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Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

It is important to contact a Center for Student Success professional prior to the start of the semester in order to receive accommodations in a timely manner. While we will make every effort to coordinate accommodations in a timely manner, failure to self-identify prior to the start of the semester may delay notification to instructors and timeliness of acquiring accommodations. Students who register after the start date of the semester will need to contact the CSS to ensure instructor notification.

STEP 1: Complete Jackson College admissions process. If not, a current JC student please make sure to apply and follow the New Student Checklist.

STEP 2: Student completes the Accommodations Request Form to notify the Center for Student Success (CSS) about the need for accommodations. 

*Note: If you receive an error message when trying to complete the form, please reach out to the Center for Student Success at JCCSS@jccmi.edu or call (517) 796-8415.*

STEP 3: If the verifiable documentation was not submitted with the “Accommodations Request Form” the student will upload verifiable documentation (i.e., medical documentation from a licensed medical practitioner, Individual Education Plans, or 504 Plan) through Accommodate. Students may also drop off a physical copy of this documentation at any Jackson College location.

STEP 4: Accommodate will send a request to schedule an intake appointment with a CSS staff member 48 business hours after accommodation request and document approval. If a student does not respond to the requests for an intake appointment, the request for accommodations will be denied after one semester. A new request may be submitted at any time if the need arises.

After the outreach listed above the student is responsible for contacting the CSS to have accommodation(s) approved. For more information about accommodation(s) please visit our Best Practices Page(link).

STEP 5: Once accommodation(s) have been approved, it is the responsibility of the student to submit a course request in Accommodate for each course they are enrolled in. For information on how to submit a course request, please view the Guide Page(link). Note: If the student adds, drops, or changes courses after submitting the initial course request during a semester, another course request must be submitted.

Accommodation(s) can be added or modified after the initial intake appointment. Please log into Accommodate or reach out to the CSS for more information.

Photo of the Accommodate logo, the words symplicity are written in gray and the name accommodate is written in blue. Links to the accommodate page.

As part of the criteria in registering for accommodations, an intake appointment will occur with the Disability and Inclusion Officer (Section 504 Coordinator) here at Jackson College.

During the meeting, verifiable documentation (medical documentation from a licensed medical practitioner is required, but Individual Education Plans and 504’s are also accepted) is used as guidance, but only guidance (i.e. some accommodations do not carry over from HS to College).  We will work together to discuss what accommodations are most appropriate for your current course schedule. Collaboration with content experts in the academic program (i.e. faculty, program directors) will determine if a request is essential or would fundamentally alter a course or academic program. A thorough overview of the program and course requirements and any alternative accommodations will be fully documented in order to create a plan specific to your needs. Additionally, the Disability and Inclusion Officer (Section 504 Coordinator) will ask for permission to communicate with course faculty and students will be notified of Jackson College’s Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) OF 1992 grievance procedure.

The agreed upon academic accommodations are then communicated to both you and the professors at the course start or at the conclusion of the intake meeting (if it occurs after the semester commences). Full documentation of this process is housed in the student’s case file which includes the date/nature of the request and any supporting documentation, along with any interaction between the College and the student. Should a requested accommodation be denied, timely written notification of the reason for the denial and a reminder of appeal options (student appeal via the College’s Student Resolution Advocate and/or through the College’s Section 504 grievance procedures) will be provided to you should you decide to challenge the denied request.

Thank you,

  • headshot of Janel Elenbaas

    Janel Elenbaas

    Director, Student Success Services, Disability and Inclusion Officer

    517.796.8499

    E-mail Janel Elenbaas

Click Here to access Name: Symplicity shown in gray then the name Accommodate shown in bigger blue lettering. Links to the accommodate platform.

 

New Accommodations

Add/Modify Accommodations

  • If you have accommodations and would like to update your accommodations please log into Accommodate > Click on “Add/Modify  Accommodations” > Click on “Add New” > Follow the instructions on the page.

Returning Students

  • If you have not taken classes in 3 or more years you will need to re-establish your accommodations. Please follow the step-by-step instructions on the Accommodations Process Page.

Current Students

  • You will need to complete a “Course Request” before or at the beginning of every semester. You will also need to complete a course request if you change classes within a semester.
  • To complete a course request:
    • Navigate to Accommodate
    • Log in with your JC email and password
    • Click “Accommodation” on the left of the homepage
    • Click “Course Request”
    • Select the semester you want to create a Course Request for using the dropdown menu
    • Once the correct semester is selected, hit the maroon button that says “Submit for All Accommodations” on the right side of the screen. 

Support Staff

  • Please use the following link to log into Accommodate. If you have questions or would like training, please reach out to the Center for Student Success.

Applicable Laws

High School  College 
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
Section 504 Subpart D, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504, Subpart E, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
IDEA is about SUCCESS ADA is about ACCESS

Required Documentation

High School College 
IEP or 504 plan High school IEP or 504 plan may not be sufficient. Documentation guidelines specify information needed for each category of disability. Connect with the Center for Student Success for guidance.
School provides evaluation at no cost to student. Students must get evaluation at own expense.
Documentation focuses on determining whether student is eligible for services based on specific disability categories in IDEA. Documentation must provide information on specific functional limitations and demonstrate the need for specific accommodations.

Self-Advocacy

High School  College 
Student is identified as student with a disability by the school and is supported by parents and teachers. Student must self-disclose disability to Disability Resources Office before accessing accommodations.
Primary responsibility for arranging accommodations belongs to the school. Primary responsibility for arranging accommodations belongs to the student.

Levels of Support

High School  College
Parents, teachers, and counselors monitor student progress and advocate for student to seek additional help as needed. Numerous supports available at the college level such as tutoring and supplemental instruction, but the student is responsible for locating and accessing those supports.
Teachers approach student if they believe student needs assistance. Professors are usually open and helpful, but most expect students to initiate contact if they need assistance.

Study Responsibilities

High School  College
Students are expected to read short assignments that are then discussed and often re-taught in class. Students are assigned significant amounts of reading and writing which may not be directly addressed in class.
Students may study outside of class as little as 0 to 2 hours a week, and this may be mostly last-minute preparation. Students need to study 2 to 3 hours outside of class for each hour in class.
Tutoring and study support may be a service provided as part of an IEP or 504 plan. Tutoring does not fall under disability resources. Students with disabilities must seek out tutoring services as they are available to all students.

High School Teachers vs. College Professors

High School Teachers College Professors 
Teachers often check completed homework. Professors often do not check for completed homework, but they will assume that students can perform the same tasks on an exam.
Teachers often remind students of missing work. Professors often do not remind students of missing work.
Teachers might provide students with material they miss when they are absent. Professors expect students to get material from their peers when they are absent.
Teachers are available to talk before and after class. Professors expect students to utilize office hours to discuss questions and concerns.
Teachers often take time to review assignment and test dates. Professors expect students to review and know information on a syllabus that outlines the course material and all due dates for assignments and exams.

Helpful Resources for Students with Disabilities

*Note: Guides for how to navigate the system will be posted during the Summer 2024 Semester. Please continue to check back.*

Accommodation(s) should be approved before the drop date of your courses to ensure a successful semester.

Accommodation(s) are not available nor enforced until the date listed for approval.

Accommodations should:

  • Allow a student with a disability equal participation in and benefit from all programs and activities
  • Level the playing field to avoid penalizing for disability-related factors
  • Make it possible for an instructor to fairly evaluate the student’s understanding of the material.

Accommodations should not:

  • Fundamentally alter the essential objectives of an academic program, curriculum or course, or lower the standards
  • Threaten the safety or health of self or others
  • Cause an undue financial hardship to the College
  • Cross the line between accommodations and personal devices or services

Course Requests

It is the students responsibility to submit a Course Request for each semester that they are using accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive, so it is best practice to submit the request either before or at the start of the course(s).

To submit a course request: Log in > Select Accommodation > Select Course Request > Select Add New > Select the Semester > Select Submit for All OR Select Review to select which courses accommodations are utilized.

  • Please note: once a course request is submitted, a copy of the accommodations letter will be sent to faculty via Accommodate.
  • Please note: if the student adds or changes a course after submitting a course request, a new request will need to be submitted in order for letters to be sent to the new faculty.

Photo: Accommodate logo the name Symplicity is in a smaller grey and Accommodate is in a bigger blue. Links to the accommodate page.

Note Taking Policies

  • If a notetaker is an approved accommodation, Jackson College will provide a notetaker based on availability. Notes from lecture(s) can be delayed 1-2 days.

Test Booking Policies

  • Testing session(s) must be booked at least 5 business days before the due date of your test(s) to ensure all testing accommodations are available.
  • Quiet testing is completed in our Testing Lab with no more than 8 students in the room at a time.
  • Students are allowed to use earplugs. Students may bring their own or can be requested at the start of your test.