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Available Accommodations

An academic accommodation is a tool implemented to ensure students with disabilities have access to course information and an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge of materials without the disability obstructing the process. These tools are reasonable academic adjustments based on individual needs. Below is a list of a few examples of possible accommodations in the college setting.

  • Extended Time for Exams - Students may be approved for time and one-half, or extended double-time, during exams and quizzes.
  • Reduced Distraction Test Environment - Students may request to take an exam in a location with fewer distractions, such as the Testing Center.
  • Attendance Flexibility - Available to students when absences may occur due to disability. Students are not approved for unlimited absences from class. This gives some flexibility to miss class when the disability impacts attendance so that there is no penalty for late assignments or exams scheduled during the missed class period. 
  • Notes from Course - Designed to give the student access to course lecture notes when the disability impacts the ability to take notes. (Students may have access to Sonacent, which is a notetaking application that can record class lectures)
  •  Audio Text – Through vendors such as Learning Ally and Access Text, students may have access to digital and audio text for textbooks. Some courses also offer digital textbooks that have audio text
  • Adjustable Furniture – classroom desks and chairs may be adjustable to fit a student with a verified need

Contact

disabilityservices@mscc.edu

Smyrna Campus: 615-220-7857

Moore County, McMinnville and Fayetteville Campuses: 931-393-1765

REQUESTS THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

  • Personal Care Attendants
  • Modified Curriculum
  • Alterations to Exams or Assignments

INITIATING ACCOMMODATIONS

The initial application for services/accommodations is completed through MyMotlow. When eligibility for services is determined, students will discuss an accommodation plan with the Office of Disability Services. A copy of the accommodation plan will be sent to each instructor. Students who have an accommodation plan should discuss the accommodations with instructors each semester. Students should ask questions about the course that can help determine how the accommodations will be applied.

Some ways to communicate with your instructor:

  • Schedule an in-person meeting – office hours may be available by appointment 
  • Email your instructor – use your Motlow email to communicate with your instructor 
  • Call your instructor – your instructor should have an office or contact number that is provided on the course syllabus

MAINTAINING ACCOMMODATIONS

Students who have developed an accommodation plan with the Office of Disability Services are eligible to continue receiving accommodations each semester they are enrolled in classes. Students are encouraged to maintain contact with the Office of Disability Services each semester to ensure accommodations are in place for courses on their schedule.

  • Connect with the Office of Disability Services through email, phone, or in-person prior to or at the beginning of the semester to review accommodations and information about your courses for the semester.
  • Students should plan to discuss accommodations with each instructor at the beginning of every semester.
  • If questions or concerns arise about accommodations, contact the Office of Disability Services as soon as possible to discuss the concern.
  • Provide any updated information to the Office of Disability Services if there are any changes in class schedules or any circumstance that can impact the accommodation plan.

USING TEST ACCOMMODATIONS

Testing accommodations are provided with the Testing Center locations at the Moore County, Smyrna, McMinnville, and Fayetteville campuses to students who are registered with the Office of Disability Services. Appointments must be scheduled as the availability of testing services at each location will vary.

To receive testing accommodations, students should:

  1. Contact the Office of Disability Services for approval of accommodations.
  2. Discuss the plan to use the testing accommodations with the instructor.
  3. Schedule your exam appointment through the Testing Center for your preferred campus location or contact the Office of Disability Services for assistance in scheduling.
  4. Plan ahead and schedule the exam appointment at least a few days in advance as appointments may be limited at times.

TYPES OF TEST ACCOMMODATIONS

Calculator – A calculator may be used to assist students impacted by processing math calculations due to a disability. The use of a calculator must be an approved accommodation and does not reduce the student's responsibility to follow appropriate steps to answering math test questions.

Extended Time – Extra testing time is approved based on documentation provided by the student. Time and one-half or double time are time extension options that offer the student additional time to analyze test questions as focus, processing, or comprehension may be impacted by symptoms of a disability.

Reduced Distraction Environment – An environment that limits or reduces interruptions or distractions allows for increased control of noise that may impact student performance during testing. This environment occurs outside of the regular classroom and is often a specified location such as the Testing Center. Other locations such as the campus library or private offices may also be used provided the environment is quiet with limited or reduced distractions.

Reader/Reader Software – Assistive technology or a person will read the test as written to the test-taker. The reader does not provide alternate explanations or modifications of test questions.

Scribe – Students who are not able to write exam answers independently due to a disability may need writing assistance. The scribe will write the student's responses to exam questions equal to the verbal information the student provides.

All testing accommodations must be discussed with instructors for arrangements to be determined.

Students must contact the Testing Center or Office of Disability Services to schedule an appointment if they plan to take the test at a Testing Center campus location

STUDENT RIGHTS

Developing an accommodation plan is an interactive process with the Office of Disability Services and the student. If the student disagrees with accommodations that have been determined as reasonable for the accommodation plan, consider the following process for resolution:

  1. Discuss concern or complaint with the Office of Disability Services
  2. Students can file a Student Complaint for additional review if a resolution is not achieved with the Office of Disability Services

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