Disability Services
Klump Academic Center, Rm. 148 · (570) 320-5225
Frequently Asked Questions
- How are accommodations in college different from those I received in high school?
- I received accommodations in the past for my disability. I think I will need services at Penn College. What do I do?
- Because of my disability, I plan to request a single room in College housing. How do I make this request?
- Should I tell my adviser that I have a disability?
- I am transferring from another college. How do I get accommodations at Penn College?
- I chose not to self-disclose my disability through the Accommodations Request form. Then, I failed a test and decided I would like to receive accommodations. What do I do?
- I feel I need testing accommodations due to my disability. What do I do?
- I have given my instructor the Accommodations Request form, but he or she will not provide the accommodations suggested. What should I do?
- Where do I get tutoring assistance?
- What do I do if I need help with my study habits?
- I don’t feel I am getting the accommodations I need from Disability Services. What should I do?
Q: How are accommodations in college different from those I received in high school?
A: When students with disabilities enter a college, the laws under which they are covered change. In college, students are responsible for requesting accommodations and providing documentation of their disability. The documentation must support the accommodation(s). (Some accommodations provided in high school, e.g. calculator for math tests and waiver of foreign language, might not be provided in a college.) If a requested accommodation alters a fundamental requirement of a program or course, the accommodation will not be granted. Please discuss your disability-related needs with Disability Services.
Q: I received accommodations in the past for my disability. I think I will need services at Penn College. What do I do?
A: If you are seeking accommodations, you must identify, to Disability Services, as an individual with a disability and document (from the appropriate professional) how the disability limits your participation in courses, programs, jobs, activities, and facilities.
Visit Eligibility & Documentation Requirements for Accommodations for the steps required for accessing accommodations and the documentation required.
Q: Because of my disability, I plan to request a single room in College housing. How do I make this request?
A: Penn College does not offer single-room housing. On-campus housing assigns two students per bedroom in an apartment consisting of two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchenette. Handicapped-accessible housing is available in these two-bedroom apartments. For off-campus housing options, refer to the Student Information System (SIS).
Q: Should I tell my adviser that I have a disability?
A: It is your decision whether to disclose your disability to your adviser or to any other person. Choosing to disclose will help your adviser to help you make better choices for scheduling classes.
Q: I am transferring from another college. How do I get accommodations at Penn College?
A: Contact the Disability Services Office at the campus you are transferring from and request that your documentation be forwarded to Pennsylvania College of Technology, Disability Services. Once Disability Services receives and reviews the documentation, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment with Disability Services to review your documentation and accommodation needs. Refer to Eligibility & Documentation Requirements for Accommodations.
Q: I chose not to self-disclose my disability through the Accommodations Request form. Then, I failed a test and decided I would like to receive accommodations. What do I do?
A: Accommodations are not retroactive. However, if, at any point during the semester, you want to self-disclose your disability to your instructor, you may do so. In order to receive accommodations, you must then make an appointment with Disability Services. Disability Services will review your documentation and discuss accommodation needs. A staff person will fill out an Accommodations Request form and you will be asked to give a copy of this form to your instructor. The form will list the accommodations you are eligible to receive for that particular class.
Q: I feel I need testing accommodations due to my disability. What do I do?
A: As with all accommodations, testing accommodations are based upon documentation. If your documentation supports such a request, then you will need to follow the procedures for testing with accommodations. Disability Services requires a three day notice for each and every test for which you request testing accommodations.
Q: I have given my instructor the Accommodations Request form, but he or she will not provide the accommodations suggested. What should I do?
A: If the accommodation is not being given, promptly contact and inform Disability Services of the situation. If you are not being accommodated as per the Accommodations Request form and do not contact Disability Services, we cannot intervene on your behalf and, therefore, cannot help solve the accommodation issue.
Q: Where do I get tutoring assistance?
A: Disability Services does not provide individual tutoring for students with disabilities. However, all students, with or without disabilities, have access to tutoring that is available in the Tutoring Center, Klump Academic Center (ACC), Rm. 145.
Q: What do I do if I need help with my study habits?
A: Penn College offers a free study skills program, Project Success, available to all students. This six-week, 12-hour program is offered twice each semester and helps students with test taking, memorization skills, time management, and other study skills. Recent statistics have shown that students who sign up for Project Success in the first six weeks of their first semester do better academically than students who do not sign up or who sign up at a later session. However, because some students’ schedules may not permit them to sign up for the first six-week session, sessions are offered twice a semester.
Q: I don't feel I am getting the accommodations I need from Disability Services. What should I do?
A: First, discuss your concerns with the Disability Services staff person with whom you are working. If the accommodation problem cannot be resolved, then make an appointment to meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services. If you are not satisfied with that outcome, then follow the steps as outlined in the Discrimination Grievance Procedure.