Equal Access for Education at LBCC

Everyone needs help at some point in their lives. At LBCC you can get that help. Check out the Center for Accessibility Resources if you feel that you may need  accommodations for a disability.

                                       

The Center for Accessibility Resources (CFAR), formerly known as the Disability Services Office, is a program run by Carol Raymundo at Linn-Benton Community College. It's located at Red Cedar Hall, room 105. 

As soon as you know you are going to attend college and feel you may need some help in being successful, you can contact CFAR. There you will meet with Raymundo, and work together to see if you qualify for accommodations, with or without documented proof. This is an individualized program in which they consider all your needs.

What they do is work on a case-by-case base. If a student doesn't have documentation but can clearly identify where their learning is impacted, they then can try some accommodations. That's according to the National Disability of Higher Education guidelines. 

They also have a Support Lab, where you can test in a quiet atmosphere. 

CFAR has so far this year (2014-2015)  accommodated over 682 students with over 1,103 accommodations, and that was only four weeks into the Winter Term. This number grows thoughout the year.

Students who may need some accommodations, first need to plan ahead, making sure they know how they are going to attend college, and how they are going to pay for it. Students should have already taken their placement tests.

Students then can either go in person or apply online at www.linnbenton.edu/cfar, to get started with requesting accommodations. Then they meet with Raymundo and see what accommodations are available.

CFAR has many accommodations, such as accessible formats, classroom/lab accommodations, curriculum accommodations, testing accommodations and for the deaf/hard of hearing.

Raymundo works with  students to see what accommodations are needed, then they put the plan together and try different things for  students. 

CFAR also provides accommodations to students who may not be able to keep up. It could be that you just need a chair because your back hurts, or it could be you need someone to read for you because you can't read. They accommodate from the smallest things, to the biggest things.

Raymundo said, “Center for Accessibility Resources isn't a scary place. We hope students feel comfortable coming here. We want to make sure that if they have questions, they are able to ask them, and feel like they can.”

Changing the name to CFAR was a consideration, not a requirement, she said. This was done so students would feel more comfortable in asking for accommodations.

CFAR has the Support Lab located at RCH, room 114. Once students receive their accommodations, they can get started with scheduling their tests. Jennifer Walker will be there to set appointments for them.

Students will get their syllabus on their first day, which is where they can find all their test dates. This is what you will use to schedule your tests.

Walker said, “It is very important that you start scheduling your test the first week of school, especially finals, because the testing area fills up fast.”

The Support Lab has quiet with no distractions cubicles. There are two types of cubicles, one that has desks facing the door with a window, and one without a window so that there are no distractions.

Students must first be registered with CFAR for quiet testing, and then students must fill out the form that states what accommodations they intend to use.

Once the appointment has been set, students will give the form to their instructor. The instructor will fill their part out and take the test to the lab before the date set to test.

Walker said, “Anyone can use the Support Lab. You don’t have to have accommodations. If you just want a place to get away from the stressful college atmosphere, come here, use the computers, go on Facebook, play a game, just take a break. Just not during finals week, because they are full.” 

                                                   At a Glance

What: Center for Accessibility Resources at LBCC 
When: As soon as you know you are going to attend college 
Who: Carol Raymundo, Coordinator for CFAR  

Where: Red Cedar Hall, room105, or online at www.linnbenton.edu/cfar 
Why: To have equal access for education. So if you need any help in learning, contact  Raymundo at CFAR or go online.

Jennifer Walker

Carol Raymundo

Support Lab