www.pcc.edu/disability
After completing this orientation, students will know how to:
Understand the accommodation process &
Prepare choose level of engagement.
Engage
Follow procedures for receiving
accommodations & work with DS Counselors
to determine useful and appropriate services.
Commit
Take responsibility for initiating services each
term & continue to use services and
accommodations effectively.
Prepare
» DS Contact Information
» How to Schedule Appointments
» DS Student Checklist
» Brochures and Handouts
» Copies of PowerPoint Presentation slides
˃ Available upon request
Prepare
Disability Services at Portland Community College
works to ensure students who experience disability
have an equal opportunity to participate in
educational and co-curricular offerings. We do this by:
»Facilitating the Accommodation Process through an
individualized student-centered approach
»Promoting Best Practices through collaboration and
engagement within the community
Prepare
Counselors
Coordinators
Director
Disability
Services
Accessibility
Aides
Specialists
Administrative
Assistants
Prepare
» Services Include:
˃ Determining academic accommodations
˃ Disability-related counseling
˃ Self advocacy skills
˃ Academic success skills
˃ Consultation and referrals
» Working with Disability Services
˃ Student Choice
˃ Consistency is Best
˃ Typically meet at primary campus
Prepare
» Software
˃ www.pcc.edu/adapt
» Equipment
˃ General AT loaned through the Library
˃ Specialized AT loaned through DS
» Training
˃ Provided for all PCC students who want to
learn more about Tools and Techniques
» Consultation & Referrals
Prepare
» Provide equal access and opportunity in the
academic environment
» Are available to students who are working
with PCC Disability Services
» Documentation of disability is required to
obtain academic accommodations.
Engage
» Examples
˃ Testing
 extra time, separate room, etc…
˃ Classroom
 notetaking options, preferential seating
» Intent
> Accommodations provide access without:
 creating a substantial change in the curriculum
 altering essential elements or functions of a
course/program
Engage Commit
ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY
Students:
» Initiate contact with Disability Services.
» Provide evidence of disability before receiving accommodations.
Counselors & Accessibility Specialists:
» Determine eligibility for accommodations by evaluating each
student’s needs on an individual basis .
EACH TERM
1. Request accommodations from Disability Services.
2. Obtain Faculty Notification Letter.
3. Communicate accommodation needs to each instructor.
4. Follow accommodation procedures and timelines.
Engage
» Documentation: three potential sources:
˃ Student’s self-report
˃ Recommendations of qualified professionals familiar with the
student
˃ Documentation from outside sources such as:
 Professional diagnosis
 Observations by educators
 Documentation noting past use of services
» Documentation must:
˃ Provide substantial, clear and convincing evidence that supports
the need for academic accommodations
˃ Be current and specific
˃ Indicate how disability impacts student
» If disability fluctuates or is progressive, updated
documentation may be required.
Commit
» Approved Academic Accommodations (AAA)
» Informs instructors of accommodations.
» Review and request each term.
» Forms are customized for each class.
» Review with each instructor to request
accommodations specific to the class.
» Accommodations are not retroactive.
Commit
» Accommodation
Management System
» Using AIM, students can:
˃ Create their own AAAs each term
˃ Send email copies of their AAAs
to each of their instructors
˃ View and print their AAAs for each course
˃ Request, schedule and track the status of
accommodations
Commit
» A DS Staff Member can help you set up an
AIM account and show you how to use the
system.
» Finding the AIM login page:
1. Go to the PCC Disability Services (DS) main page.
www.pcc.edu/disability
2. Click on the big green button:
3. You should be taken directly to the AIM login page.
Commit
» For help learning and using AIM:
˃ Online video tutorials: Click the arrow button on the DS
main page (www.pcc.edu/disability) to go to our You Tube
channel.
» Open lab hours:
˃ Accessibility Aides will be available to assist students with
using AIM during scheduled weekly lab times.
˃ The schedule for AIM labs offered on each campus is
posted on the Disability Services website.
Prepare. Engage. Commit.
» Get started with DS online at
www.pcc.edu/disability
˃ click on the big blue button
» Releases of Information
˃ Complete if you want DS to help you obtain
your existing documentation.
˃ OHSU and Kaiser have their own forms, please
ask the presenter if you need one.
Prepare Engage Commit
 Get Started with DS
 Provide documentation.
 DS staff will contact you to schedule an initial
appointment when documentation is received.
 Individual accommodation needs will be
addressed during the initial appointment.