Disability Resource Center
Disability Resource Center Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General
- Do the IDEA and 504 laws in the k-12 grades apply at TMCC?
- The school district pays for a student to be tested for disabilities in K-12. Is that the procedure at TMCC?
- Does TMCC provide for specialized tutoring for DRC students?
- Does TMCC provide transportation or personal assistants for students with disabilities?
Distance Education Classes for Students with Disabilities
The following questions may assist in determining if online classes are a good choice for a student with a disability.
- Can a student with a disability receive accommodations for online course work?
- Is the student a first time college student?
- Is the student an "organized/self-directed learner"?
- How does the student's particular disability affect their ability to comprehend and process written information?
- Is the student comfortable with computer technology?
- Has the student talked to other students about the general format and interactions of online course work prior to enrolling?
- If a student with a disability is uncertain whether online classes are a good venue for them, who can advise them?
Do the IDEA and 504 laws in the k-12 grades apply at TMCC? 
No, see the link "K-12 vs. college" for some of the differences.
The school district pays for a student to be tested for disabilities in K-12. Is that the procedure at TMCC?
No. Colleges are not required to pay for assessments. The student is responsible for providing appropriate documentation at their own expense at TMCC. You may download the "Impairment and Disability Assessment Form" which can be completed by an appropriate professional. The DRC can also provide referrals to testing facilities for learning disabilities.
Does TMCC provide for specialized tutoring for DRC students?
According to the Office For Civil Rights (Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education, July 2002), "...Postsecondary school does not have to provide personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or student, or other devices of a personal nature, such as tutoring and typing."
As an additional support for students with disabilities, a registered DRC student who qualifies for tutoring assistance based on their documentation may obtain a referral from our office to The Tutoring and Learning Center. The student will be directed to meet with an intake coordinator to receive information about general college tutoring and, in certain cases, may be offered limited additional tutoring in pre-college level academic course work, such as mathematics, English and/or reading.
Does TMCC provide transportation or personal assistants for students with disabilities?
No. These are personal services not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The CitiFare bus service and CitiLift provide transportation to TMCC.
Can a student with a disability receive accommodations for online course work?
Yes. A student with a qualifying disability who has registered at the DRC may be entitled to accommodations for online course work. The student must first register with the DRC to be entitled to free accommodations and services. After a confidential intake interview (which may be conducted by e-mail, over the telephone or written correspondence), the DRC professional staff member will perform a review and evaluation of the student's documentation.
Accommodations will vary based on functional limitations from an educational standpoint substantiated by a documented disability. They may include one or more of the following: extended exam/quiz time, accessible podcasts, captioned videos and other specialized accommodations assigned on a case-by-case basis.
Is the student a first time college student?
Students coming directly from high school or those new to the college experience can anticipate a transition period. Students may not be prepared for changes such as the greater demands of college course work or self advocating to receive assistance. Sometimes it may be best for a student to manage the transition by completing their first semester taking traditional "on-campus" course work to become acclimated to the increased outside work load, the additional reading and study hours surrounding college classes. After the student is more familiar with the rigors of college, they will be better informed to make the decision to enroll in online classes in future semesters.
In addition, having a disability may impact a student's ability to process information, read, concentrate and have other barriers to learning. These may require additional studying, on-campus tutoring, taking a reduced course load and other available supports that need to be factored into an educational plan. Continue reading for more information regarding the online course format that may need to be considered in light of a student's disability.
Is the student an "organized/self-directed learner"?
The nature of online courses lends itself to a student possessing organizational and time management skills along with being a self-directed learner. There will be no "in-person" reminders from instructors regarding assignment and test due dates. Regular participation in online discussions may be expected. Preparatory skills, motivation to establish a regular study schedule and deadlines, the ability to navigate the Internet to gather information and independent follow through are important components in this type of course delivery.
How does the student's particular disability affect their ability to comprehend and process written information?
For students with certain disabilities, understanding directions, discussions and course material in an exclusively written format may prove challenging. Instructors will probably not be immediately available to clarify directions or course content. Some instructors may not have regular office hours, live in different cities or otherwise be unavailable to answer questions in person.
Is the student comfortable with computer technology?
Learning via a computer works best with a student who has experience in or is comfortable using software and managing tasks on the computer. Online course work typically involves a different, more complex level of computer skill than personal computer usage.
Has the student talked to other students about the general format and interactions of online course work prior to enrolling?
A variety of information such as course content and objectives, individual instructor style and general distance education course expectations can assist a student in determining if an online delivery format is a viable option. Deciding whether this format facilitates the student's need, matches their learning style and allows for successful completion of the course are important factors in determining if online course work will promote student success.
If a student with a disability is uncertain whether online classes are a good venue for them, who can advise them?
The disability resource center (DRC) has professionally trained and friendly staff members available to assist a student in weighing the pros and cons of online formats. If you are a student with a disability, are not registered with the DRC, are requesting accommodations or want more information, please contact us to learn more about our services, be put in contact with a staff member or to register.
