Accommodations
The Student Disability Services provides a wide variety of accommodations for students. The following is an example of some of the accommodations but it is not limited to this list.
- Adjustable Chair, Desk, Table
- Alternative Test Format
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Assistive Technology
- Audio Books
- Calculator
- CCTV
- Digital Recorder
- Distraction-Reduced Testing Environment
- Extended Time for Test
- Large Print
- Lecture Notes
- Magnifier
- Note takers, Readers, Scribes
- Open and Closed Captioning
- Preferential Seating
- Sign Language Interpreter
Accommodations will be provided by the counselor depending on the needs and request of each individual student.
Priority Registration
Students with disabilities who qualify for this service can register beginning with the first day of pre-registration. The purpose of priority registration is to allow students with disabilities the ability to schedule classes in a manner which allows their schedule to conform to the needs associated with their disability or to assist CSDS in coordinating services more efficiently (due to medication or treatments, mobility concerns, fatigue, need for extended time on tests, need to coordinate interpreting services, etc). Students eligible for priority registration must contact CSDS each advising/pre-registration period. Any holds on the student account will block priority registration.
Testing Accommodations
If a student qualifies for extended time on tests, distraction-reduced testing environments, or adaptive technology, and the faculty need assistance in providing the accommodation, tests or exams can be taken in CSDS. The student and faculty will need to complete the CSDS Test Proctoring form and return it to CSDS. These forms can be picked up in CSDS. The student is responsible for reserving the time, preferably the same time as the class, to take the exam. Students taking exams in CSDS are expected to adhere to South Texas College’s academic honesty policy. The testing procedure is as follows:
Accessible “Handicapped” Parking
South Texas College is committed to provide safe and secure parking areas for faculty, staff, students and visitors. All faculty, staff and students are required to obtain parking permits. These permits can be obtained at any of the South Texas College Campus Information Centers.
Handicapped parking spaces are reserved for individuals who have been issued a valid handicap placard or disabled veteran license plates by the state of Texas and have a valid South Texas College parking permit. These spaces are not for use by individuals who are not handicap, even if the vehicle displays a handicap placard.
Note taker
Note taker support is provided for students with a documented disability that may interfere with their ability to take notes in class. Students who qualify for note-taking support may recruit their own note-taker or may request that this be done through faculty. Note-taking support is considered a supplement to a student’s own notes and is not considered a substitute for a student’s full participation/attendance. Include Volunteer Note-taker announcement form. Faculty may also provide copies of their own lecture notes.
Alternative Format Materials
Students who qualify for this service may request that print materials (books, notes, etc.) be converted to a format such as electronic text, Braille, or audio. South Texas College may obtain texts from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, directly from publishers, or the alternative format may be produced on-site.
It is the responsibility of the student to provide CSDS with the appropriate information about each requested text (title, author, publisher, copyright date, etc.). The CSDS requests a 3 week notice to obtain alternative formats before the start of the semester; however, all requests will be processed as quickly as possible regardless of when they are received.
CSDS requests from Faculty a 2 week notice to submit print materials (books, notes, tests, etc.) to be converted to an alternate format.
Sign Language Interpreting
Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (D/HOH) students may request interpreting services as appropriate and necessary. There is a separate section within this handbook with further information for faculty and staff.
A separate handbook is also available for a student that outlines services and procedures for students who are Deaf/HOH. This additional resource contains much more detailed information and can be obtained in CSDS. All Deaf/HOH students will be provided a copy of this document upon request and when registering for services.
South Texas College does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, disabilities, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law. Conduct that excludes participation, denies benefits or subjects others to discrimination is prohibited. The College complies with all applicable policies and state and federal legislation in order to combat discrimination.