The rights of students with disabilities — including, but not limited to those with learning disabilities, ADHD, chronic health conditions, traumatic brain injuries, hearing impairments, physical impairments, psychological disorders, visual impairments, other health impairments, and/ or any physiological disorder or condition – are protected under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Teachers College of San Joaquin, as a public institution of higher education, is legally required to provide academic adjustments and reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, under Title II of the ADA.

The purpose of these laws is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities. A student with learning disabilities may need accommodations and/ or aids such as:

  • extended time for tests (which is the most common accommodation),
  • taped textbooks,
  • note-taker and/ or scribe services,
  • use special equipment such as tape recorders, computers, spell checkers, and dictionaries.

Faculty members are not required to lower academic requirements or to change fundamental learning outcomes of the course. The purpose of providing alternate assessment arrangements is to ensure that a fair measurement is made of the student’s achievement, not the functional limitations caused by the disability.

It is the responsibility of the student to understand his/ her disability and communicate appropriate accommodations to staff and/or faculty; and, make timely arrangements for support services with the instructor.

The Office of Graduate Studies coordinates support for students with disabilities so they may participate fully and not be excluded or denied access to any college program or activity on the basis of their disability. “No qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any public entity” (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Sec 35.130 (a), Amended 2010). We also aim to help students who experience temporary medical conditions and injuries who may need accommodations. Furthermore, we are willing to consult with any student about services we provide.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Crescentia Thomas, Ed.D., Director of Graduate Studies
Phone: (209) 953-2126, cthomas@sjcoe.net

Michele Badovinac, M.A., Director, IMPACT Credentials
Phone: (209) 468-9141, mbadovinac@sjcoe.net

Danielle Silva, M.Ed., Graduate Advisor, Academic Review Committee Chair
Phone: (209) 468-9172, dasilva@sjcoe.net