Accessibility and Accommodations

ACCESSIBILITY

• • Accessible Technology Center

    The Accessible Technology Center (ATC) continues to provide ATC Resources online through Canvas for ACCESS students and Veterans that register for ATC LRND2.  For steps on how to register, visit Accessible Technology Center.

  • Note-Taking Apps

    Note-taking apps are aimed primarily at students who struggle with the traditional listen-and-write note-taking method. They offer alternative means to record and highlight topics, from images, audio recording and dictation, categorizing and document annotation.
    
    Learn about the different Note Taking Apps available.

  • Screen Readers

    Screen readers are applications which enable blind and low-vision individuals to use computers and mobile devices. Screen readers provide voice (text-to-speech) and braille output for events displayed on the computer screen. With a screen reader, a blind person is able to use many popular and professional applications available on the market including but not limited to Microsoft Office, browsers, mail clients, cloud storage, and shared documents.

    Learn more about the different Screen Readers available.

• • Screen Magnification

    Screen magnification apps are used by individuals with low vision.  These apps take a computer or mobile device's visual output and enlarge it to allow for easier and more detailed viewing.

    Learn more about the different Screen Magnification apps available. 

  • Text-to-Speech

    This software is aimed at individuals with low vision and/or individuals who struggle with reading digital text.

    Learn more about the free or low-cost Text-to-Speech tools available.

  • Operating System Solutions

    The Windows and macOS operating systems offer multiple keyboard solutions and tools that are built into your computer's operating system. While these may not offer the same level of functionality and customization available from commercial or open-source assistive technology solutions, they can provide a basic level of access that may be suitable for some students.

    Learn more about the different Operating System Solutions.

• • MS Office and PDF

    MS Word and MS Power Point are the most common programs used for documents and presentations, as well as PDF.  All which have been enhanced to meet accessibility needs. 
    
    Learn more about how to make MS Office and PDF files accessible.

  • Canvas Accessibility

    Canvas is the learning management system adopted for the California Community Colleges (CCC) and offers a framework to support online education. The basic structure of the Canvas platform offers good accessibility support for faculty to create accessible learning materials. In order to ensure materials are accessible, it is important for faculty and online instructors to be attentive to the content that is added to their Canvas course.

    Learn more about Canvas Accessibility.

  • Captioning and Accessibility Resources

    In following with good universal design principles, we highly recommend online courses be offered asynchronously with full accessibility features built in from the start.  Real time captioning of live streaming media is very expensive and should be used sparingly.  Free video captioning is offered to faculty and staff by completing Mt. SAC Closed Caption Request.

    For more resources, guidelines, campus policies, and additional accessibility resources visit the Captioning and Accessibility Resources page.

ACCOMMODATIONS

ACCESS Accommodation Guidance for In-Person Classes
ACCESS Accommodation Guidance for Online Classes

Testing Accommodations

• • Extended Time for Exams

    Student will receive a specified amount of extra time, and is responsible for informing professor for each exam for which the student is requesting extra time.  Professors are able to adjust the amount of time provided to the student either in Canvas or in another appropriate way of administering exams outside of Canvas.
    
    Please note: The specific amount of time granted for this accommodation may be based upon the amount of time that the class meets for classes with set class times and the standard time that would be given for the test if administered during a traditional on-campus class session.  

  • Testing Scribe

    ACCESS students approved with this writing accommodation can request for an ACCESS employee to write the student’s exact responses on exams and quizzes.  

    Professors will coordinate with ACCESS to make arrangements for a testing scribe to join their class. This may involve adding the scribe as a “guest” in Canvas to allow them access to course materials. Inform ACCESS about your expectations regarding how exams are to be returned to you.

  • Testing Reader

    Canvas has text to speech capabilities through the ReadSpeak function. Students are encouraged to consider this feature as an alternative to having a reader. Information about the Read Speak feature can be obtained at the Mt. SAC Readspeaker web page.
    
    ACCESS students approved with this live reader accommodation can request for an ACCESS employee to read exam content word-for-word for exams and quizzes.

    Professors will coordinate with ACCESS to make arrangements for a reader to join their class. This may involve adding the reader as a “guest” in Canvas to allow them access to test content.

  • Testing Breaks

    Student permitted to take short breaks during exams shall inform their professor for need to take short breaks during an exam and clarify the number of allowable breaks and the length of time for each break.

    Professor  will accommodate breaks by adding additional time for the student in Canvas or in an appropriate way if administering exams outside of Canvas. Time associated with breaks should be in addition to any time provided by the extra time accommodation.  ACCESS can clarify the recommended amount of additional time that may be appropriate or if other options may be indicated (e.g. separating the exam into segments).

    Please note: The use of breaks as an accommodation is based upon the student’s disability based needs.  Students needing breaks for any other personal reason should speak with the professor.  Students shall refrain from discussing the exam with other persons during breaks and should not review any non-approved materials during the breaks.  Any concerns about academic dishonesty should be forwarded to the Student Life Office.

Synchronous Classes and Classes with Live Online Instructional Activities

• • Shared Notes

    ACCESS students accommodated with Shared Notes can be provided a copy of the class notes taken by a registered student in the same class for classes with live online lectures (note: Students are expected to attend class in order to receive notes).  Students may consider instructional materials posted online by the professor as sufficient to meet the same need for notes.  A professor may assist an ACCESS student in locating a classmate that will help with taking notes.  Once a Note Taker has been found,  ACCESS students will develop an agreed upon arrangement to receive the notes from the note taker.
    
    Note Takers can receive a stipend (payment) for their services.  Provide the name of your note taker to ACCESS so that they can be contacted regarding the possibility of payment.

  •  Audio Recording of Classes

    Students approved with this accommodation can record their class using their own device by following their professor's recording instructions.  Recording lectures are for personal educational use only and distribution, sales, or posting of the recordings online is not allowed. Delete the recordings when no longer needed or at the end of the academic semester or term.  

    Please note: Students should be allowed to record portions of the class that covers content for which they will be graded on exams, quizzes, and course assignments. Students are encouraged to refrain from recording portions of the classes that involve open discussions or that involve the disclosure of confidential or private information.

    This accommodation does not require professors to record and post recordings and does not authorize the use of video recording.  Concerns about the inappropriate use or distribution of class recordings should be directed to the Student Life Office.
    
    Contact ACCESS if you have questions or concerns regarding the use of this accommodation.

  •  In-Class Scribe

    ACCESS students approved for writing accommodation can request for an ACCESS employee to write the student’s exact responses for in-class assignments and may take notes during live online lectures.  ACCESS may contact professors regarding in-class writing expectations and may consider alternatives such as a peer note taker instead of an in-class scribe.

    Professors will coordinate with ACCESS regarding arrangements to have a scribe to join the class. This may involve adding the scribe as a “guest” in Canvas to grant access to course materials.

  • Personal Care Attendant (PCA)

    A PCA is an individual not registered for the class that provides approved non-academic personal care and health related assistance to the ACCESS student during classes with live lectures and exams.

    In the online learning environment, ACCESS students requiring the assistance of a PCA shall advice their professor(s) of the approved services and provide ACCESS with the name of the PCA for each semester or term during which the PCA will be assisting.  Any changes to the PCA’s approved services shall be discussed with ACCESS prior to making any changes.  Contact your professor should you need academic support or assistance during class.

    Please note:  The PCA shall only provide approved assistance. Concerns regarding possible academic dishonestly such as having the PCA engage in class activities on behalf of the student, having the PCA influence exam responses, or having high variability in the quality of academic work across class activities, assignments, and/or exams should be forwarded to the Student Life Office.

    Contact ACCESS with any questions or concerns.

Absences and Extensions

• • Time Extension on Assignments

    ACCESS students with this accommodation may be provided reasonable flexibility with individual assignment deadlines due to a health condition.  All assignment extensions must be appropriate given course expectations and learning objectives.

    Students will discuss with their professor(s) the need for an extension on an individual assignment,  If the professor finds it appropriate to apply the extension, students must complete the assignment by the agreed upon date.  All agreed upon due dates should fall within the current academic term. Notify ACCESS if assistance is needed.

    Please note:  Limits may exist regarding the amount of extra time granted to turn in a missed assignment late as well the total number of assignments that can be turned in late. This accommodation is not intended to provide ongoing approval to miss assignment deadlines.

    Contact ACCESS with questions or concerns. 

  • Disability Related Absences

    ACCESS students approved with this accommodation may be provided reasonable adjustments regarding attendance requirements for individual class sessions when medically necessary absences occur. The student may need to reschedule exams or submit assignments after the due date due to a specific class session absence.  Therefore, students should inform their professor(s) when a disability related medical issue interferes with attending a class session.  Comply with any agreed upon arrangements regarding making up for a missed class, rescheduling missed exams and quizzes, and turning in assignments when absent.

    Please note: Limits may exist regarding the total number of classes that can be missed. This accommodation is not intended to provide ongoing approval to be absent or late to class.

    Contact ACCESS if assistance is needed.

Alternate Media

• • Alternate Media

    ACCESS students approved for alternate media can continue to submit their Alternate Media Request Form by emailing it to altmedia@mtsac.edu.

Other Information

• • Other Accommodations and Questions

    ACCESS is currently developing individual strategies to meet the needs of students with disabilities whose accommodations require more communication and coordination than the ones listed above.  For additional accommodation support, please contact ACCESS by emailing access@mtsac.edu (please include your student A# on the subject line) or call (909) 274-4290. 

  • How to Obtain a Copy of Your Accommodations (Updated!)

    ACCESS is requesting that students provide their professor(s) with their personalized list of counselor approved accommodation(s).  Click on the MyACCESS button below to log in and follow these Steps for Copy of Accommodations  You may also send the ACCESS Accommodations Guidance to your professor(s) along with your Accommodations.