Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations enable qualified students with disabilities to have equal opportunities by making adjustments or modifications to courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, or facilities. Therefore, accommodations will be determined in the spirit of removing, to the greatest extent possible, barriers to students’ abilities that are created by the interaction between their disabilities and the environment of the College, while maintaining essential standards for courses, programs, jobs, services, and facilities. The College is obligated to provide accommodations only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified disabled student.

Accommodations do not require instructors to adjust evaluations of academic performance. Rather, they enable students with disabilities to learn the material presented and instructors to fairly evaluate students’ comprehension of the material.

The ODS staff will work with otherwise qualified students with disabilities to provide their preferred accommodations. However, in the event that documentation does not support a student’s request, or the request is deemed unreasonable, inappropriate, or an undue burden to the institution, the Office of Disability Services will seek appropriate alternatives in consultation with the student and/or the documenting professional(s) and other appropriate professionals as released by the student.

Typical Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are adjustments or modifications made to a school policy, or specific supports or services provided to a student with a disability, that enable the student to participate in school programs, including academics, housing, and recreation.

Some typical accommodations:

• Extended time on exams
• Reduced distraction environment when taking exams
• Use of a laptop for in-class note taking
• Use of a calculator for exams
• Access to audio books, text-to-speech programs, voice recognition software, and other aides
• Note-taking assistance (access to lecture-capture software)
• Reduced course load
• Priority course registration
• Accessible housing/housing accommodations

Auxiliary Aids and Services

Accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids and services are provided by Keene State College in the majority of cases. However, some auxiliary aids and services may be obtained through other organizations when possible and appropriate (e.g., Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Recordings for the Blind, etc.).