Accommodations

Accommodations are individually determined based upon discussions between the student and the Disability Services Coordinator, a review of the documentation, and input from relevant faculty/staff members (while maintaining confidentiality).

For documentation requirements see Registration/Documentation.

Classroom accommodations at the college level may differ from modifications that were available in high school. Accommodations may not alter an essential component of a course. Some common examples of accommodations that may be approved include:

  • Extended time on tests or exams
  • Testing in a separate room
  • Use of adaptive technology
  • Note taking services
  • Alternative format textbooks
  • Advance copies of an instructor's notes/outlines

Requesting Accommodations

  1. A student who is registered with the Academic and Career Planning Office (see Registration/Documentation) will meet with the Disability Services Coordinator at the beginning of each term and complete the Accommodation Letter Request form.
  2. The Disability Services Coordinator will draft a letter to each of the student's instructors listing the approved accommodations.
  3. The student will be notified that the letters are completed and ready to be picked up in the ACP office.

An example of a typical Accommodation Letter

It is  up to the student to distribute the letters to the instructors. This is important in order to protect confidentiality and to promote self-advocacy and independence. Students are encouraged to talk with their instructor about the letter and the reasons for the accommodations, but it is not required.

Faculty members are aware of the policies and procedures surrounding accommodations in the classroom. If a student feels comfortable talking about their needs, an instructor might be able to offer suggestions specific to their course and style of teaching that may be more effective than the accommodations alone.

If a student is apprehensive about presenting an Accommodation Letter to an instructor they can talk with the Disability Services Coordinator for assistance with this task.

 

 

Alma College is among the top 40 baccalaureate institutions in the country for the percentage of students who choose to study abroad, according to a report published by the Institute for International Education. Among Alma’s graduates in the 2009–10 academic year, 61.4 percent participated in study abroad, which ranked 37th in the nation.

 

Graduate Profile

Colleen O’Toole

Colleen O’Toole
Graduation: 2008
Major: Sociology and Religious Studies

Colleen O’Toole ’08 chose to attend Alma College not once, but twice.

Inspired by a philanthropy class, she took a year off between her sophomore and junior years of college to join the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), which aims to strengthen communities through team-based service.