Policies and Procedures Guidelines

It is the responsibility of the student with a disability to self-identify to the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources (ED 100, 732.906.2546) and to request appropriate accommodations. Students requesting services are required to complete a Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources Application and submit appropriate documentation in a timely manner.

Eligibility for services and accommodations for a student with disabilities is based on review of appropriate documentation. Middlesex College reserves the right to request additional documentation.

Examples of appropriate documentation for various disabilities may include:

1. Students with learning disabilities should provide recent written documentation (typically within the last three years) which includes:
   1. Psychological evaluation (WAIS preferred; standard scores should be used) including sub-test scores.
   2. An educational evaluation (Woodcock Johnson IV preferred; standard scores should be used) with sub-test scores.
   3. A discussion of the nature and severity of the learning disability and its impact on academic work.
2. Students with physical, visual, hearing, emotional, or other health impairments must provide:
   1. Medical and/or psychological documentation of the impairment; and
   2. Professional recommendations of accommodations necessitated by the impairment in an academic setting.

The College is not responsible for diagnosing a student’s disabilities.

It is the student’s responsibility to make a specific request for an accommodation and allow sufficient time for the arrangements to be made. Interpreter Services require six to eight weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Once the accommodation need has been verified by the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources Staff, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with a staff member to complete a Letter of Accommodation Form and transmit it to the faculty member or office involved. Classroom Accommodation Forms must be completed each and every semester.

Any documentation provided to the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources Staff is treated as confidential material. This information is not released without the student’s written consent. Confidential records are maintained for seven years after a student graduates or leaves the College. Students are advised to maintain their own personal file copy of any paperwork submitted to the office.

1. Notification. The student must notify the instructor that he/she may need alternative methods of testing during the semester. Verification of this need can be obtained from the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources, 732.906.2546, Edison Hall. Instructors should feel free to call if there are any questions about stated needs or requested accommodations for testing.
2. Test Provision and Instructions. The student must provide the instructor with an Adaptive Testing form a week prior to test date. This needs to be done for each test to be taken in the Adaptive Testing Center.  The instructor is required to deliver the test several days in advance to the Adaptive Testing Center. In addition, the instructor should specify any special directions regarding administration or note any allowable materials on the “Adapted Testing Service” form.   Tests should be delivered by the instructor to the Testing Center, JLC 229.  Exams or tests should not be delivered by students or through campus mail.
3. Scheduling of Examination. The student is responsible for scheduling the date and time of an examination, as far in advance as possible and with the instructor’s approval. It is preferred that students schedule the alternative test-taking appointment at the same time that the rest of the class is taking the test.
4. Test Administration and Security. Adaptive Testing staff will log the receipt of the test, the instructions, the amount of time used, and proctor’s name. Completed tests will be available for pick up at the Testing Center.
5. Student Responsibilities. Students are expected to complete a contract which outlines procedures in order to use the service. Any student found cheating will be referred immediately to his or her instructor for sanctions under their cheating policy.

1. Class Relocation. When necessary and feasible, classes will be moved to accessible locations to accommodate students with mobility impairments. Most College buildings are accessible, however, if a student needs to meet with a staff person whose office is in an inaccessible location, the staff person will relocate to an alternate location.
2. Notetakers. If a student needs a notetaker for a class, several options are used by the College to satisfy the request. In some cases, the instructor of the class is asked to identify a student to act as a peer notetaker. A volunteer from class may be paid a stipend for their services. Some students may use shared notes and others prefer to use a recorder/smart pen. When a recorder is needed, the student will be asked to sign a Recorder Agreement Form, as part of the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources Policy statement to ensure appropriate handling of recorder material.
3. Interpreters Services. Interpreters will be hired for deaf students who use sign language skills. Every attempt will be made to hire qualified interpreters. Due to the challenges in securing interpreter services, significant advance notice is required. Six to eight weeks lead time is required.

   It is the responsibility of the student to attend every class throughout the semester. However, if there is a situation where the student cannot attend class, they should notify the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources Office, 732.906.2546, 24 hours in advance. Students who miss two consecutive classes without notifying the Office may have their services temporarily suspended. To continue services, it will be necessary to have a meeting with the Department.For interpreter requests outside of regularly scheduled class times, students are to contact the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources, 732.906.2546, two weeks prior to the event or as soon as they are aware of the need.

   If there any difficulties with an assigned interpreter, students are encouraged to discuss any problems directly with their interpreter before coming to the Office.

4. Recorded Texts. Many texts are now available as. etexts /downloads, allowing a student to use text to speech software. Recorded texts may also be ordered from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic/Learning Ally. The College maintains an institutional membership and has membership in several other repository. Students will be assisted in applying for such services and ordering texts in advance by Adapted Technology Lab staff. The College also maintains an institutional license to Read Speaker and Kurzweil. When needed the Adapted Lab Coordinator can also scan a book through a high-speed scanner.
5. Tutoring. Tutoring services are available to all students through the peer tutoring service in the Learning Resource Center, IRC.
6. Adaptive Computer Lab Equipment. The Adapted Technology Lab has specialized adaptive computer hardware and software for student use in JLC 241. A lab coordinator is available to assist students in learning to use the equipment and coordinates a loan program for many kinds of software and hardware.
7. Accessible Parking. The College’s Edison campus is equipped with handicapped parking in several locations on campus. Students who have New Jersey handicapped license plates or placards may park in these designated spots. Designated handicapped parking is also available at the New Brunswick and Perth Amboy Centers.

1. Equipment. The College does not provide personal devices such as wheelchairs or individually prescribed devices such as hearing aids.
2. Personal Assistants. The College does not provide personal assistants. The College does not provide personal services in eating, dressing, toileting or on-campus travel.
3. Transportation. The College does not provide on-campus transportation. However, if the College provides transportation to any off-campus activity, the College will make special arrangements for a student with a disability. Advance notice must be provided to the sponsor of the activity.
4. Services Animals. The College does not provide guide services animals. However, students are permitted to bring their services dogs to campus.