Providing Disability Information and Documentation
Guidelines for Students
Being able to clearly describe your condition, its impact and your needs is important.
Practicing this skill will help you to work with your disability service provider
to identify needed equipment and services, establish appropriate accommodations, and
develop compensatory strategies. The following questions will help you prepare to
describe your condition, its impacts and your needs. Review them with your transition
team, counselor, parents, and others who can help you. Prior to "intake" all students
will be asked to complete the 'Self Assessment Survey.' This tool guides the intake process and enables the student to actively engage
with the Disability Service Provider in determining the most reasonable and appropriate
accommodations while attending Dutchess Community College.
How do you describe your condition?
How do you describe your condition and how do you want it described to others? You
may choose to keep information about your disability confidential. The disability
services office will need to have enough information to evaluate the need for accommodations
and services. Instructors need considerably less information and may be told as little
as which accommodations are appropriate.
What is the impact of your condition?
It is helpful to think about how your condition has impacted you in various situations
in the past, then to consider how it is likely to impact the typical activities you
can expect to encounter at college. You may want to pay particular attention to the
following contexts:
1. Classes (lectures, laboratory, physical activity, web-based instruction)
2. Assignments (reading, writing, calculating, keyboarding, library work, group work,
internet based homework)
3. Communication (speaking, listening, writing, using phones, using e
mail)
4. Evaluation (tests, papers, oral reports/group presentations/projects)
5. Time Constraints (timed tests, college deadline, assignment due dates)
6. Attendance (class, required activities out of class, residential requirements)
7. Campus (mobility, orientation/navigation, transportation)
8. Residence Halls (roommates, food issues, climate control)
9. Co
‐
Curricular (clubs, organizations, events, athletics)
What have you tried in the past?
What accommodations, auxiliary aids, adaptive equipment, modifications and services
have been provided in the past? Which ones work well? Which ones did not?
What do you anticipate needing at college?
Based on what you answered for all the previous questions, coupled with the increased
demands of college level work, what accommodations and services would you be requesting
at DCC?
*Please go to Testing Center Student Information section of myDCC Student Tab for
additional directions.