By Rosa Jaimes/reporter

Assistance and confidentiality remain at the forefront with disability support services at TCC.

Joan Moyer, SE Campus DSS coordinator, said all disabilities are confidential and not discussed with professors at students’ request.

“We lock all files in a cabinet,” she said.

TCC provides DSS offices on each campus to accommodate students with disabilities in both credit and non-credit programs. Students must meet all requirements to obtain DSS.

First, the student must be accepted for admission to TCC. Then, the student must complete an interview application form available in the DSS offices. Finally, the student must present the DSS coordinator with diagnosis documentation from a licensed professional.

“Students with vision problems need larger prints on computers,” said South Campus senior office assistant Carrie Cummings. “Therefore, we accommodate students with the use of a word processor.”

Cummings said TCC also assists students in determining what accommodations they need.

“A memory or math-related disability would accommodate the student with the use of a calculator or formula sheet during testing,” she said.

DSS provides note copying and sign language interpreters. DSS can also accommodate some health issues.

“If someone is diabetic and has low blood sugar, a snack can be given during class or testing,” Cummings said.

With the Alternative Testing Request Form, students can ask for accommodations related to their disabilities such as extended time, reader, food and/or drink, use of dictionary, a scribe for Scantron and/or essay tests and use of auxiliary aids.

Chelsea Moore, NW senior secretary, said DSS does not handle scholarships, but deaf or blind students who are Texas residents can receive an exemption from payment of tuition and fees. Section 54.205 of the Texas Education Code only pertains to institutions of higher education that utilize public funds upon certification of the appropriate state vocational agency.

“NE Campus currently does not have a coordinator, but students need not to worry because there is plenty of information online, and coordinators from other campuses will help if you come and visit,” said former South Campus coordinator Carl Scherrieb.

“All campuses follow the same guidelines. Brochures are available at every campus’ Office of DSS.”

Scherrieb said South Campus typically serves about 110 students a semester.

Adrian Rodriguez, Trinity River Campus vice president of student development services, said the campus does not have a coordinator yet, but coordinators from the other campuses will help until that person is hired.

Students can find more information in brochures in the DSS offices or on the TCC Web site under the student services category. Students can also schedule special appointments at any campus DSS office.

Offices are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

Contact Info

NE Campus:  NSTU 1629, 817-515-6333

NW Campus:  WCTS 1124, 817-515-7733

South Campus:  SSTU 1121, 817-515-4554

SE Campus:  ESED 2302, 817-515-3593

TR Campus:  TRTR 1408A, 817-515-1055