Welcome to Accessibility Services

In accordance with state and federal law, Mitchell College is committed to providing accommodations to eligible students and visitors with disabilities to ensure accessibility and equal opportunities to its programs, services, and activities. Accessibility Services facilitates reasonable accommodations for those who disclose a disability, meet the eligibility requirement, and request accommodations.

Students — Testing Accommodations

Once a student has completed the application process for Accessibility Services and has been approved for services and accommodations, the student should follow the procedures listed below.

Request Form and Procedures

How to Request Testing Accommodations

1. Discuss with your instructor the type of test (essay, multiple choice, etc.) and ability for the instructor to provide requested accommodation(s).
2. Complete the online Testing Accommodations Form form on the Simplicity Accommodate platform under the ‘Student’ tab.
3. The faculty member(s) will be notified via email when the request has been submitted.
4. You and the faculty member(s) will receive a confirmation email for the Testing Accommodation Reservation in Accessibility Services.

Note: Proctored tests may not always be administered on the exact date/time a test is given by the instructor due to Accessibility Services availability and student’s individual course schedule.

Due Date for Requests

Regular Tests

Submit your request no later than four business days before the test is given. Holidays and weekends do not count.

Final Exams

Complete the online Final Exam Request Form by 4:00pm, no later than five business days prior to the start of the final exam period. Holidays and weekends do not count.

Students — Alternative-Format Textbooks

Accessibility Services will provide students with textbooks in alternate formats after the student completes an online ‘Alternative Text Request Form’ indicating which books are needed.

How to Make a Request

1. Go to the Simplicity Accommodate platform
2. Select User Type ‘Student’
3. Go to the ‘Accommodations’ drop-down menu on the left-hand side of the page
4. Select ‘Alternative Format’
5. Select ‘Student Entered’
6. Submit a new ‘Alternative Request’
7. Follow the instructions
8. Attach the receipt to the request in Accommodate OR email receipt of the purchased textbooks to Accessibility Services to this email address: accessibility@mitchell.edu.

Next Steps:

Accessibility Services will contact the student when the requested text(s) are available. Delivery methods include a PDF through Dropbox or a link to log into Bookshare and download it.

Note: Textbooks in Alternative Formats can take up to four weeks to acquire. Students need to submit request forms as soon as they know their required books.

Additional Independent Book Resources

Accessibility Services encourages students to investigate other methods of acquiring books in various alternate formats for ease and convenience. Both textbooks and novels for leisure reading can be obtained from the following resources through direct purchase or individual membership for use during the college years and beyond.

• Bookshare
• Learning Ally
• Audible.com
• Project Gutenberg
• OpenLibrary

Note: For students with screen readers on tablets, like Kindles or iPads, some textbooks can be purchased and downloaded in a digital format. Audible books can also be put onto an MP3 or a Smartphone.

Students — Note-Taking Accommodations

Students who have an approved ‘Access to Notes’ and/or ‘Permission to Record’ accommodation will have this noted on their Letter of Accommodation. Students should discuss with instructors how notes will be provided and/or how the lectures will be recorded.

Possible Note Arrangements

• Notes will be available online on the instructor’s home page.
• Instructor will provide class notes in a hard copy.
• Instructor will identify a peer note-taker and make arrangements to distribute the notes through the instructor or Accessibility Services.

Accessibility Services can assist instructors in identifying and assigning a note-taker in a class. Instructors are encouraged to have prepared notes of lectures.

Students — Housing Accommodations

The types of accommodations provided are dependent on the nature of the individual’s disability, impact within the on-campus living environment, and provided on a case-by-case basis. Accessibility Services works in collaboration with the Mitchell Office of Residence Life to provide accommodations that meet individual student’s needs.

Housing Deadlines

Fall Application Deadlines

Returning Students: March 15
New Students: June 1

Spring Application Deadlines

Returning Students: November 1
New Students: December 1

Accommodation decisions are made based on impacts within the on-campus living environments students seek to reside in. Due to the nature of housing assignments, requests submitted after the deadline will be processed on a space-available basis and may result in waiting until another assignment period within the academic year.

Step 1:

• Complete a Request for Services Form if you have not already registered with Accessibility Services. You may also complete a supplemental request form if already registered with Accessibility Services.
• Fill out the housing accommodations questionnaire.
• Email Accessibility@Mitchell.edu to receive the housing form for providers. This must be filled out to be considered for housing accommodations.
• Submit the Accessibility Services documentation form that verifies your disability/health condition and specifically speaks to the need for housing accommodations

Step 2:

Once Accessibility Services has received your documentation, a follow-up meeting will be scheduled to go over your questionnaire. You may be asked additional questions at that time. Accessibility Services may also call your provider with follow-up questions if necessary. 

Step 3:

Complete a Mitchell Housing Application if you have not already done so. Application dates for Residence Halls may differ. Note: There are no single-occupancy rooms available in Mariner Hall or Montauk House. Visit the Life at Mitchell page for more information about Mariner Hall and Montauk House.

Contact Residence Life

Phone: 860-701-5045
Email: residencelife@mitchell.edu

Dietary Accommodations

If you are seeking accommodations for dietary restrictions, complete a Food Allergies and Sensitivities Form and schedule a consultation, if necessary, with the Mitchell Dining Hall General Manager to explore options.

• Discuss allergies or specific dietary needs and explore options including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan selections.
• Learn how to access ordering options.
• Understand how to eat safely on campus by visiting the Mitchell Dining Services website at Dining Services.

Note: Having a special dietary need does not waive the dining account requirement for residential students or give priority to be assigned to a specific room type such as a single room or suite with kitchenette.

Contact Dining Services

Phone: 860-701-3526

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Mitchell College has a general “no pets” policy in all of its buildings. However, Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) can be approved as an accommodation in Mitchell residence halls through Accessibility Services.

Approval from Accessibility Services is required for Service Animals to enter and stay in residence halls. Service animals do not need to be approved by Accessibility Services for entry into other campus buildings.

Students who are approved for a Service Animal or ESA by Accessibility Services are required to meet with Accessibility Services and Mitchell Residence Life to:

• Conduct an “animal care expectations meeting”
• Provide verification of up-to-date vet report, including any necessary vaccination(s)

Service Animals

As defined by the ADA, a service animal (dogs, and in unique circumstances, miniature horses) has been trained to do work or perform tasks that mitigates the impact of the person’s disability. The service animal is an access need.

Persons requesting a Service Animal in housing should be prepared to answer the following two questions:

1. Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform?

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

As defined by the ADA, Emotional Support Animals (also known as therapy animals) can include any animals (not just dogs). While ESAs or Comfort Animals are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals, they are not considered Service Animals under the ADA. ESAs provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities. Even though some states have laws defining therapy animals, these animals are not limited to working with people with disabilities and therefore are not covered by federal laws protecting the use of Service Animals. Therapy animals provide people with therapeutic contact, usually in a clinical setting, to improve their physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning.

In order for Accessibility Services to approve an ESA accommodation, you will need to provide documentation from a qualified healthcare provider that answers the following two questions:

1. Is it your recommendation that this student be approved for an ESA in the residential setting?
2. What are the symptoms the student experiences and how does the animal help mitigate those symptoms in a residential setting?

Assistive Technology Resources

Accessibility Services promotes the use of technology to advance independence in students. Incoming students are encouraged to investigate and use appropriate technology prior to starting college.

Short-term loan of some equipment is available to students and faculty. Make an appointment with Accessibility Services to discuss the location and use of campus technology, as well as other assistive technology options.

Assistive technology can make you more independent in and out of the classroom, on assignments and tests. Practice using the technology before you get to campus (screen readers, smartpens, and recorders).

Web Accessibility

Mitchell College is committed to making this website accessible to visitors with disabilities and is continually working to increase its accessibility and usability.

All of Mitchell College’s websites strive to conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1, Level AA, which outline how to make website content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities. Please be aware that our efforts are ongoing.

If, at any time, you have questions, feedback, or accessibility issues, please contact our Web Administrator:
Email: webadmin@mitchell.edu

Tips for New Students

Identifying a Disability

You are not required to share information regarding your disability with admissions. However, in order to receive accommodations and/or services at college, you must self-identify to Accessibility Services. Unless you self-disclose, no one will know that you have a disability and that you may need accommodations. Talk to your educators, parents, and/or clinicians to better understand your disability. Be prepared to describe any learning, medical, psychological, or physical disability and how it may impact you (classroom, testing, and/or campus life).

Providing Documentation

Collect previous and most recent diagnostic testing, IEPs, and/or medical statements that document your disability and be prepared to provide copies of this documentation to colleges. Be sure to keep a copy for future use.

Requesting Accommodations

Identify accommodations that are most useful to you and be prepared to ask for these accommodations at college, such as access to notes, extended time on tests, or campus access needs.

Medical Concerns

Understand your medications, their side effects, and consequences of not taking them properly. Discuss prescription management with your physician and have a plan to obtain medication at college. Also discuss any other services or health needs (physical therapy, counseling) with the college’s Health and Wellness department. Email healthservices@mitchell.edu for more information.

Self-Advocacy

Practice self-advocacy now. No one will know what you may need unless you ask. Accessibility Services will support your efforts with your approved accommodations. Ultimately, you will be responsible for asking for these accommodations to ensure you receive them.

Understanding the Laws

Below is a comparison of accommodations laws affecting K-12 students versus college students.