Disability Services
The mission of Office of Disability Services is to collaborate with students and the college community to ensure equal access for students with disabilities to enjoy the educational programs, services, and activities of KCC in accordance with federal and state law.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, KCC provides auxiliary aids and services for students who self-identify their disability. Auxiliary aids and services are determined on an individualized basis according to disability needs.
To ensure the aids and services are reasonable and effective, a postsecondary student must provide notice of the disabling condition to the Office of Disability Service and give adequate notice of their needs.
Goals
- to assist student in accessing and using academic accommodations;
- to equip student with the technical resources that help them reach their educational goals;
- to foster an environment that encourages personal and academic growth and encourages self-advocacy; and
- to provide resources regarding disabilities for students, faculty, and staff.
3 Easy Steps To Register
Step 1: Complete a Request for Services Form
The Request for Services provides a student the opportunity to inform ODS staff with information regarding disability, its impact, educational and academic concerns, and what accommodations are being requested. View the Request for Services form to complete.
Step 2: Submit Documentation of Disability
The Verification of Disability form can be taken to your medical professional for completion. For more details regarding documentation, please see the Documentation Guidelines for more details.
Step 3: Complete an Accommodation Intake Appointment (approximately 1 hour)
The Office of Disabilities Services will follow a timeline that allows for ten (10) business days (from the date both the Request for Services form and the disability documentation are received) to review all submitted information after which, you will be contacted to discuss the requested accommodations.
Accommodations
Academic accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. It is the student’s responsibility to consider their individual needs and to request the academic adjustments that will support them. It is up to ODS staff to determine if these requests are reasonable based on the disability, its impact on learning and the course and program in which the student is enrolled. ODS staff also works with students to determine if the accommodations are effective and adjust as necessary within the law. Some of the most requested academic adjustments; this list is not exhaustive.
- Accessible classroom/location/furniture
- Priority Registration
- Testing accommodations
- Notetakers
- Recording lecture
- Alternate format materials
- Sign language interpreting services
- Assistive technology
Go to the Accommodations document for full details regarding the matter of accommodating.
Be sure to review the Disability Services Handbook for details related to the Office of Disability Services.
Additional Resources
- Mental Health Counseling & Resources
- Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
- Rights and Responsibilities of College Students with Learning Disabilities (LD)
- Service Animals versus Emotional / Therapy Animals
- 7 Things to Know About College Disability Services – FOR PARENTS & Students
- Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations
- Scholarship Resource for Students With Disabilities
- Department of Rehabilitation Services: For financial assistance, laptops, specialized equipment, and tuition, for college
Staff
Sherry Kinzler
Senior Coordinator of Disability Services
Office: KCC Room L20F
815-802-8632
TTY within Illinois: 711
TTY outside Illinois: 800-526-0844
skinzler@kcc.edu
KCC shall provide that no otherwise qualified person with a disability shall, solely by reason of disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity engaged in by the college as required by Section 504 of the rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with disability Act of 1990.