Access & Disability Resources

Students may have one or more of the following disabilities, conditions or impairments (this list is not exhaustive): learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, psychiatric disorders, physical or mobility impairments, chronic health conditions, deafness or hearing loss, blindness or low vision, traumatic brain injury, service related disabilities, or a temporary disabling condition that may require temporary accommodations.

Typically, students have 3 tasks to complete in order to establish eligibility.

1. Students will need to self-identify as a student with a disability by voluntarily disclosing their disability to ADR through the Access & Disability Resources (ADR) Voluntary Disability Disclosure form.
2. Provide ADR with current and relevant disability documentation (documentation, including HS educational plans, should not be submitted to the admissions office or an office other than ADR). Students can upload documentation or may want to ask their health care provider to complete the Disability Verification Form in lieu of uploading documentation

3. Complete an Intake meeting with ADR staff to discuss disability history, documentation, past use of   accommodations and the current impact of the disability in the educational environment.

Documentation should support the need for accommodations that are reasonable and appropriate in the college environment. Some medical or mental health conditions are episodic in nature and may warrant updated documentation at some point during the student’s time at Massasoit. Sources of documentation can be from:

• Diagnostic testing, evaluative reports or academic assessments.
• A detailed letter from a qualified mental health provider, primary care physician, specialist, or other practitioner stating the student’s diagnosis, major life activities impacted by the diagnosis and the functional limitations caused by the diagnosis. The letter must be on official letterhead, signed and dated by the practitioner, with credentials listed.
• A completed ADR Disability Verification Form filled out by a health care provider.

Please note: IEPs and 504 Plans alone are not considered sufficient documentation but can be provided as supplemental documentation. Documentation, including HS educational plans, should not be submitted to the admissions office or an office other than ADR, in order to protect student privacy and to allow for self-disclosure.

Disability documentation is maintained in secure electronic files with access limited to ADR staff. Diagnostic information does not become part of the student’s academic transcript. Faculty will not be informed of a student’s diagnosis, but will need to receive an Accommodation Letter informing faculty of the student’s approved accommodations.

ADR staff are considered mandated reporters which means that explicit information shared with ADR about sexual assault or recent suicide attempts or plans, requires us to help connect students with confidential resources. If students would rather not disclose to ADR staff, they can share diagnoses, symptoms and impact without sharing explicit details of the event or events.

Prospective/incoming students: Students should apply to and be admitted to Massasoit for degree seeking credit courses, or registered for noncredit certificate programs prior to submitting documentation. Once a student is admitted or registered, ADR encourages students to self-disclose their disability prior to submitting disability documentation by completing the Access & Disability Resources (ADR) Voluntary Disability Disclosure form. Students do have the option to submit documentation at the same time as completing the Voluntary Disability Disclosure form (instructions for uploading are on the form) but submitting documentation is not required at that specific moment.

Students that are advised to take placements tests and want to use accommodations for placement testing should contact ADR to schedule placement tests. Disability documentation will need to be submitted to ADR prior to the time of placement testing.

If placement testing is not necessary, documentation will need to be submitted prior to attending the ADR Intake meeting

To submit documentation students can Upload documentation or have a health care provider complete the   Disability Verification Form

• Newly admitted students: An intake meeting can be scheduled once a student has been accepted to Massasoit, completed the Access & Disability Resources (ADR) Voluntary Disability Disclosure form, Upload documentation or a health care provider can complete the Disability Verification Form and completed the placement testing series (or have used multiple measures scores to bypass placement testing). Newly admitted students are encouraged to complete orientation and course registration for their first semester, prior to completing the ADR Intake. ADR encourages newly admitted students to complete the Intake meeting prior to the start of their first semester.
• Currently Enrolled students: Current students can schedule an Intake meeting once they have completed the Access & Disability Resources (ADR) Voluntary Disability Disclosure formand Upload documentation or a health care provider can complete the Disability Verification Form . Intake meetings can be scheduled throughout the academic year.

Newly admitted students may be required to take placement tests to determine suitable Math and English courses and/or satisfy prerequisites for classes. Testing accommodations for placement tests are available through ADR for students with a documented disability.

• Testing with accommodations is by appointment only and needs to be scheduled directly with ADR; appointment times will vary by campus, proctor availability, accommodations being requested and department obligations.
• In order to receive accommodations for placement testing, students will be asked to self-disclose their disability and provide documentation. On the day of the placement testing, students will be asked to show a photo ID to verify their identification.

Please Note: Accommodations allowed for placement testing do not constitute eligibility for academic accommodations; academic accommodations are determined at the Intake meeting.

ADR does not offer diagnostic testing, coaching (social or academic), personal care assistance, transportation assistance, or modification of curriculum.

Access & Disability Resources is the office on campus that is responsible for providing services and accommodations for eligible students with disabilities under ADA and Section 504 legislation. However, separate from ADR, the TRIO SSS cohort program is available to students with disabilities.
TRIO SSS supports students who are a) first generation, b) low-income, and/or c) have a documented disability. The free services available to all TRIO participants at Massasoit Community College include: 1-on-1 Academic Advising, Transfer Counseling, Four-year College Visits & Tours, Financial Aid Counseling, Grant Aid Scholarships (for eligible students), Educational Seminars & Workshops, Individualized Assessment and Evaluation (financial, educational and career exploration), Peer Mentoring & Leadership, Cultural Events & Activities and Referral Services.
Learn more about TRIO

Access and Disability Resources has a variety of technologies designed to assist you in accessing your academic material. Please meet with a disability counselor to learn more about how assistive technology may be helpful to you and what assistive technology is available for use while testing.

• Dragon Naturally Speaking
  • Voice recognition computer software that types as you talk. A great resource for students with dysgraphia, spelling, upper extremity injuries, upper extremity mobility challenges and/or typing issues. The more you use Dragon Naturally Speaking the more familiar it gets with your individual voice, vocabulary and speech. It does take practice for it to become truly useful.
• Kurzweil 3000
  • This software program scans written material and reads it out loud. It can assist with writing organization and will typically benefit students with reading and/or attention issues.
• JAWS
  • Screen reader software. Designed for students who are blind or have limited vision.
• Braille Printer
  • Specialized printer that prints documents in Braille
• MAGIC Software
  • Text enlarging software for computers.
• Live Scribe Smart Pens
  • Pens with the capacity to record lectures. Designed to assist students taking their own notes. Pens and their specialized note books are available to loan for the semester.
• Individual Assistive Listening Devices – FM Loops
  • Device used to amplify sound.
• My Reader Closed Circuit TV
  • Magnification system for printed materials.

Massasoit is committed to access, whether it be physical or print access, however, if you happen to experience a barrier to a physical space, printed material or attitudinal, we want to know about it so that we can respond to the person who encountered the barrier. Students, staff and visitors to the campus (in person or remotely) are encouraged to complete the Report an Access Concern form .

• Adjustment Disorder
• Anxiety Disorder
• Depression
• Hearing Loss
• Mobility Impairment
• Neurological Disorder
• PTSD
• Sleep Disorder
• Substance Abuse Disorder
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment

Massasoit Community College’s Access and Disability Resources (ADR) office provides academic accommodations for veteran students who have a disability as a result of their service.  Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, extended time for testing, testing in a reduced distraction area, peer note taking, priority seating and availability to take short breaks. Individual accommodations are determined at the time of intake.

If you are interested in learning more about ADR services and how academic accommodations may mitigate some of the challenges you experience as a veteran with a service connected disability please contact ADR at 508-588-9100 x1807 or email adr@massasoit.mass.edu.

NOTE: Diagnostic information will be needed in order to complete the intake and to identify appropriate accommodations, however, diagnostic information or specific diagnosis WILL NOT be shared with faculty.

Massasoit is committed to providing students with disabilities equal, effective and meaningful access to all academic programs, community events, goods, and services in compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For more information, please see the  Affirmative Action Policy. The student can also choose to go directly to the Office of Civil Rights to file a grievance with the U.S. Department of Education at OCR Complaint.

If a student is requesting a change to their accommodation(s) we ask that the student meet with a staff of ADR. A change to accommodations can be based on a change in diagnosis, increase in symptoms, or another change the student believes necessitates a review of their accommodations. A staff member from ADR will meet with the student as part of the interactive process and obtain any additional relevant information necessary to make an informed determination. If the ADR staff is unsure if the requested accommodation is reasonable, the student will be asked to fill out the Request to Adjust Approved Accommodation  form. ADR staff will then meet as a team to discuss the requested accommodation(s), the basis of the student’s request and potential for equitable alternative accommodations. If the requested accommodation adjustment is approved, ADR will provide an updated Accommodation Letter to the student. The updated accommodations will become effective as soon as the updated letter is shared with the student’s faculty.

If a student has requested an accommodation and the accommodation is denied by the ADR team, the student has the right to appeal the decision. Students that believe an unfair determination was made can complete the Accommodation Appeal form. The student will need to meet with the Director of Academic Support Services to discuss their case. The Director will review the determination made by the ADR team, review the appeal form and then meet with the student to review the basis of their appeal. The Director will review all elements of the appeal and then issue a decision in writing to the student.

Massasoit Community College and Access & Disability Resources is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal, effective, and meaningful access to all academic programs, community events, goods, and services provided by the college in compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Students are encouraged to meet with ADR staff to discuss concerns regarding disability discrimination and to work together to find a resolution to the expressed concern. However, the disability discrimination complaint process takes place outside the operations of the ADR office. If the student is dis-satisfied with the resolution suggested by ADR, or decides to by-pass ADR, they may choose to file a disability discrimination complaint. For more information, please see Affirmative Action Policy on the Massasoit website. The student may also choose to go directly to the Office of Civil Rights to file a grievance with the U.S. Department of Education at OCR Complaint.

Massasoit Community College and Access & Disability Resources is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal, effective, and meaningful access to all academic programs, community events, goods, and services provided by the college in compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

If a student has requested an accommodation and the accommodation request has been reviewed and denied by the ADR team, the student has the right to appeal the decision. Students that believe an unfair determination was made can complete the Accommodation Appeal form. Once the form gets submitted, the student will need to meet with the Director of Academic Support Services to discuss their case. The Director will review the determination made by the ADR team, review the appeal form and then meet with the student to review the basis of their appeal. The Director will review all elements of the appeal and then issue a decision in writing to the student.

Access and Disability Resources (ADR) is the office responsible for determining reasonable accommodations for eligible students. Students are deemed eligible for accommodations based on a review of current documentation, student interview, and history of accommodation use. Specific accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to the correlation between the student’s requested accommodation and the functional limitations experienced because of the disability. In addition, accommodations must not substantially alter the educational program, intent, process, or be an administrative burden for College personnel to execute. Requests for accommodations must be submitted in a timely manner and cannot be enacted retroactively. However, students may find that changes to their accommodations may be necessary at some point during their education at Massasoit.

Students are always welcome to meet with ADR staff to discuss a request for an adjustment to the accommodations they were initially approved for.  A change to accommodations can be based on a new diagnosis, increase in symptoms, or another change the student believes necessitates a review of their accommodations. A staff member from ADR will meet with the student as part of the interactive process and obtain any additional relevant information necessary to make an informed determination. If the ADR staff is unsure if the requested accommodation is reasonable, the staff will ask that the student fill out the Request to Adjust Approved Accommodation  form. Once the form is submitted the ADR will meet as a team to discuss the requested accommodation(s), the basis of the student’s request and potential for equitable alternative accommodations. A team determination will then be made. If the requested adjustment is approved, ADR will provide an updated Accommodation Letter to the student. The updated accommodation(s) will become effective as soon as the updated letter is shared with the student’s faculty.

If the student is dis-satisfied with the determination made by the ADR team, the student may appeal the determination and initiate completing the Accommodation Appeal  process.