Office of Student Accommodations

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MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Office of Student Accommodations is to collaborate with students, faculty, and staff to create a campus environment that is accessible, equitable, inclusive, and meets the unique educational needs of enrolled students with documented disabilities. It is also our goal to maximize student success, self-advocacy, and independence in an accessible academic environment.

Office of Student Accommodations

Kara Kennedy
Coordinator of Student Accommodations
kara.kennedy@morton.edu
(708)656-8000 X 2433
Office 217 C

Getting Started: Welcome to the Office of Student Accommodations.

Morton College is committed to providing equal access for students with documented disabilities.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, students are guaranteed access to college programs and services.  Students with a documented disability may request accommodations through the Office of Student Accommodations.  Any student requesting accommodations must complete a Request for Accommodation Form, provide documentation, and complete an intake interview.  Student are highly encouraged to request accommodations early in the registration process.  Morton College’s Coordinator of Student Accommodations will assist you through this process and be available to answer any questions.

Step 1: Fill out a Request for Accommodation Form.

Step 2: Submit disability documentation.  For additional information, see Disability Documentation Guidelines.  Disability Verification Form may be required in addition to submitted documentation.

Step 3:  Meet with Coordinator of Student Accommodations for an intake appointment.  At this point, accommodations based on your individual needs will be discussed.

Step 4: Coordinator will create an Accommodation Plan which lists your name, student ID, courses, instructor names and accommodations.

Student Responsibilities:

  • Students are responsible for communicating with The Office of Student Accommodations and informing the Accommodations Coordinator of any class schedule changes including adding, dropping or withdrawing.
  • Informing the Accommodations Coordinator of any barriers or accommodations not being provided.
  • Requesting accommodations in a timely manner. Accommodations are not applied retroactively and become effective from the time the instructor receives the Accommodation Plan.
  • Communicating with your instructors about your accommodations and making testing arrangements in advance.

Access to College Programs

Post-secondary students with disabilities are guaranteed access to college programs and services by the following federal laws:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

"No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States... shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act

"Subject to the provisions of this title, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, program, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by such an entity."

Definition of Disability

The law defines a person with a disability as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The definition further indicates that you are a "person with a disability" and entitled to protection from discrimination if you have a disability, if you have a history of a disability, or if you are regarded as having a disability.

An "otherwise qualified" disabled individual is defined as one who with an auxiliary aid (e.g., tape recorder, text-on-tape, notetaker) or reasonable accommodation (e.g., test proctoring, extended time for testing, sign language interpreter) can meet the academic requirements that an institution can demonstrate essential to its education program.