Access and Learning Accommodations

The Access and Learning Accommodations (ALA) office is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment by providing equitable access and accommodations in the classroom, in our programs, and across our campuses.

The mission of the Access and Learning Accommodations office is to respond to the needs of students with disabilities and remove barriers that may prevent equitable and integrated access to TSTC programs and services. We do this by:

Proactively advocating for excellent course design and an accessible campus environment.
Collaborating with staff and faculty to provide individualized accommodations for students when necessary.
Connecting students with campus and community resources.
Strengthening disability awareness throughout the TSTC community through education and training.

Access and Learning Accommodations Services & Information

Accommodation Coordination

Types of Accommodations

Using Accommodation at TSTC

Policies and Procedures

Accommodation Coordination

Determining Accommodations
The ALA office reviews each student’s accommodation requests and supporting documentation to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations. Every student is assigned an ALA Advisor who evaluates disability-related needs and functional limitations and determines the accommodations the student is eligible to receive.

Student Intake Meeting
An intake meeting is your first appointment with an ALA Advisor to establish approved accommodations at TSTC. During this meeting, you will review your accommodations requests, discuss how accommodations are implemented, and learn about helpful campus resources. Intake meetings may last up to an hour and can be completed in person, online, or by phone.

Working with Instructors
Students and instructors are expected to discuss approved accommodations to ensure a shared understanding of how they will be implemented. If questions arise or accommodations are not adequately meeting a student’s needs, the ALA office can assist by consulting with faculty and serving as a liaison between students and instructors.

Types of Accommodations

Academic accommodations: Classroom adjustments that support accessible learning environments and remove barriers for students with disabilities.

Housing accommodations: Campus housing modifications, including accessible rooms and approved Emotional Support Animals (ESA’s). More Information on ESA’s

Dining accommodations: Adjustments to campus dining, including dietary modifications and allergy accommodations.

Event accommodations: For event accommodations, students should contact the ALA office at adarequest@tstc.edu at least one week before the event.

Communication Access Services: The ALA office provides sign language interpreting and transcription services. To request these services, students must complete the accommodations process.

Sign Language Interpreting Services

ALA has sign language interpreters on staff and can contract with additional interpreters as needed.
Request Interpreter Services
Informational document for students with Interpreter Services

Assistive Technology Services: Information Here

Service Animals: Information Here

Using Accommodation at TSTC

Requesting Accommodation Letters

Students who are officially registered with ALA and need academic accommodations must request their accommodation letters each semester. To request their accommodation letters, students will need to complete the following process.

Log into the AIM Database using your TSTC credentials.

Step 1: Select each course for which you would like to receive accommodations.
Step 2: Click the ‘Continue to Customize Your Accommodations’ button.
Step 3: Select the accommodations you would like to utilize in each course.
Step 4: Click the ‘Submit Your Accommodations Request’ button.

Accommodations Reminders

Accommodations are not retroactive.
If students need to modify their accommodations, they should contact their assigned ALA Advisor.

Policies and Procedures

The Law
The ALA office operates in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 to ensure equal access for students with disabilities.

Grievance Procedure Information can found here.

Student Confidentiality
Student records are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). All disability documentation submitted to the ALA office is kept confidential and separate from a student’s academic record.

Student Disclosure
Students are not required to share their disability-related information, including diagnosis or symptoms, with anyone outside of the ALA office. Disclosure is always a personal choice.
Accommodation letters do not contain diagnostic or disability related information. Conversations with instructors should focus on how the accommodations will be provided in each class, rather than why the accommodations are necessary.

Student Records
Students may request a copy of their disability documentation by completing a Release of Information form. To begin this process, students can contact the ALA office at adarequest@tstc.edu. Documentation is managed in accordance with TSTC’s Records Retention Cycles.

How to Request Accommodations

STEP 1

Fill Out Form

To request accommodations for the first time at TSTC, complete the Student Application Form.

Student Application Form

STEP 2

Provide Documentation

Provide documentation to ALA in one of the following ways:

Upload documentation with your Student Application or via the link provided as part of the Student Application.
Submit documentation via email at adarequest@tstc.edu or by fax at 254-777-6507.

Documentation Guidelines

STEP 3

Schedule an Intake Meeting

An ALA staff member will contact you to schedule an Intake Meeting. The staff will collaborate with college personnel to develop appropriate accommodations that ensure equal access to all programs, activities, and services at TSTC.

How to Prepare for the Intake Meeting

STEP 4

Requesting Accommodation Letters

Students will receive an eligibility letter outlining their approved accommodations and instructions for requesting accommodation letters. Accommodation letters must be requested each semester for accommodations to take effect, and once requested, the letters are sent to both the student and instructors. Students and instructors are expected to discuss the accommodations to ensure a shared understanding of how they will be implemented.

Resources & Referrals

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Tuition Waivers

Deaf Tuition Waiver Guidance

Texas Health and Human Services – Blind and Visually Impaired Services

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Guidance

E motional Support Animal Guidance

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA

Laws, Regulations and Standards

TSTC Resources

Counseling and Mental Health Services

Advocacy and Resource Center

Advising and Tutoring

Texas Workforce Commission – Vocational Rehabilitation Commission

Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Vocational Rehabilitation Services – Youth and Students

U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR)

Office for Civil Rights

Disability Discrimination

Contact Us

Students, please contact the Access and Learning Accommodations Office at 254-867-3600 or adarequest@tstc.edu for accommodation requests.
Employees and visitors, please contact Human Resources for accommodations requests at 254-867-4810 or hrservicecenter@tstc.edu.

Abilene

650 E. Highway 80
Abilene, TX 79602

254-867-3600

adarequest@tstc.edu

Breckenridge

307 N. Breckenridge Ave.
Breckenridge, TX 76424

254-867-3600

adarequest@tstc.edu

Brownwood

301 Main Street
Brownwood, TX 76801

254-867-3600

adarequest@tstc.edu