SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 

Westchester Community College provides services for students with documented learning disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, physical disabilities, visual, hearing, and other health impairments.  We encourage individuals with disabilities to contact us to learn what support services are available to meet varying needs.  Current services include but are not limited to the following: 

COUNSELING 

 Pre-admission counseling 

 Assistance at registration 

 Supportive and vocational counseling 

 Referral to other campus services and appropriate community agencies 

 Referral for diagnostic assessment as necessary 

 Self-advocacy training 

 Planning for after graduation 

ACADEMIC 

 Orientation and referral to tutorial services 

 Assistance with developing learning strategies, coping and organizing skills 

 Assistance in arranging for note takers, interpreters, readers and scribes 

 Proctoring for special testing 

PHYSICAL 

 Arranging for classroom accommodations 

 Special parking for physically disabled students 

 Ramps, elevators and electronic doors 

ADVOCACY 

 Liaison with professors, high schools, community agencies, families 

 Creating a responsive campus environment 

 Supporting and assisting faculty in understanding and meeting individual needs 

 Providing information about specific disabilities and related laws 

EQUIPMENT 

 Spectrum Optelec print enlarger 

 Kurzweil Omni 3000 scanning/screen reading software for learning disabled 

 Kurzweil Omni 1000 scanning/screen reading software for visually impaired 

 JAWS screen reader computer software 

 Zoomtext onscreen magnifier 

 Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software 

 Duxbury Braille Translator software 

 Braille printer 

 Texas Instruments Interactive onscreen TI 83 graphing calculator 

 Variable speed tape recorders 

Infra-red listening system

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: UNDERSTAND YOUR DISABILITY 

You need to know about your disability.  Know the things that you do well.  Know the things that are difficult for you.  Know your strengths and weaknesses.  Know what assistance has been helpful to you in dealing with your disability.  

PLAN AHEAD 

Coming to college means rearranging your life.  Financial needs, time demands, study schedules and course work vary greatly from high school.  College courses require more study time outside of the classroom.  Expectations of student performance are greater, and competition may be more intense.  These expectations can be met with good advance planning.  Apply for financial aid early.  Consider the number of hours it will be necessary for you to work.  Make reliable transportation arrangements.  Family and personal responsibilities and time commitments must also be considered. Set realistic goals 

and priorities for course work. 

ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH SUPPORT SERVICES 

YOU are responsible for requesting support services. YOU need to contact the professionals 

responsible for assisting students with disabilities. By law we cannot contact you about your needs. Make contact each semester, as early as possible, to discuss what your needs will be. Submit current documentation about your disability before school starts, or as soon as possible. Understand that services provided in college may differ from those you received in high school. 

SPEAK TO YOUR PROFESSORS 

At the start of every semester contact each of your instructors to arrange for course assistance and accommodations.  Your disability must qualify you for the accommodations requested. We can help you arrange these accommodations and may have some additional ideas that can assist you in becoming a more successful student. You must make arrangements in advance (as soon as the exam is announced, not the day of the exam) for accommodations such as extra time.  Remember that extra time may only help if you do the necessary preparation and attend classes regularly.  

MAKE CONTACT OFTEN 

Make contact with us regularly to discuss your progress and to identify your needs in each class. If you are having trouble, see the professionals who help students with disabilities.  Keeping in contact with these offices will help you succeed. 

Professor Marcia Kalkut 

Counselor/Coordinator for  

Students with Disabilities 

Office: CLA 4    Phone: (914) 606-6552 

Professor Sharon Massey 

Learning Disabilities Specialist 

Office: LIBRARY, Ground Floor, G47 

Phone: (914) 606-6626    

Professor Barbara Begnal Scovotti 

Coordinator of Accommodations for 

Students with Disabilities 

Office: LIBRARY, Ground Floor, G51 

Phone: (914) 606-8585 or 606-6287   Fax: (914) 606-7893