Frequently Asked Questions

1.   Do I have to apply with DRC department to receive services?

It is your decision whether to use the DRC services, but be aware that if you need services such as interpreters or audio books, you must see a DRC counselor. Other services, such as tutoring, academic counseling, or career counseling are available to all students.

All students are entitled to the accommodations mandated by Americans with Disabilities Act, whether or not they choose to access additional services through DRC. These would include accessible seating, doors and counters, Braille signage, visual alarms for the Deaf, etc.

We recommend that you speak with a Counselor to help you decide whether DRC services are the best option to help you meet your academic and personal goals.

2.   How do I become a part of the DRC Program?

Participation by students with disabilities in the Disability Resource Center (DRC) shall be entirely voluntary. Students are not required to apply for services to receive Federally-mandated accommodations, such as automatic doors, disabled parking, or accessible counters and bathrooms. Students who wish academic accommodations, however, such as Sign-Language Interpreting, e-text, or a note taker, must register for services. To apply you must;

• Contact DRC to schedule an intake appointment.
• Meet with a DRC Counselor.  
  • Bring verification signed by a licensed professional (M.D., therapist, psychologist, etc.);
  • Sign a release of information to obtain medical verification of your disability
  • Provide an existing IEP, 504 or request LD testing.
• Discuss functional limitation presented by disability with counselor to determine accommodation eligibility.
• Meet with your Counselor each semester to monitor progress and make adjustments to your Accommodations and Education Plan.  Academic counseling may be done with DRC counselor or general academic counselor.

3.   What types of services and accommodations do you offer for students with disabilities?

Accommodations vary depending on the functional limitation presented by the disability.  Some of the services and accommodations provided include: alternate media, extended test time, sign language interpreters, priority registration, digital recorders, etc.

4.   What is alternate media?

Alternate Media means changing to a different format

Examples of Alternate Media:

• Braille books (Converts text to Braille)
• E-text of the syllabus (Converts hardcopy to electronic file that can be read on Kurzweil or screen reading software.
• MP3 of textbooks. (Converts text to audio.)
• Sign Language Interpreting. (Converts audio to ASL)
• Captioning (Converts speech to text)
• Enlarged text (Enlargements for students with Low Vision).

5.   What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology means software or equipment used to accommodate students with disabilities. Some assistive technology is high tech, such as a laser head-pointer for mobility impairment. Other assistive technology is low-tech, such as a digital recorder for students with auditory processing deficit. There is a wide variety of assistive technology available to overcome many types of barriers.

6.   What is the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)?

The Americans with Disabilities Act is Civil Rights Legislation that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Many people will remember the ADA as the Federal law that required changes in public access changes such as:

• Disabled parking spaces and accessible bathrooms for the wheelchair-bound.
• Braille signage for the Blind.
• Closed-captioning for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The ADA was signed into Federal Law in 1990, and defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity." Exclusions include active substance abuse, and vision impairment that is correctable by prescription lenses.

Mendocino College complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, providing accommodations such as:

• Disabled parking spaces.
• Automatic doors.
• Accessible bathrooms, telephones, drinking fountains, walkways, classrooms.
• Wheelchair-accessible desks.
• Braille maps and signage.
• TTY telephone for Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
• Visual (flashing) fire alarms.

These accommodations are available to all students, employees, prospective employees, and visitors as a matter of Public Access and ADA compliance. You do you not have to request these accommodations, and you do not have to enroll with the DRC to get these accommodations.

7.   Contact Information: