelines of interpreting/captioning agency regarding cancellation notification due to absenteeism.
  
• Supplemental interpreting must be approved by the OAS coordinator. Requests must be made in a timely manner.

Interpreter/Real Time Captioner Responsibility:

• Follow their Code of Ethics.
• Report any problems/concerns to OAS.

Note Taking

The Office of Accessibility Services may assist students in locating peer note takers for their classes. In certain situations, an OAS assistant may be assigned as a note taker for their class. If peer note takers are used, the OAS can supply NCR paper at no cost to the student or provide free copying of note taker's notes in ADM 1204.

If the College arranges for a note taker (real-time note taker, classmate, or OAS assistant), the following will apply:

1. Notes will not be taken if the student is absent.
   
2. Notes will be delivered to the student in legible form within two days of class if not copied or immediately available.
   
3. In most cases, notes are available to the student at the end of the class period.
   
4. Note takers are expected to be on time.
   
5. If note takers will be absent, they need to contact OAS and the student so that a backup note taker can be arranged.

 Texts/Materials in Alternate Format

• Braille
• E-text
• Audio
• Tactile Drawings

All of the above require advanced planning and specialized equipment or software. These are provided based on documentation and student request. Conversion is managed by the Adaptive Technology Specialist. Students and faculty are responsible for providing the material (textbooks, handouts, supplemental reading, PowerPoint presentations, syllabi, exams) in a timely manner for conversion.

Students requesting alternate format must be approved for this accommodation. They must submit the list of books/materials needed (course, instructor, author(s), edition). Proof of ownership may be required. (Publishers request that this be verified prior to forwarding the e-text version to OAS.) If OAS converts the book, the spine will be cut for scanning. Our Copy Center will spiral bind the book at no cost to the student. Eight week advance notice is requested but OAS will make every effort to provide materials in a timely manner. Some items are not easily converted to certain formats. If this occurs, the student will be notified and alternatives will be discussed. OAS will handle conversion on a first-come first-served basis.