Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is eligible for accommodations?

  Accommodations are available to all currently enrolled students who have a documented disability that substantially limits them in one or more of life’s major activities.

• What documentation is needed?

  All accommodation requests require information from the student’s provider. Supporting documentation must be current, comprehensive, professional documentation that consists of a diagnosis of the limiting disability. Documentation should include an evaluation by an appropriate professional describing the current impact of the disability, the diagnosing professional’s recommendations for management of the limitations of the disability, and how these recommendations relate to the accommodation(s) requested.

• Is an IEP or 504 Plan from high school appropriate documentation?

  The information in an IEP, 504 Plan or Transition Plan may be appropriate documentation. A student may also wish to include a psycho-educational evaluation report/neuropsychological evaluation as supportive documentation. Please note: A student must request this information separately from their request for high school transcripts. The documentation should be sent to Champlain College’s Office of Accessibility.

• What information do you need if I am transferring from another college or university?

  For students transferring from another college or university, information related to your disability must be requested separately from a request for transcripts. You must request that documentation regarding your disability be sent directly from your current college or university’s disability services to Champlain’s Office of Accessibility.

• What if I require temporary accommodations?

  If you have a temporary condition or disability and require temporary accommodations, contact the Office of Accessibility and speak with our staff about your needs. The Office of Accessibility will request current, comprehensive, professional documentation of your temporary condition or disability and may ask to meet for further discussion of your needs.

• Do academic accommodations need to be renewed each semester?

  Yes. It is the student’s responsibility to request that their Accommodations be sent to their instructors every semester. This allows the student to self select if they would like to use accommodations in each course. Some students find that there are certain courses that are already accessible and therefore they do not need their letter of accommodation sent to that professor. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that their letter of accommodation has been received and to discuss the accommodations requested with each instructor.

• What kinds of accommodations are typically provided?

  Services may include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. Accessible classrooms
  2. Course aids (such as; extended time for exams, test taking in a low distraction setting and texts in alternate format).
  3. On-campus housing accommodations
• How do I request accommodations?

  Find out how to request an academic accommodation here and a housing accommodation here.

• I neglected to tell anyone about my disability when I registered for classes. Can I still request accommodations?

  Yes, but you must contact the Office of Accessibility as soon as possible and supply the proper documentation of your disability. There may be some delay in providing full accommodations.

• Will every student with a disability receive accommodations?

  No. Legally, accommodations must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Some students with disabilities will not need accommodations. The Office of Accessibility must determine the accommodations based on documented individual needs.

• What is the time frame for requesting accommodations?

  Specific accommodations are determined during a meeting with the Office of Accessibility. Students should request general accommodations as early as the first to second week of classes. Every effort will be made to provide accommodations in a timely manner, but last-minute requests may not be feasible. Students will use the accommodation letter to take the initial step to meet with their instructors at the beginning of each semester to discuss academic accommodations.

  Students with more specialized accommodations, such as the need for a sign language interpreter or transcription services, should request their accommodations at least 6 weeks prior to the semester starting.

  Find the deadlines for requesting academic accommodations here and housing accommodation deadlines here.

• Are there academic resources for students with accommodations?

  Champlain College has many academic resources available to support all students. It is up to the student to take responsibility to access the available resources. One resource is Champlain’s SMART Space, which provides free academic coaching and tutoring services to Champlain students.

• What is the objective of academic accommodations?

  In college, a student with a disability, who is qualified for admission, will have the same access to programs, services, and activities as all other students. Champlain will make appropriate and reasonable accommodations unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program or activity, or if it poses an undue administrative or financial burden. Often, the reason certain accommodation requests are not granted is that they go beyond the scope of this objective.

• Are accommodations the same college to college?

  Accommodations may vary from college to college. Students transferring from one postsecondary institution to another may experience differences in the types of accommodations offered.