Frequently Asked Questions

You will know that a student is entitled to disability-related accommodations when they present you with their current accommodation plan. The student will email a copy of their accommodation plan to you along with a brief letter of introduction. The student will identify the course code and section for which they're enrolled, describe their learning strengths and challenges, and let you know which accommodations on their plan they will need for your specific course as the need for accommodations is dependent on the intersectionality of the student's disability and the structure and format of your course. A reply email from you to the student confirming receipt of their accommodation plan and any clarification you may need is recommended.

No. You should not ask a student if they have a disability. However, to ensure students with disabilities get the support and resources they need, you should include BCC's institutional access statement on your course syllabus inviting students to meet with you to discuss their disability-related needs.

Access Statement: Berkshire Community College values inclusion and equal access to its programs and activities and is committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation. Our goal is to create learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and welcoming. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable academic accommodations, you are advised to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) prior to the start of a course to discuss your accommodation needs and options. The DRC will work collaboratively with students with disabilities to develop effective accommodation plans.

For an appointment, contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@berkshirecc.edu.

If you feel a recommended accommodations is unreasonable or fundamentally alters the nature of your course, you should contact the DRC as soon as possible so that we can discuss your concerns and make alternative arrangements, if necessary and appropriate.

If a student asks for a disability-related accommodation, but has not provided you with a current accommodation plan, you should refer the student to the DRC. A DRC counselor will meet with the student, determine eligibility for services and develop an accommodation plan.

When students need to take exams with accommodations, they need to schedule their exams at least one week in advance of the test date using our request form. Once submitted, you will receive an automated email informing you of their requests. You will be prompted to reply directly to this email by attaching a completed Exam Proctoring Checklist form and your exam. Accommodated exams are administered by the staff in the Testing Center located in the lower level of the Jonathan Edwards Library, E10. If you have a scheduling or proctoring concern, please contact the Testing Center. If you have an accommodation concern, contact the Disability Resource Center.

If you suspect a student has a disability, would benefit from accommodations, but they have not disclosed, meet with them privately. Discuss your concerns, the possibility of accommodations, and refer them to the DRC. Do not ask if they have a disability or suggest that they have a disability; instead, stick with the observable behavior/skills and the available support services that might benefit them.

No. You are not required to accommodate previous work submitted. Accommodations begin once the student has submitted their accommodation plan and you have verified receipt.

No. In most instances, you are not required to alter your attendance policy for a student whose disability affects his/her attendance. In the rare case that a student requires flexible attendance, the Disability Resource Center will contact you prior to approving the accommodation.

No. Extensions through the DRC are requested when a student has a disability-related illness or when symptoms of their disability are exacerbated. Extensions for assignments are based on a course by course, assignment by assignment basis. DRC will contact faculty when extensions are requested for disability-related reasons.

Typically, students do not need note-takers for online classes, unless lectures are taught "live" (synchronous). If your course consists of live lectures, please consider recording it and posting the recording to your Moodle page for students to review. This will benefit all students, not just students with disabilities.

If you do not record your live lecture or provide notes on your Moodle page, students who require note-taking accommodations will need to use a smart pen, digital recorder or other assistive technology to capture your lecture. Some students may need to obtain copies of your lecture notes or a classmate's lecture notes. Please be assured, students have been made aware that your recorded lecture may be protected by state and federal copyright law and that using it outside of their educational purposes may subject them to disciplinary action under the Code of Conduct and/or penalties under state and federal law (e.g. copyright law).

At least four to six weeks before you take the Accuplacer or start your courses, complete the application for services and upload your disability documentation.

• Your I.E.P. or 504 Plan; or
• Educational or medical records completed by a qualified professional that state your disability and its current impact on your academic performance and other major life activities; or
• Your medical provider may complete "Step 2" in the "Apply Now" section above.

For more information, please refer to our Guidelines for Documenting your Disability.

No. Your disability records are separate from your college transcripts.

No. Disclosing your disability is a personal choice.

Please contact the DRC. We may be able to refer you to a community provider who can document your disability. We can also share the resources and support services available to all BCC students and help you identify effective learning strategies or academic technology.

You may be eligible for temporary disability accommodations. Contact the DRC for assistance.

If you need to use handicap parking, you will need to contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles. BCC does not issue handicap parking permits.

We do not offer scholarships solely on the basis of disability, but the BCC Foundation does offer scholarships to incoming, returning, and transferring students who meet certain eligibility criteria.

You may contact the DRC for assistance, the BCC ADA/504 Compliance Officer, or file a complaint with the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.