Disability Services helps students help themselves
By Hannah Bennett
Observer Contributor
As the fall semester ended, students had to for their FAFSA and arrange their spring semester schedules. What students also had to do for next semester is renew their student accommodation forms.
Coordinator of Disability Services Amy Labarge is one of the two coordinators who works on campus with students with disabilities to aid them in achieving success at MWCC.
“Every student is entitled to equal access and opportunities in the classroom,” said Labarge.
For a student’s first set of accommodations, an appointment must be scheduled with one of the two coordinators, Labarge or Ann Reynolds. Labarge and Reynolds walk every student who comes to them through the accommodations process.
At the appointment, documentation of the student’s disability dated within the last three years must be provided. This documentation must be either an Individualized Education Program (IEP) with evaluation, a 504 plan, or documentation from a health care provider or specialist. If no documentation exists yet, Disability Services will provide a request form for a health care provider to fill our and send back to them.
After documentation is presented, a coordinator will have a conversation with the student about what they might need in terms of accommodations over the course of the semester. Learning style is discussed as well as self-advocating.
“We try to help them become self-advocating in the process,” said Labarge.
To Schedule Appointments with Disability Services:
Amy Labarge, M.Ed.: 978-630-9330
alabarge@mwcc.mass.edu
Room 142, Gardner CampusAnn Reynolds, B.S.: 978-630-9190
areynolds1@mwcc.mass.edu
Room 143, Gardner Campus
The types of accommodations students can qualify for include extended time on tests and quizzes, a low distraction setting for academics, audio recordings of lectures, five minute breaks, preferential seating, and more. These accommodations last for a semester until classes change and new accommodations are needed.
For any accommodations after the first set, an email can be sent to either Labarge or Reynolds including a student’s request and the next semester’s class schedule. If a student’s diagnosis changes, the student should then make an appointment to inform their coordinator of the change with new documentation.
“If something changes, they should come down and tell us,” said Labarge.
Accommodation letters are picked up by students upon their completion, within a few days after their appointment with one of the coordinators. Students then go to each to their teachers for signatures and provide one copy to each teacher.
“It’s a student-driven process,” said Labarge. “Students can apply for accommodations anytime, but preferably at the start of each semester. It’s better to put them in place in the beginning of the semester, so you don’t need them and wish you had them.”
Some students may be self-conscious about their disabilities and not want to fully disclose them to their professors.
“The teacher only knows the student is involved with out office and has accommodations listed on the form,” said Labarge. “It’s up to the student to disclose more if they want to.”
According to the accommodations form issued to students at MWCC, “the implementation of the following accommodations is a requirement by law to promote academic success.” Does this mean all professors have to follow the accommodations sent to them?
“Yes, by law, if it’s been approved by [Disability Services],” said Labarge.
Appointments with Disability Services can be scheduled over the phone (978-630-9330 for Labarge and 978-630-9190 for Reynolds), via email, or in person in rooms 142 or 143 on the Gardner campus.
“We have an open door policy,” said Labarge. “Come in for any question or concern…We like to get to know our students. Let us know when you’re doing well or struggling at all.”
Disability Services are applicable to more students than one might think. “About 25% of students [at MWCC] qualify [for accommodations],” said Labarge. There is also an honor society, Delta Alpha Pi, led by Labarge and Reynolds for students with disabilities. The honor society promotes awareness towards disabilites, services for them, and self help for those with disabilities.
“I’m really passionate about helping students do the best they can,” said Labarge. “It’s very exciting to see students achieve personal growth and academic success.”
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