Disability Support Services

Accessibility Support

Disability Support Services (DSS) envisions a college community that is universally accessible to all members of the campus community; provides an equal opportunity to students with disabilities; and recognizes all individuals for their talents, abilities, and contributions.

New students should review the Accommodations Process to get started. Students who are already registered with Disability Support Services can manage their accommodations via the Accommodations Portal.

Accommodations Process Accommodations Portal

Community resources may be found on the Accessibility at RVC page.

 

Contact Us

  • Disability Support Services
  • (815) 921-2371
  • RVC Main Campus
    Student Center, Ground Floor
  • Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

RVC Raise Program: The Raising Aspirations through an Inclusive Student Experience (RAISE) program is an inclusive and supportive post-secondary program for young adults who have intellectual disabilities and who desire to participate in a comprehensive college experience. Learn more about RAISE.

Requesting Accommodations

Manage Requests

Students who are already registered with Disability Support Services can manage their accommodations via the online portal.

Accommodations Portal

Custom Requests

You may request Audio Descriptions for Media, Post-Production Captioning, Real-Time Captioning, & Sign Language Interpreting.

Submit a Custom Request

Getting Started

New students should review the process to learn how to request accommodations temporarily or for an academic year.

Accommodations Process

About Student Accommodations

Overview of Student Accommodations

There may be some accommodations that you are not currently approved to use. In order to use an accommodation, students must first be approved by the Accommodations Specialist. Please contact the DSS office if you require an accommodation for which you do not have eligibility. 

At any time, if your needs or circumstances change, you can communicate with the Accommodations Specialist to explore adjustments to your approved accommodations. 

  • We view all materials pertaining to a student's disability as confidential. All disability-related information for students at Rock Valley College is housed in Disability Support Services. Only staff persons working at Disability Support Services have access to these files. Registration with DSS will not appear on student transcripts.
  • The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) do not allow faculty or others access to disability-related information (e.g. diagnosis, medications).
  • We will not share a student’s diagnostic or medical information with college faculty or staff without the student’s consent. DSS staff may confirm registration with the department and share information regarding a student's approved accommodations on a need-to-know basis.
  • We will not disclose any student’s medical or registration information to an employer or other outside organization without the student’s permission.
  • We will retain all disability documentation for seven years after students leave the college.

In order to ensure the timely implementation of accommodations, it is essential for students to complete the request process as early as possible EVERY semester. Not requesting may result in students not receiving the accommodations needed. 

To request accommodations: 

  1. Login to the Accommodations Portal using your RVC username and password.
  2. Select the “Add Request for Class” (it is a plus button in the right top corner of the semester box).
  3. Select the class(es) that you wish to request accommodations for by selecting the check box next to each course, then click “continue to next step”. Note: if you would like the same accommodations for all courses choose the “select all” option.
  4. Customize your accommodations by selecting all that you wish to use for each course. At the top of the list you can select all accommodations and at the bottom select to have no accommodations depending on your preference. Once finished, hit “submit request”.

Following submission of your accommodation requests, the DSS office will review and approve. Once approved, you and your instructors will receive copies of your accommodation letters via email.

  • Faculty Notification Letters are emailed to your instructors once you request your accommodations through the Accommodation Portal.
  • The letter provides instructors with a list of your approved accommodations and other relevant information regarding the implementation of them. It does NOT indicate your disability.
  • It is highly recommended that you connect with your instructors at the beginning of the semester (during their office hours is ideal) to confirm that they have received your Faculty Notification Letter. If they did not, or if you have any concerns, please contact the DSS office for support.

The DSS Accommodations Portal is the online system that allows students to access and manage their accommodations and communications with the DSS office. Through the portal, students can:

  • Submit their Disability Services initial online application
  • Request accommodations 
  • Review accommodations they are eligible for
  • Check out equipment and assistive technology
  • Check their mailbox for messages from DSS staff

Accommodations Portal

Students log in to the portal by using the same Username (Student ID Number) and Password they use to access all other college systems. It is very important to become familiar with the portal and understand how to use it, as this is where you will need to request accommodations, and where you will receive important communications regarding them. If you need assistance or would like training on using the portal please contact our team.

 

Types of Accommodations

Exam Accommodations

Exam accommodations apply to timed quizzes, midterms, and finals. More specifically, exam accommodations apply to any timed written assessment that is designed to be completed in a single sitting and is graded for accuracy. Exam accommodations typically do not apply to lab work, homework/projects, or untimed "take-home style" exams which students can complete over multiple days. If you see a need for your exam accommodations to apply to anything on this list, please contact DSS to discuss.

The most common exam accommodation is extended time (either 1.5x or 2.0x), although students may be eligible for other accommodations such as:

  • Alternative format (ex. large print, Braille, electronic)
  • Student aide services (ex. reader, scribe, lab assistant)
  • Specialized environment (ex. reduced-distraction room, soft lighting, white noise machine)
  • Adaptive equipment and assistive technology

If your exams are designed to be administered in-person, typically, students opt to take their exams in the RVC Testing Center, where accommodations are proctored by the Testing Center. However, student situations vary and you should communicate any specific details regarding how and when you'd like your exam accommodations coordinated with your instructors.

A scheduled appointment is required for students taking their exam or quiz in the Testing Center with any of the following accommodations:

  • Student aide services (reader, scribe, or lab assistant)
  • Specialized environment, including a reduced-distraction room
  • Adaptive equipment and/or assistive technology
  • Alternative format exam

If your exam is designed to be taken at home utilizing Canvas or other virtual assessment method (NOT using Honorlock), you should communicate with your instructors about logistics (i.e. applying extended time in Canvas). If you have concerns with this setup, please contact DSS.

  1. At the start of the term, confirm with your instructor your need for extended time. Instructors are responsible for setting up extended time in Canvas by adjusting the time limit, availability windows, and/or due dates.
  2. We strongly recommend that you confirm that your time allotted, availability window, and due date are correct before starting a Canvas exam or quiz.
  3. If the exam or quiz settings are incorrect, please reach out to your instructor. If you are having difficulty contacting your instructor, please contact DSS.

Students should reference the Testing Center Guidelines for important information on coordinating exam accommodations in the Testing Center.

Honorlock is the online proctoring service that RVC has selected for professors to use with students taking online exams.

  • The policy for the Testing Center is that students should complete exams via the same modality (eg: paper with in-person proctor, vs online with in-person proctor, vs Honorlock - online with online proctor) as the rest of their class. Therefore, if your instructor is using Honorlock for testing, you are required to use Honorlock, even if you are allowed accommodations.
  • Because Honorlock is a service that proctors exams, students do not require an additional in-person proctor (Testing Center proctor).
  • Instructors control the Honorlock settings (including accommodations like extra time), therefore if you have any questions or concerns regarding settings you should reach out to your instructor.
  • The library has devoted a few spaces for students that do not have the ability to test at home or somewhere they are comfortable using Honorlock. Students can check in with the circulation desk at the library regarding reserving a space.

If you're testing at the Testing Center, review the Testing Center Guidelines to learn how to prepare for the day of your exam. Students with disabilities should also refer to the following information:

  • While Testing Center staff will meet your accommodation requests, they cannot guarantee a specific testing location for you as space is dependent upon availability.
  • Students are responsible for notifying instructor(s) of their intention to use the Testing Center for exam/quiz accommodations.
  • Exams/quizzes are normally administered in the Testing Center during the regularly scheduled class periods when other students are taking exams.
  • A valid, physical government or school-issued photo ID is required for all testing; photocopies or digital versions are not accepted.

  • Students who require one of the services listed below must schedule an appointment. Contact the Testing Center at least three days prior of the preferred exam/quiz date. Students should be prepared to indicate the exam/quiz date, time, course name and instructor name.
    • Audio test format
    • Reduced-distraction work area
    • Headphones (available upon request)
    • Large print
    • Assistive technology/adaptive equipment
    • Scribe
    • CCTV
    • Other services
  • Students should confirm their appointment and verify the exam or quiz is in the Testing Center 1-2 days prior to their appointment.
  • Students should notify the Testing Center if they have any concerns regarding accommodations before they start their exam or quiz.
  • Students requiring extended time only for exam/quiz completion do not need an appointment.

By using exam accommodations, you are expected to:

  • Show up on time for your exams. If you arrive late for an exam, you must either use the remaining time or contact the instructor for authorization to reschedule. There is no guarantee that the instructor will permit a makeup exam.
  • Confirm application of all of your needed accommodations prior to beginning the exam. Inform a Testing Center staff member if you have any problems with or did not receive you needed accommodations. 
  • Cancel your exam request through the Testing Center if, for any reason, you have decided not to take your exam at their facility.

  • All testing spaces are monitored via a closed-circuit camera. Exam video content is stored on a secured, on-site digital recording device that is maintained exclusively by Testing Center staff.
  • You are NOT permitted to touch/move the cameras that are located in the studio. If you are caught moving a camera you will be reported to the instructor and may be charged with academic misconduct.
  • A staff member may come into any testing location at any time to perform a random integrity check. 
  • Any suspected evidence of cheating will be documented by Testing Center staff and reported to the appropriate faculty member and the Dean of Students office. Any unauthorized notes and any scrap paper used during the exam will be copied and returned with the exam to the instructor, along with any video evidence.

Expectations for Scribes

  • Scribes will write down verbatim what you have dictated. The scribe is not responsible for organizing or paraphrasing your thoughts into a final draft. 
  • Scribes are responsible for general spelling and sentence ending punctuation. You are responsible for directing the scribe for any spelling of specific class related terminology or punctuation within sentences.
  • At any time, you will have the opportunity to review what the scribe has written either by reading or having it read to you. 
  • If there are corrections, you will direct the scribe to make them.

 

student sitting at table while studying outside

Policies & Procedures

The Grievance Process may be found in the Student Handbook.

For information on other policies, such as Service Animals on campus, please refer to the Board Policy Manual or contact Disability Support Services.

 

 

Reporting