Staff & Faculty FAQs

Diagnoses or disabilities may affect one’s access to equal opportunities within the classroom. SFCC Accessibility Services offers academic accommodations as a means to support student success. Documentation must be provided in the form of an IEP, 504, Doctor Diagnoses, or Mental Health Letter. Students then must meet with a Case Manger to develop a plan using the following link to book an appointment.

Book an Appointment with Accessibility Services: https://outlook.office365.com/book/SWCIntake@sfccnm.onmicrosoft.com/

Depending on the student’s disability, services include classroom and testing accommodations, use of adaptive technology, American Sign Language interpreters, note-taking, materials in an alternative format, educational counseling, and specialized tutoring.

A reasonable accommodation allows students to have an equal opportunity to a course to enjoy the benefits, opportunities, and privileges that are available to all students (with or without disabilities) while simultaneously not reducing or eliminating curriculum standards. Reasonable accommodations do not fundamentally alter or eliminate essential course requirements. More information on Accommodations:https://www.sfcc.edu/accessibility-accommodations-explained/ 

Step 1: Complete Initial Contact Form- https://sfcc.formstack.com/forms/initial_student_contact_form

Step 2: Submit documentation of your disability provided by a psychiatrist or qualified medical professional. Additionally, we accept 504 plans or Individualized Education Program (IEP) within the past 10 years. For documentation submission, medical professionals or high schools can fax the necessary paperwork to 505-428-1500, or email it to accessibilityservices@sfcc.edu.

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment- https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SWCIntake@sfccnm.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

Assignment extensions typically allow for students to have 1-3 additional days to complete assignments that have been open for less than a week.

1. Instructors must complete an Assignment Extension Agreement as soon as possible after receiving a Letter of Accommodation notice.
2. Instructors discuss with the student on how many additional days they may need and the method in which they want students to turn in their work with extensions.

Please encourage the student to book an appointment with an Accessibility Services case manager to discuss eligibility and what types of supports are available.

Students with this accommodation may have disability related absences throughout the semester.

1. Instructors must complete a Modified Attendance Agreement as soon as possible after receiving a Letter of Accommodation notice. This will indicate how many disability related absences students can have in a semester before there is a negative impact to their grade.
2. Instructors discuss with the student how many additional days they may need and the method in which they want students to turn in work that is missed. Instructors also indicate how they would like to be contacted by students.
   
   

Once registered with Accessibility Services, students can use the Student Wellness Center for a private room exam

1. Instructors should complete a cover sheet at least 2 weeks before their upcoming exam.
2. Indicate which accommodations are approved and send a copy of their exam to the Student Wellness Center (or exam passwords for digital exams).
3. If a student is approved for a reader/scribe, the Case Manager or a member of the Student Wellness Center will read the exam or assist with writing. They will not assist with content knowledge at any time.
4. Cover sheets can be emailed to: AccessibilityServices@sfcc.edu

Similar to alternative methods of class content, students may use adaptive technology to connect to class content. This can include dictation software, screen reading software, or even access to our Adaptive Technology Lab.

Students can use the Testing Center for a makeup or private room exam.

1. Instructors should complete a Testing Center cover sheet at least 2 weeks before their upcoming exam.
2. Instructors indicate on the cover sheet which accommodations are approved and send a copy of their exam to the Testing Center (or exam passwords for digital exams).
3. Cover sheets can be emailed to: TestingCenter@SFCC.edu

Students can be provided with alternative methods to access class content. This can include books in an alternative format (digital, audio, large font), copy of lectures, assistance of a peer notetaker, a digital recorder to record lectures, or adaptive functions in Canvas.

Students are asked to request an interpreter two weeks before classes start. They may also request and interpreter for meetings with advisors, case managers, instructors, etc.

1. Services falls under the umbrella of Accessibility Services. To contact Interpreting Services you may call 505-428-1349 or email InterpretingServices@sfcc.edu.
2. Accessibility Services also hosts two Interpreting Relay Booths where students can video conference with an interpreter to communicate with community agencies or other appointments.
3. Located in Lower Level 312 or to the right of Lower Level 313.

A peer note taker can be a volunteer in the class or a volunteer provided by the Student Wellness Center. These note takers are employed by the Student Wellness Center to assist in the completion of notes, assignment examples, and due date notation for a student with an approved accommodation.

1. Student Resource Coordinator: Joanna Johnston, 505-428-1069
   • Campus Cupboard, Clothing Exchange, Nonacademic Support
2. Mental Health Counseling: Leah Goldstein, 505-428-1682
   • UWILL: afterhours and weekend online support,uwill.com