Student Accommodations

Temple College abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which states: “No qualified handicapped student shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any academic …or other postsecondary education aid, benefits, or services.” If you have a documented disability that may impact your performance and for which you may require accommodations, you must be registered with and provide documentation of your disability to the Accommodations Coordinator:

Thomas Gallagher
Coordinator for Student Accommodations
One College Centre
2600 S. First Street
Temple, TX 76504
Phone 254.298.8335
Fax: 254.298.8329
Email: Thomas.gallagher@templejc.edu

Receiving Accommodations: Unlike high school, a college does not seek out and provide accommodations to students. In order to receive accommodations in college, the student must apply for services and provide documentation that he/she is a qualified person with a disability.

Definition of Disability: According to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a person with a disability is one who has “(i) a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment.”

Substantially Limit: is defined as being unable to perform a major life activity, or which significantly restricts the condition, manner, or duration under which a major life activity can be performed.

Major Life Activity: is defined as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

Documentation Needs: Documentation needs to be recent—within 3-5 years—and must include a Specific Diagnosis based on an assessment conducted by a qualified professional—one who is licensed or certified to diagnose the disability in question. Evidence of a substantial limitation to learning or other major life activity must be provided. Note: Depending on the disability, documentation may need to be periodically updated.

Once the application and all needed documentation is provided, the Coordinator will review it for completeness. If complete, the Coordinator, in collaboration with the student, determines what accommodations will be provided. The Coordinator will issue a memorandum to the student to take to his/her instructors outlining those accommodations.

Confidentiality: Student disability information is maintained in the accommodations office in accordance with FERPA and HIPPA regulations and will not be disclosed without student or designated representative consent. Confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed when providing services that involve external providers (e.g. Note-takers, interpreters, test proctors). Although details about disability will not typically be shared, a student’s name, and circumstances, as pertinent to the service, may be shared.

After a student is registered with the Accommodations Coordinator, Temple College staff will take the steps required for reasonable accommodations to insure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently. Thomas Gallagher is located in One College Centre on the second floor in Student Enrollment Services. Mr. Gallagher may be contacted at 254.298.8335 or thomas.gallagher@templejc.edu. Students requesting accommodations should contact the coordinator at least 3 weeks prior to the first day of class, as time is required for arranging some accommodations.

Accommodations may include but are not limited to:

• Note takers
• Interpreters
• Academic and vocational counseling and advising
• Special testing arrangements
• Materials in alternate format
• Preferential early registration for classes
• Various types of accommodation equipment
• Information and referral to other resources

A student is not required to accept accommodation in all areas in order to receive services, but must have a file and appropriate documentation with Student Accommodations to receive any accommodations.

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