Student Services

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Accommodations

Accommodations are adjustments to curriculum, materials, or the environment that help eligible students gain equitable access to the campus and their courses.  They are individualized based on student need and are determined via the interactive process between CAN staff, students, and instructors.

Executive Functioning/Academic Coaching

Executive functioning and/or academic coaching is a co-active process where the student identifies academic challenges in areas such as time management, organization, motivation, or general study skills, and the coach and student work together to identify goals and action steps.  The coach provides guidance and accountability partnership to help each student achieve their stated goals.

Academic coaching is available to all students at IVCC.

Learning Support

Learning support is individualized based on each student and the tasks they need to accomplish.  Support could include, but is not limited to, assessment of academic skill strengths and barriers, development of time management, organizational or study strategies, assistive technology recommendations, connections to campus or community resources, guidance on disability disclosure or communication with faculty, staff, or peers, or recommendations for evaluation of learning difference.

Transition Support

Transition support is designed to help students with learning differences get to and through college, and onto their next steps beyond IVCC.  Transition support could include:  attending IEP meetings, meeting with incoming students and families, offering summer bridge or orientation activities, first-semester check-ins, as well as guidance for transferring to another school or into the workforce.

Workshops, Training, and Events

Workshops and training on transition, accommodations, disabilities, learning strategies for diverse learners, executive functioning, time management/organization can be arranged for IVCC students, staff, and faculty, as well as the larger Illinois Valley.

Occasionally, events that center on disability and/or neurodiversity are coordinated through CAN.  Events might include workshops, orientations, or trainings provided by CAN staff or outside presenters.

More Information Regarding Resources

Requesting Services at IVCC

The Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity Coordinator is happy to meet with you to discuss accommodations that would assist you while you are a student.  Please contact the office at (815) 224-0634, email CAN@ivcc.edu or visit the office at the main campus in C-211 to schedule an informational session.  If you need accommodations or resources in an alternate format for this initial meeting, please inform us at the time you schedule your appointment.

The Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity at IVCC is committed to providing equal access for students with disabilities.  The Center engages in an interactive process with each student on an individual, case-by-case basis to determine reasonable accommodations.  Documentation and/or evidence provided must demonstrate a disability as it relates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

Providing Documentation

Students will be asked to provide documentation/evidence of the disability they are seeking accommodations for. You can find documentation directions here.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

Students with disabilities have the following rights and responsibilities. These are listed out for you here. In addition, if you receive accommodations through the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity, it will be required that you acknowledge these rights and responsibilities by affixing your signature to the form titled STUDENT'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (PDF). This form will be presented for your acknowledgment at your intake appointment.

Student's Rights

  • Equal access to courses, programs, services, activities and facilities offered through the college;
  • Reasonable and appropriate accommodations and/or auxiliary aids determined on a case-by-case basis;
  • Appropriate confidentiality of all information pertaining to his/her disability with the choice of whom to disclose their disability to, except as disclosures are required or permitted by law;
  • Information, reasonably available in accessible formats.
  • You have the right to file a grievance if you are denied an accommodation, or if you feel your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 have been violated.  You should:
  1. Discuss the situation with the Center Coordinator
  2. If you are dissatisfied with the response from the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity Coordinator, you can issue a complaint to the Vice-President of Student Services using the following link:

          https://www.ivcc.edu/studentservices/titleix.php

Student's Responsibilities

  • Meet qualifications and maintain essential institutional standards for courses, degree and certificate programs, services, activities, and facilities;
  • Identify themselves to the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity Coordinator at the beginning of each semester as individuals with a disability so that appropriate accommodations can be made in a timely manner. Students are strongly encouraged to make this contact several weeks before a semester, or within the first two weeks of each semester.
  • Provide documentation verifying the disability. If requested, students should follow established documentation guidelines, and/or procedures suggested by the Center Coordinator.
  • Follow procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations and/or auxiliary aids and services in a timely manner. This would include, but not limited to:
    -Scheduling a testing time with instructor and the Assessment Center Staff 3 days in advance of an exam or quiz.
    -Reminding the instructor of the need for accommodation at least 3 days in advance of an exam or quiz
    -Scheduling test reader services with the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity Coordinator, instructor, and/or Assessment Center Staff at least 3 days in advance of an exam or quiz
  • Providing appropriate documentation of a disability at least 3 days prior to testing accommodations being provided.
  • Contacting the instructor to get permission for a test retake if unable to test on the original scheduled day.
  • Allowing at least 3 weeks’ notice to the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity Coordinator if an alternate format text is needed. This is due to the supply and demand of Readings for the Blind and Dyslexic.
  • Allowing at least 1 month notice of the need for interpreter services or other services needed to accommodate hearing loss.
    Initially setting-up note-taker services within 10 days of the beginning of each semester.
  • Attending orientation sessions, or making arrangements for individual orientation if necessary.
  • Follow recommendations of the Center Coordinator regarding the number of check-in appointments, and follow-up support services per semester.
  • Adhere to the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook regardless of disability

NOTE – If these procedures are not followed, there is no guarantee that accommodations can or will be set up based on immediate need.

For New/Transitioning Students

  1. Apply to IVCC
  2. FAFSA and Financial Aid - Get your financial aid questions answered here:  IVCC Financial Aid NOTE:  Fill out the FAFSA online at https://fafsa.gov and list IVCC using the FAFSA code of 001705. For assistance, contact the IVCC Financial Aid Office at 815-224-0438. For a listing of scholarships, visit ivcc.edu/foundation and select “Scholarship Listing.”
  3. Access your IVCC Student Email & WebAdvisor Account. Get started with Self-Service at IVCC Self-Service. Access your IVCC email at www.ivcc.edu/studentemail
  4. Placement Testing - If you are required to take placement testing, you can find more information here:  Assessment Center Placement Testing   NOTE:  If you have an IEP or other documentation of a disability, please contact the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity PRIOR to scheduling a placement testing date so that you have the accommodations for which you are eligible.  Possible accommodations could include, but are not limited to:  calculator use, test reader, extended time on essay writing, and use of spell/grammar check on the essay.  Be sure to have a photo ID with you when you arrive at the assessment center.  Want to take a practice test?  Sign up for practice and learn modules as well as a full practice test by visiting Accuplacer Student Portal
  5. Counseling - Schedule an appointment with an IVCC Counselor to schedule your classes or to make an academic plan. You can schedule an appointment and learn more here:  IVCC Counseling
  6. Schedule an intake appointment with the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity by calling (815) 224-0634 or via email at CAN@ivcc.edu

For Current/Returning Students

  1. Register for classes.  IVCC Self-Service
  2. Schedule an appointment with the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity Coordinator before the new semester starts or in the first few weeks of the new semester to discuss the accommodations you may need in this new semester.  
  3. Will you require Alternative Text, a Notetaker, or has anything changed/updated/revised on your Medical Verification or Mental Health Verification Form? Access FORMS for these documents.

What's Next?

The student must self-identify to the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity if he or she would like to discuss eligibility for accommodations.  Please note that use of accommodations in a previous school setting does not automatically guarantee continued services at IVCC.  The student must initiate the accommodation process by contacting the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity at (815) 224-0634 or email us at CAN@ivcc.edu.

Students will be asked to provide documentation/evidence of the disability they are seeking accommodations for, or may be asked to meet with Tina to discuss concerns regarding academic barriers.

The Last Step in the Process

Your final piece to the puzzle is to present your accommodation letter(s) to your instructor(s).

In this step, it will be necessary for you to have a conversation with your instructor(s) regarding the specific accommodation(s) that you have for their class(es), and present them with your letter of accommodation. If you require an alternate testing site, or someone to read your test to you, it will be necessary for you coordinate your testing with the Center or the Assessment Center.  This is extremely important if you require an oral test reader or space within our office to take your test.

Please refer to the student's responsibilities that are listed above in the "Requesting Services" section, (additionally, you will also find this information under the Forms section), or if you need further clarification, please inform the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity Coordinator immediately.