Disability Services

How can Disability Services support me?

Disability Services can help students by providing accommodations, coaching, and assistive technology.

• Accommodations

  Accommodations are determined by documentation and by the interactive process. Students do need to complete the registration process with Disability Services to receive accommodations. Listed below are testing, classroom, and other accommodations.

  • Testing accommodations
    • Alternate test site
    • Extended test time
    • Test read
    • Use of computer for written responses
    • Alternative to scantron
    • Interpreter
    • Access to bathroom
    • Access to food and drink
    • Use of assistive technology
  • Classroom accommodations
    • Record lectures
    • Notetaker
    • Access to food and drink
    • Use of laptop in class
    • Use of adaptive equipment
    • Use of assistive technology
    • Preferential seating
    • Captioned videos
    • Interpreter
  • Other accommodations
    • Disability related flexibility/occasional absences
    • Priority registration
    • Braille
    • Accessible materials

• Coaching

  Disability Services provides coaching for students with disabilities. Coaching appointments are one on one appointments with a Disability Services Specialist. Coaching includes study skills and time management. In addition, Disability Services can help students with communication and other barriers they may face.

• Assistive Technology

  Disability Services provides assistive technology and training. Assistive technology includes:

  • Speech to text software
  • Screen reader software
  • Magnification devices and software
  • Braille printing

• Placement Test Accommodations

  All placement tests are untimed. So, the accommodation of extended time is not applicable. Each placement test can be taken separately or together. 

  If additional accommodations are needed, please contact Disability Services. Documentation is required for approval of placement test accommodations. You do not need to be registered with Disability Services to receive placement test accommodations.

  Please visit the Testing Services website for additional information on the placement tests: Testing Services

Am I eligible for Disability Services?

To be eligible for Disability Services, you will need to submit documentation for review and approval. Then, you will need to complete the registration process.

• Documentation Requirements

  Documentation must identify the disability and how it affects you. Disability Services can accept IEP or 504 documentation. In addition, Disability Services has a form that can be completed or the health care professional can write a letter.

  All documentation must be completed by a licensed health care provider such as a medical doctor, physician's assistant, psychiatrist, psychologist, optometrist, social worker, etc. Please note that the health care provider cannot be related to the student.

  • An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504
    • You can request your IEP or 504 from your high school. These records do not automatically transfer with your transcripts.
    • Disability Services requests the 3-year, re-evaluation and/or psychological report. This is usually done during your sophomore or junior year of high school.
    • The following information should be included:
      • Diagnosis
      • Explanation of academic, emotional, or social obstacles
      • Accommodations used in high school
  • Disability Documentation Form
    • The form is available electronically
    • Please visit the Disability Services office if you need a hard copy of the form
       

                    Disability Documentation Form

  • Letter from Health Care Professional
    • Health care professionals can provide a written letter with a diagnostic statement identifying the disability, the date of diagnosis, and recommendations for accommodations.
    • The letter must be on letterhead, typed,  and signed by the credentialed professional. It also must include the name, title, license number, address, phone number, and signature of the professional.
  • For deaf or hard of hearing students, the preferred documentation is an audiological report from a licensed audiologist verifying the degree of hearing sensitivity. The IEP or 504 documentation would also be considered for documentation purposes.

• Registering with Disability Services

  To start registering with Disability Services, please fill out the Disability Services Student Intake Form. You can attach your documentation to the form.

  Student Intake Form

  Please allow up to 1 week for your intake form to be reviewed and processed. A Disability Services Specialist will contact you via your Joliet Junior College email.

Grievance Procedure

The general grievance or student complaint process applies to all students. Students with disabilities who wish to file a complaint can use the same form. This form can be used for a complaint involving discrimination based on a disability or a denial of equal access for accommodations, auxiliary aids, etc.

• Mediation with Disability Services

  Students can contact Disability Services with a complaint. Disability Services will attempt to resolve the issue with all parties. If the complaint cannot be resolved, the student should contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

• Student Complaint Form

  Students can complete the student complaint form. Please refer to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities website for information on the student complaint process and electronic form.

  Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities

   

• Office of Civil Rights

  If the complaint cannot be resolved by Joliet Junior College, the student may choose to file a complaint with the Federal Office of Civil Rights.

  Office of Civil Rights
  Chicago Office 
  U.S. Department of Education
  John C. Kluczynski Federal Building
  230 S. Dearborn Street
  37th Floor
  Chicago, IL 60604

  Phone: 312-730-1560

  Fax: 312-730-1576

  Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov

COVID Operations

• Disability Services Office

  COVID has created unique obstacles for students and colleges. Disability Services will continue to support students with disabilities during this time. Students with disabilities are still entitled to their ADA rights for online courses.

  Disability Services staff is available to meet with students via phone or Microsoft Teams, and, when necessary, can meet with students in person. Please call or email Disability Services to make an appointment.

  Phone: 815-280-2613

  Email: disabilityservices@jjc.edu

  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.