Student Support Services - Disability Services

To access reasonable and effective accommodations, students can self identify their disability and can directly contact the Disabilities Services staff for assistance. These personnel are available on each campus and have offices in Student Affairs. In addition to self identification, an instructor can make referrals to the Disabilities Services staff after a student has begun classes.

The Disabilities Services staff, the student, and individual instructors together determine what services and accommodations are needed and how they are to be provided. Although students can self refer or be referred at any time, adequate and reasonable time will be required to develop and provide appropriate accommodations, which are provided at no cost to the student. When possible, accommodations should be requested a semester before they are to be put in place. However, Disabilities Services staff will assist students at any time to provide services in a timely manner. MSTC does not provide attendant care services. Students in need of personal care are expected to make their own arrangements for these needs.

To be eligible for accommodations, students are required to provide documentation of a disability which substantially limits one or more major life activities, show a history of such impairment, or be regarded as having such an impairment. Reports from medical doctors, licensed psychologists, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, a licensed social service agency, or high school EEN staff are examples of acceptable documentation. When requested, MSTC Disabilities Services staff works in collaboration with community agencies in coordinating services for students with disabilities.

Students with questions about availability of disability support services or establishing eligibility for services should contact the Disabilities Services staff at the campus the student attends. MSTC does not provide testing to diagnose disability, but can refer students to appropriate agencies for testing. MSTC does, however, provide evaluation and testing to assist students with disabilities plan and develop educational and vocational goals.

Reasonable and effective accommodations are individually determined and based on disability. Disabilities Services staff work with students, faculty and staff to provide adjustments and modifications within our educational environment that provide students with disabilities an equal access to education and the ability to participate. They are not designed to give students with disabilities an unfair advantage over other students. Accommodations provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.