Accessibility Services

Students with disabilities have equal access to educational programs and the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of campus life, as outlined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its Amendments. 

At the college level, students with disabilities must be “otherwise qualified,” meaning they are required to meet the academic and technical skills for their respective program.  In addition, any student wishing to request accommodations must self-identify, by registering with the Office of Accessibility Services, and provide documentation of their disability.  The College can only provide reasonable accommodations based on the history of the disability, reported limitations and/or respective documentation from a qualified professional.  There must be a clear association between the impact of the disability and the requested accommodation. 

For more information regarding accommodations at the postsecondary level, please use the following link: Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education

A reasonable accommodation is defined as one that does not “fundamentally alter” the essential nature of a course or program, and that does not cause an “undue burden” to the College.  They are adjustments, changes or alterations provided to permit equal access and accommodate a student’s disability.  Accommodations provide an alternative way to accomplish course requirements by eliminating or reducing disability-related barriers.  Think of accommodations as a way to level playing field, not as a way to provide an unfair advantage. 

Examples of reasonable accommodations often seen at a college level:

• Extended time on tests
• Distraction-reduced or alternate testing area
• Preferential seating
• Text-to-speech software
• Copies of class notes

Students seeking accommodations at Maria College must register with the Office of Accessibility Services by completing the online Registration Form.  Students who are registering for the first time, or those whose needs have changed, are also required to submit recent documentation of disability.  Documentation should be from a licensed, certified or otherwise properly credentialed professional and include:

• Information regarding diagnosis
• Description of functional limitations of disability
• Description of how the disability substantially limits one or more life activities
• Suggested reasonable accommodations to support educational success

Generally accepted forms of documentation include, but are not limited to: psychoeducational, psychological, psychosocial and/or medical evaluations.  Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and 504 Plans are helpful and may also be used as part of your supporting documentation, but may not be sufficient on their own.  Documentation from mental health and/or medical providers should be typed on letterhead, signed, dated and include the information requested above. The Qualified Professional Documentation Request is available to assist students in obtaining adequate documentation from their provider. 

Qualified Professional Documentation Request
https://mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Qualified-Professional-Documentation-Request.pdf

Following submission of all necessary paperwork, Accessibility Services will contact the student to schedule an Intake Meeting.  The meeting takes approximately 30 minutes and is an opportunity to explain the process, answer questions, review supporting documentation and determine reasonable accommodations.   Please note: No accommodations can be provided until all required paperwork has been submitted, reviewed and a determination is made regarding the requested accommodations.  

Letter of Accommodation

Students must obtain a Letter of Accommodation each semester by completing the Registration Form online.  Returning students are encouraged to do this once they have registered for classes.  A Letter of Accommodation will be provided to the student for each course in which they are enrolled, with accommodations tailored to each class, as needed.  It is the responsibility of the student to provide each instructor with the corresponding Letter and to make arrangements for the accommodations.  Maria College faculty are not required to provide a student with accommodations unless the student has provided an appropriately dated accommodation letter.  In addition, students must work collaboratively with the Office of Accessibility Service and their instructors to coordinate their accommodations.  Students are also required to notify the Office of Accessibility Services of any changes that would impact their disability determination or accommodations. 

New/Renewal Registration Form:

https://forms.office.com/r/8Yuded7uYD

Reasonable temporary accommodations are available to students who are experiencing short-term medical conditions or situations that may impact their educational experience at Maria College (e.g., recovering from surgery or injury).  The nature and period of time for which accommodations are granted will vary depending on the individual student’s circumstances, but are typically issued for a period of less than 30 days.

Depending on the nature of the temporary disability and supporting medical documentation, reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:  

• Extended time to complete assignments, exams and/or other assessments
• Electronic delivery of tests and assessments
• Virtual attendance in courses

Registering for Temporary Accommodations

Students seeking temporary accommodations at Maria College must register with the Office of Accessibility Services by completing the Registration Form.

Students are required to provide documentation from a treating medical provider that clearly explains the need for the requested accommodations.  Documentation should be typed on the provider’s letterhead, dated, signed and include the following: 

• A description of the temporary disability
• Expected temporary limitations
• Anticipated recovery time
• Recommended accommodations

Following submission of all necessary paperwork, Accessibility Services will contact the student to schedule an Intake Meeting to review documentation and determine reasonable, temporary accommodations.  A Letter of Temporary Accommodation will be provided to the student which they will need to submit to their instructor(s).  Please note: No accommodations can be provided until all required paperwork has been submitted, reviewed and a determination is made regarding the requested accommodations.  

Temporary Accommodations Registration Form:

https://forms.office.com/r/tWsQUAqgij

Testing accommodations are administered by Accessibility Services in the Callaghan Room, located in Mercy Hall.  All students wishing to use their testing accommodations in the Callaghan Room must submit the Testing Accommodations Request Form, located on the Accessibility Services webpage, at least 5 business days before the exam. 

This form is only necessary for exams that a student would like to take in the Callaghan Room.

Students will need to complete the following steps to reserve their testing reservation:

• Speak to your instructor to let them know you plan to use testing accommodations for the exam, and confirm the details of the exam which are needed to complete the Request form. These include date and time of the exam, length of exam, format (paper, computer), etc. 
• Submit the Testing Accommodations Request form to Accessibility Services at least 5 business days before the exam.    

Please note:

• If the instructor cancels or reschedules the exam, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Accessibility Services with the new exam information.
• If a student does not attend their scheduled exam time, it will be up to the course instructor to determine whether a make-up exam will be allowed, and to inform Accessibility Services of their decision. Accessibility Services will work with the instructor and student to reschedule the exam.    
• If a student arrives late for an exam, extending the end time of the exam will be at the discretion of Accessibility Services.

Testing Accommodations Request Form:

https://forms.office.com/r/nyDsb7FE9X