We welcome and support a diverse student body. We want you to think big about your future, and the Office of Disability Resources is here to help.
Our Philosophy
We strive to create an equitable, accessible environment for all students to independently learn, work and grow. If an aspect of the physical, academic or electric design impacts the student’s ability to take full advantage of the educational environment, we will work to either change the design or create an appropriate accommodation. A qualified student is able to participate in the Delta setting, with or without accommodations.
What is a disability?
The Americans with Disability Act defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.
Possible disabilities include, but are not limited to:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
- Specific Learning Disability in math and/or reading
- Psychiatric Disability
- Mobility Impairment
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Impairment
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Chronic medical conditions
- Temporary conditions, including complications related to pregnancy or concussion
- Recovery related to Substance Use Disorder
What is a reasonable accommodation?
If the symptoms related to a disability create a barrier in the learning environment, reasonable accommodations can be provided to fully access Delta educational programs and services. According to the Americans with Disability Act 2008, a reasonable accommodation is an adjustment to the environment that will enable a qualified student with a disability to equitably participate in the academic environment.
Reasonable accommodation assures that a student with a disability has the rights and privileges equal to a student without a disability. A reasonable accommodation will not compromise any essential element of the curriculum, weaken academic standards or create a likely safety hazard.
A reasonable accommodation is neither specialized education nor a modification to the curriculum.
Meet with us
We realize each student's experience is individual to them. If you have a documented disability that substantially limits your ability to fully access Delta's environment, you are invited to meet with the Director of Disability Resources. The confidential meeting will determine how/if your documented disability creates a functional limitation in the Delta College environment. Determination is based on a combination of your condition, experience, current or anticipated barriers, educational history, past accommodations and documentation.
Suggested documentation to bring to the meeting:
- High School IEP or 504
- Psychoeducational assessment
- Diagnostic documentation from a qualified, licensed professional (medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist or clinical social worker)
If you don't have documentation, you can submit a Request for Records/Release of Information form (PDF) and have your documents sent directly to us.
In addition, there must be a connection between disability and a barrier to the academic, environmental or electronic environment. If a connection cannot be made, we may ask for further documentation.
Roles & responsibilities
We want your interaction with us to go smoothly. Here's what you can expect from us, and what we need from you.
Here's what you can expect from Delta College instructors.
- Program and course design is accessible to all students.
- Office of Disability Resources (ODR) statement included in the course syllabus.
- Honor accommodations released by the ODR.
- Provide an accessible academic, physical and electronic learning environment.
- Essential course components for accommodations are determined.
- Will work with ODR regarding accommodation, implementation or consultation.
Here's what you can expect from the Delta College Office of Disability Resources.
- Determine reasonable accommodations for students experiencing academic, environmental, electronic barriers as a result of a registered disability.
- Protect the confidentiality of the student and their documentation.
- Provide information and referral to campus and community resources to resolve disability-related issues.
These are your responsibilities.
- Students who would like accommodations for a disability are responsible for reaching out to the Office of Disability Resources (ODR). In college, the student leads the charge to receive accommodations for a disability, as opposed to high school where the responsibility is on the institution.
- Provide medical and/or psychological documentation to the ODR.
- After registering with the ODR, the student is responsible for speaking to faculty about accommodations. As the relationship between student and faculty is a professional one, it is good to reach out to the faculty during office hours or via email to ask if there are any questions about your accommodations. You do not have to disclose your disability to anyone outside of the Office of Disability Resources.
- Whether or not accommodations are used, you are responsible for the mastery of course outcomes and objectives. No modifications are made, as that would change the integrity of the course. Reduced course work is an example of a modification.
Tools & services
The Office of Disability Resources supports the ongoing development of an accessible learning community, that embraces diversity through educational programming, services, resources and facilities that are usable by all members of the campus community. Explore the resources available to you.
We work to provide students with equitable access to all classes and programs. We have access to assistive technology that can support the input, expression and retention of curriculum across the College. A few examples are as follows:
Screen readers are computer software that speak written text. It allows students to listen to the written/typed text from a webpage, test, paper, or any form of document. Natural Reader is a free, easy to use software that can read text such as Microsoft Word files, webpages, PDF, txt, doc(x), pages ods, odt, and non-DRM epub files. Other options include Google Chrome, which has a screen reader extension; Adobe Reader, which has a free software download; or you can use the text to speech software built into a Mac.
ZoomText is a software program that enlarges text on the screen by up to 16 times. It is useful for students writing papers or reading online articles. It also has limited text-to-speech capabilities.
Speech to text is assistive technology software that enables human speech to be converted automatically into text. Microsoft Word has speech to text as well as Google Docs, which is called Voice Typing.
A Smart Pen is a pen device that allows you to take notes while simultaneously recording classroom lectures or discussion. Simply tap anywhere in your notes (they have special note pads) and the pen will play back what was said at that moment in time. The pen also saves digital copies of your notes, which may be transferred to a computer via USB.
Audio recorders are devices for recording classes, lectures, conversations and other sounds.
FM Systems are wireless assistive hearing devices that enhance the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants and also assist people who are hard of hearing but do not wear hearing aids, in particular over distance and in noisy environments.
We provide in person sign language interpreting services as well as video remote interpreting. ACA Video Remote Interpreting offers services with a secure internet connection and no software installation. We also provide live captioning services through Archive Captioning. Live captioning, also referred to as CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation), is the process of translating the spoken word to text so that the text can then be displayed on a screen
- Assignment calculator to help plan out projects or papers in a broken down layout
- Time management calculator
- Transcription/Hearing accessible and note taking apps (PDF)
- Visual impairment apps (PDF)
- Mental health apps (PDF)
Assistive technology can be found in the Office of Disability Resources. In addition, ODR staff can assist you with technology referral and free technology available through download on PC or mobile device.
Have questions about the law as you transition to college? You may find these external tools useful.
Delta College proudly serves student veterans by offering academic support services to students with qualifying conditions.
Included, but not limited to:
- Exam accommodations
Extended test times and reduced distraction testing environment. - Alternative media
Various formats for textbook and print enlargement. Includes electronic textbook that can be listened to and/or read. - Assistive technology
Computer screen enlargement, a speech to text program, text to speech software. - Note taking assistance
Use of Live Scribe Smart Pen to make “pencast" of lectures, audio recording classroom lectures, personal designated notetaker. - Assistance for the Deaf or hard of hearing
Sign Language Interpreting, transcribing, captioning and audio enabled PowerPoint presentation, use of personal FM system. - Advocacy
One-on-one interaction with Veterans Accessibility Specialist (a licensed social worker) to discuss accommodations, resolve classroom issues, etc.
Eligibility for Veterans Accessibility Services depends on a student’s qualifying condition. Qualifying conditions include, but are not limited to:
- PTSD and associated symptoms
- ADHD
- Tinnitus
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Concentration/ Processing disorder
- Depression
- Bipolar Depression
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Physical Injuries/Restrictions
Working with the Veterans Accessibility Specialist, and/or taking advantage of supports that are your right, in no way impacts or affects VA disability rating or benefits. All information is confidential, and will not be shared without your expressed written consent.
Student veterans are invited to contact the Veterans Accessibility Specialist, Melissa Wallace, LMSW at 989-686-9794 or melissawallace@delta.edu or stop by the Office of Disability Resources (D101) to start a conversation. Students can also reach out to our Coordinator of Veteran Services, Brittany Hodges, MA, at 989-686-9303 or brittanyhodges@delta.edu or stop by the Student Veteran Center.
Grievance/Equity/Title IX
We recognize disability as an integral aspect of our richly diverse community, and we take pride in the development of an accessible campus. As our campus expands physically and academically, access needs change and develop. We encourage students, faculty and staff to collaborate with us on course or campus barriers that may be preventing an equitable Delta College for all community members.
As an individual with a disability, if you experience any treatment you believe is discriminatory, you may contact Delta College’s Equity Officer by phone at 989-686-9547 or by email at equityoffice@delta.edu. The Complaint/Grievance Procedure for discriminatory concerns can be found within our equity site.
