Student Accessibility Services
Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is committed to providing educational opportunities to all students. SENMC’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) coordinator works to ensure that students with documented disabilities have equal access to all areas of a post-secondary education as required by the guidelines of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Initial Requests for SAS Services
To establish SAS services, students must complete the SAS Petition for Accommodations, provide documentation of diagnosis, and meet with the SAS coordinator.
SAS coordinator serves students in the following ways:
- Identify reasonable accommodations
- Establish and coordinate accommodations
- One-on-one meetings in person, online, or by phone
- Access to Assistive Technology
- Disability-related problem solving and advocacy
- Information and referrals to additional SENMC resources
Accessibility FAQ's
Some examples of appropriate college-level accommodations are:
- Testing accommodations: extra time (generally 1.5 or 2x), less distractions, calculator, computer with spell check, reader, scribe, extra breaks, no Scantrons
- Large print materials
- Alternative format textbooks
- Preferential seating
- Allowance to leave class due to symptoms
- Assistive technology/software
- Accessible table/chairs/classroom
- Note taking
- Quiet space for taking tests
- Recording lectures
Any accommodation that fundamentally alters the essential components of a course or field of study is not considered reasonable nor appropriate. This includes waiving requirements that are considered essential to a course or program (such as a math course for an accounting major), or substantially modifying tests or homework assignments (such as reducing the number of answer choices on a test, the number of required homework problems, or retaking exams for students who do not meet a certain threshold). Additionally, any accommodation that is for personal use or study (such as individual tutoring) is not provided unless that service is also available to the general population of students
To request accommodations, students should follow the steps below, in the order listed.
- Make an appointment with the SAS Office to self-identify as a student with a disability
- Submit a “Petition for Accommodations” and proper documentation to the SAS Office
- Finalize accommodations for the semester with the SAS coordinator
- Take faculty notification letters listing approved accommodations to each instructor
Please note that accommodations are unique to each individual and are determined based on need as indicated by the proper documentation and not on student preference.
Reminders:
- Accommodation requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. However, you can request accommodations at any time. Keep in mind, untimely requests may result in delayed accommodations. Some accommodations (Speech to Text software and electronic or audio textbooks) require more notice and should be requested several weeks before the semester begins.
- Accommodations are not retroactive; they start after your instructors have received your letter of accommodation(s). Accommodations can be used on coursework from that point forward.
- You may want to schedule a meeting with your instructors to discuss the implementation of the assigned accommodation(s).
As a Dual Credit student your college level courses may be at a high school, college, or online. If your course is located
- At a high school and taught by a high school teacher, your high school will provide accommodations according to your Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.
- At a high school, college, or online and taught by a college instructor (or adjunct instructor) - the college Student Accessibility Services Office will provide accommodations. Contact the SAS coordinator to request accommodations. See the section above, "How Do I Request Accommodations?"
High School vs. College
Understanding some of the differences between accessibility services for high school and college students can help you have a smoother transition.
High School |
College |
| Teachers and parents remind you of responsibilities. | You manage your own time and coursework. |
| Teachers may initiate contact with you. | You will need to initiate contact with instructors. |
| Teachers may give notes if you missed class or provide you with assignments and an extended due date. | Instructors expect you to be prepared for class even when you have missed class. |
| You may study two to eight hours a week. | You should study an average of two to three hours outside of class for every hour in class. |
| The school prepares and provides documentation of disability. | Documentation is required, and you (the student) must provide it. |
| The school proves eligibility for accommodations. | You (the student) must prove eligibility. |
| Content of the program is altered to fit you. | Course content is not altered, although the method of learning may be altered. |
| Parents, teachers, counselors and special education professionals track you and your services each year. | You must identify yourself every semester if you want services. |