Center for Access and Accommodative Services (CAAS)

The Center for Access and Accommodative Services (CAAS) arranges access and academic accommodations for students who submit a completed CAAS Confidential Data form and provide current documentation of a medical condition and/or disability that affects their academic performance. To best prepare for the semester students want accommodations for, it is recommended that they submit a confidential data form and documentation of their medical condition/disability four weeks prior to the start of the semester. All other requests will be processed as quickly as possible.

Documentation can be in the form of medical records, high school records, and diagnostic testing reports that contain current testing measures and results that lead to a diagnosis of a condition and/or disability. Students must make arrangements to have documentation of their medical condition and/or disability sent to the CAAS office when applying for services. The CAAS staffing committee approves specific accommodations and services based on the student's request and whether the documentation provides justification for the services requested.

Upon approval of CAAS services and accommodations, an email will be sent to the student listing the approved accommodations and next steps on how to activate the accommodations.

Confidentiality
Documentation and records submitted to the CAAS office that determine a student's eligibility for accommodations are kept confidential within the CAAS office. Records are not disclosed without the student's written permission.

New Students Requesting Accommodation Services Information
CAAS Request for Accommodations Confidential Data Form (PDF Version)
CAAS Request for Accommodations Confidential Data Form (Word Doc Version)
CAAS Medical
CAAS Psychiatric Request Form

Returning students must submit a Request for Services form each semester after registering for classes to activate their accommodations for the upcoming semester.

Students requesting sign language interpreting services for meetings, events etc. other than for classes need to submit an Interpreter Request form a minimum of three days prior to the event.

CAAS Request Services Form (PDF Version)
CAAS Request Services Form (Word Doc Version)  - Please note the link title and the link the title will be pointing to

Interpreter Request Form

Students may also use the following link to submit their request for services without downloading or attaching the form. The form is accessible by tablet or phone.

The following requirements must be met to use this form:

• The students personal information such as name, address, and phone number has not changed since the last time services were requested
• The student must have completed registration for the upcoming semester
• The student is not requesting new accommodations.

Log into the form using the students Triton College email address and password  

Express Request for Services Form

Accessible parking spaces are available and marked with the international disability symbol (blue wheelchair) in the vicinity of all campus buildings.

Individuals who have “handicapped" hand tags or “handicapped” license plates may park in the designated handicapped parking spaces. Persons who have limited mobility and do not currently have a “handicapped” license plate or local hang tag, may obtain a Triton College “handicapped parking” tag at the Health Services office.

To obtain a parking tag, individuals need to submit a completed application and documentation to the Health Services office supporting the necessity of special parking.

Students may take all three of the exams at one time or they may choose to take one exam at a time over the course of a couple of days. Placement exams are not timed; therefore, students are encouraged to take their time and try to obtain the highest score possible.

Students seeking the accommodation of using a calculator for the exam must apply for the accommodation at the Center for Access and Accommodative Services located in Room A-105 by filling out a Confidential Data form and submitting documentation of their disability and/or medical condition. 

Accommodative testing services, such as additional testing time or adapted equipment, must be requested when filling out the Confidential Data form.  Students who are approved for testing accommodations will work cooperatively with their instructors to ensure accommodations are available for all exams. Students who will take exams at the CAAS will need to make an appointment for each exam a minimum of three days prior to the date they wish to take the exam.

Student Testing Appointment Form

Alternate text material services are provided for students whose documentation justifies the need for enlarged text or text read aloud by technology that will allow the student to work to their fullest academic potential.

The Center for Access and Accommodative Services (CAAS) assists students with accessing buildings and classrooms while providing a safe environment.

CAAS must re-locate classes when a student who uses a wheelchair is in a classroom located on a floor that requires the elevator to exit the building. Classes located on the second floor that are connected by a walkway to another building are acceptable.

Students are responsible for notifying CAAS of necessary room changes by filling out the Request for Services form at the time of registration.

CAAS also assists students who have physical limitations with adequate seating in classrooms by providing a separate chair and table in place of the combined chair and desk. This request is made by the student on the Request for Services form at the time of registration.

Student Accommodations

Students who are interested in establishing academic accommodations may do so by filling out a CAAS Confidential Data form and submitting it with documentation of their disability and/or medical condition to the Center for Access and Accommodative Services in room A 105 or by email caas@triton.edu.

Student accommodations are activated after the student completes a CAAS Services Training of the accommodations they have been approved for according to the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Students must activate their accommodations each semester by submitting a Request for Services form indicating the classes they are requesting accommodations for. Students have the right to utilize their approved accommodations in all of their classes or just the classes they wish to use them in. Students are also encouraged to discuss their accommodations with their instructors to inform them of the accommodations they will use in that particular class.

Instructors are informed of student accommodations through an email from CAAS that lists the accommodations the student has been approved for. Instructors will also see an indication on their class roster that the student is approved for accommodations.

Instructors may refer students who are interested in establishing accommodations to CAAS by providing them with CAAS information. Instructors may also submit a CAAS Referral Form if the student gives consent to share their contact information. 

Testing Accommodations

Students are approved with half or double additional testing time depending on the documentation of their medical condition or disability.

Students needing to take a paper and pencil exam must make an appointment at the CAAS office. Instructors will submit the exams in person or via email at the CAAS for the student to take. Every exam Must be accompanied by a CAAS Faculty Testing Form that provides proctoring instructions.

Instructors giving exams through Bb will need to set the timer to include the students’ accommodation of additional time. Instructors needing assistance with adjusting the test time on Bb for an exam may contact the PDC.

Note Taking Accommodations

Students approved for the Note Taking accommodation have the right the following use the following services

Use of a Recording Software (Otter) to voice record lectures, discussions and lab instructions

Students who use a recording software to record lectures sign an agreement to not share the recordings and to destroy them at the end of the semester.

Notes and/or Power Point presentations from the instructor when available

A human notetaker (student working to provide a copy of their notes)

Instructors are asked to assist with finding a student in the class to work as a Notetaker by making an announcement when a human Notetaker is needed. The announcement should be made without stating the name of the student who needs the notes. An announcement should resemble the following:

“The college is looking for a student to work as a Notetaker. Notetakers take notes for class lectures and class discussions by using carbon paper to make two copies. One copy is given to the student who needs the notes and the other is for yourself. Notetakers are paid a stipend at the end of the semester. If you are interested in working as a Notetaker and assisting a classmate, contact CAAS in room A 105.”

Students who use a recording software to record lectures sign an agreement to not share the recordings and to destroy them at the end of the semester. 

Sign Language Interpreting

Sign Language interpreting services are arranged through the CAAS office for student classes.

Sign Language interpreters are responsible for facilitating communication between the instructor and students in the class and have no other responsibilities.

 It is the responsibility of the student and the instructor to inform the CAAS office of all class time, room changes, and date changes for the class so interpreters will have the correct information. Instructors may Not make changes as to when an interpreter will be present in the class. All changes must go through the CAAS office at extension 3917.

Note Taking accommodation are available in the following formats for students who have been approved for the accommodation.

Use of a Recording Software (Otter) to voice record lectures, discussions and lab instructions

Students who use a recording software to record lectures sign an agreement to not share the recordings and to destroy them at the end of the semester.

Notes and/or Power Point presentations from the instructor when available

Human note taker (A student in the class willing to provide a copy of their notes)

Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) are individuals who are hired to assist a person with personal needs of daily living such as eating, toileting, handling school supplies, etc. Personal Care Attendants are not allowed to remain in the classroom during class. They must wait for the student in the hall.

If a student needs a PCA, it is the student’s responsibility to recruit, interview, hire, train, pay, etc. the PCA.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are animals “that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability including, but not limited to guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.”

According to the definition of the ADA the person must have a disability as defined by the ADA and the animal must be trained to do specific work and tasks for the person.

Students who have the need for a service animal on campus should first contact the Center for Access and Accommodative Services (CAAS) to register as a student needing services and submit documentation of their disability.

Students who establish services through CAAS will be required to attend a Services Training to learn about the policies and procedures of the services they wish to use.

Students using service animals on campus must adhere to the following:

• The owner/handler must fill out a Service Animal Registration form at the CAAS office
• Provide evidence that the animal has been individually and specifically trained for the benefit of the individual who has a disability and desires the use of the animals assistance
• Provide a current clean health certificate
• The animal must be on a leash and under control at all times
• Owners/handlers are required to carry equipment and bags sufficient to clean the animal’s waste and properly dispose of it. Persons who are not physically able to pick up and dispose of the animal waste are responsible for making necessary arrangements for assistance. The college is not responsible for cleaning animal waste.
• The care and supervision of the service animal is the sole responsibility of the owner/handler
• The animal must be used in ways that do not create safety hazards for other persons
• Service animals that are ill are not allowed on campus
• Service animals that are unruly or disruptive (barking, running around unleashed, aggressive toward others, bringing attention to itself and/or other disruptive behavior) will be required to be removed from the campus
• Service animals are prohibited from kitchens and areas where food is prepared
• CAAS suggests that service animals have some identifying identification such as a harness, cape, or backpack as appropriate so others can identify them as a working animal

Sign Language interpreting services are provided for students whose primary communication is through the use of Sign Language. The services are arranged through the CAAS office for student classes.

Students establish this service by submitting a CAAS Confidential Data form prior to attending Triton College. Returning students are required to request the service for the upcoming semester by submitting  a Request for Services form at the time of registration four (4) weeks prior to the first day of class. Requests and schedule changes submitted less than four weeks prior to the first day of class will delay the service.

Students requesting sign language interpreting services for meeting appointments and/or campus events other than regular scheduled classes must submit an Interpreter Request form a minimum of one (1) week before the appointment/ event.

It is the responsibility of the student to inform the CAAS office of all class time, room changes, and date changes for the class so interpreters will have the correct information.

Interpreter Request Form

Voice-to-Text Services are provided for students who have a hearing loss and use voice-to-text as a means of communication to be able to work to their fullest academic potential in the classroom.

Students may request this service by filling out and submitting a CAAS Confidential Data form and submitting documentation of their hearing loss prior to attending Triton College. Returning students are required to request the service for the upcoming semester by filling out and submitting a Service Request form each semester at the time of registration.

All requests must be submitted a minimum of three (3) weeks prior to the first day of class. Requests and schedule changes submitted less than three weeks prior to the first day of class will delay services.