General Information for Students with Disabilities

• Disability Access Center primary focus is approving and providing, in partnership with faculty, student disabiilty accommodations for classes.  Academic accommodations are provided to students with disabilities in order to level the playing field, and provide students with disabilities the opportunity to show instructors their true knowledge.

Requesting accommodations for the first time:

• Follow our Steps for Requesting Accommodations if you are new to DAC. These steps are required to create an accommodation plan.
• "Accommodations" are academic adjustments or supports. Examples of accommodations are sign language interpreters, extended time for tests, a reader, or alternate format (i.e. braille, e-text, large print).  An accommodation plan is determined by DAC with the student on a case-by-case basis, according to the nature of the disability and to meet each student's individual needs. 

Using approved accommodations:

• You must request your accommodations every term that you wish to access them by using the myAccess student portal. Certain services (for example, alternate media format and interpreters) take considerable time to arrange and may be delayed if you fail to provide timely notification. (Please see specific procedures for further details about appropriate notice.)
  
  
• Inform DAC, through the online myAccess student portal, of any changes to your class schedule immediately so accommodations can be modified as necessary.
  
  
• DAC will approve and email requested accommodation letters to you and your instructors after you submit your accommodation request for the term. Letters will be emailed to your Clark student email address. Accommodation letters usually sent one week before the term starts or in 1-3 business days if requested less than one week before the start. Contact DAC immediately if you don't receive your accommodation letters within three school days of the first class.
  
  
• To request a change in your accommodation plan, contact DAC for a Review meeting. Additional documentation may be required, and a review meeting will be scheduled. DAC recommends using all services at the start of each term. Accommodations are not retroactive.

Informing instructors:

• After accommodation letters have been sent, you are also responsible for contacting each of your instructors to discuss the accommodation.
    
• Have a private conversation with each instructor during the first week of classes or within a week of requesting accommodations. While your instructors will receive accommodation letters, you still need to discuss your plan and implementation with them. This conversation can be held in person or via email.
  
  
• Report any issues or difficulties communicating with instructors about your accommodations to DAC immediately. DAC can answer questions and address concerns related to equal access. If necessary, DAC may also act as a liaison between you and your instructor.

DAC responsibilities:

• DAC can answer student questions and address concerns related to equal access. If necessary, DAC can also:
  • Act as a liaison between you and your instructor. Facilitate meetings between students and faculty.
  • Contact faculty directly and if DAC believes faculty are not meeting required accommodations, inform the department chair or dean.
  • Inform students about the complaint process if DAC cannot resolve the situation or if the term has ended and student had negative impacts. Clark Complaints webpage.  Explain if the concerns are disability access related the campus ADA Coordinator may be the person following up.
  • Inform students about the Accommodation Appeals Procedure if student concerned about denial of accommodation or DAC not having providing adequate accommodation support.

Confidentiality:

• Disability information provided to DAC through your documentation or shared at your Access Meeting may only be released on an educational need-to-know basis or with your permission.
• Disability diagnosis are not included in accommodation letters, (unless a student specifically is requesting due to a medical alert need, etc., and DAC gets student permission.)
• Your disability status or accommodation information is not noted on your transcript.

Other information:

• Students with disabilities are held to the same academic standards and Code of Conduct as other students.
• Students can also discuss concerns regarding disability barriers encountered at Clark.
• Voter Registration: If you are interested in becoming a registered voter and need assistance with the form, please contact DAC.