Accessibility Services

To get support from the Accessibility Services Department at MPTC, students must meet the guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A student is considered to have a disability if they have a physical or mental condition that seriously limits one or more major life activities, have a history of such a condition, or are seen as having one.

In college, a student with a disability must still meet the same academic and program requirements as other students. Students should contact the Accessibility Services Department as early as possible, share documents about their disability, and request any needed accommodations right away. Planning ahead helps make sure the right support is in place for a smooth and successful college experience.

You can connect with an Accessibility Specialist to make an accommodation request in a variety of ways.

1. By calling, emailing or stopping by the Accessibility Center at your preferred campus. See Accessibility Specialist contact information listed below.
2. By filling out our Initial Accommodation Request Form using this link: Initial Accommodation Request Form

Classroom and Instruction

• Note taking assistance
• Assistive technology (i.e. speech to text software)
• Alterative formats for materials

Exams and other Assessments

• Alternate exam formats
• Reduced distraction environments
• Extended exam time

Communication

• Sign language interpreters
• Assistive Tech devices
• Real-time captioning

Please note that accommodations will:

• Be tailored to individual student needs.
• Ensure access without fundamentally altering program requirements.
• Be determined through an interactive process with the student and the Accessibility Services Department.

Accommodations are intended to remove barriers for students with disabilities and create equitable access to the learning environment.

Reasonable accommodations are determined on an individualized basis as supported by the student’s self-report, documentation and professional judgements.

The following are just a few examples of accommodations:

• Testing accommodations (distraction-reduced environment, extended time, test reader)
• Note-taking services
• Technology adaptations
• Adaptive equipment (chairs, desks, etc.)
• Sign language interpreter
• Video Relay Service (VRS) phone access
• Text magnification

To qualify for academic accommodations, a student must first contact the Accessibility Services department, share documentation of their disability, and work with staff to figure out what reasonable accommodations are needed.

Note: The following steps do not necessarily need to be completed in order. Students who want to meet to discuss potential accommodations can schedule an appointment at any time.

Step 1: Complete the Initial Accommodation Request Form

Establish an Accommodate portal account by completing the initial accommodation request form.

Please use your MPTC email address, if you have one set up when you register.

If you have questions about accommodations or getting qualified, please feel free to contact the Accessibility Services office.

If you have questions about the college’s admission process, please contact Admissions at admissions@morainepark.edu or 920-924-3200. TTY/VP Use Relay/VRS.

If you have questions about Placement Testing, please refer to the Placement Testing procedures.

Step 2: Gather and submit supporting documentation

Submit documentation by uploading it in the request form or bringing it to your New Student Intake meeting. If you do not have documentation to provide, a staff member will work with you to request documentation on your behalf.

Helpful documentation will:

• include a diagnosis
• address functional limitation and/or note the major life activities impacted by the impairment
• support the need for accommodations

Examples of Documentation:

• Psychological Evaluation
• Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
• 504 Plan
• Summary of Performance
• Vocational Evaluation
• Accommodations Statement
• Medical Documentation or documentation from a specialist (Audiologist, neurologist, psychiatrist)

Step 3: Attend a New Student Intake Meeting

Within the request form, choose an option that best meets your needs for scheduling a New Student Intake meeting.

The New Student Intake meeting is a conversation about your request and documentation, accommodation history, and the impact of your condition(s). We also explain processes for implementing your accommodations in your courses. Intake meetings are generally 30 minutes in duration.

Students with documented disabilities who need accommodations for placement testing or non-course exams are welcome to work with Accessibility Services to complete the accommodations process.

Placement or non-course testing includes:

• TABE
• Accuplacer
• State or National Exams
• GED/HSED
• HESI

We recommend starting the process early as timelines vary for each exam. If you are currently working with Accessibility Resources, please contact the Accessibility Specialist on your campus to discuss the process. If you have not previously requested accommodations, please start by submitting an accommodation request through the Accommodate Portal.

Temporary accommodations are available for students experiencing temporary illness, injury or medical condition. These accommodations are typically provided for a limited period of time and are based on the medical condition and the supporting documentation provided. If you require temporary accommodations in order to effectively participate at MPTC, please contact Accessibility Services.

Transitioning to college is a challenging time for most students; it can be even more challenging for students with disabilities. We’re here to help. The office of Accessibility Services collaborates with students to empower them to be their own best advocates. Reach out to Accessibility Services to discuss available accommodations and support.

All Information regarding students with disabilities and accommodations is strictly confidential, shared on a need to know basis only. Please communicate with and about students with disabilities and accommodations in private.

All syllabi for MPTC courses should have a link to the Guidelines for Success document, which includes information on how students can get in touch with Accessibility Services. Please review this document with your students at the beginning of each course.