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Student Accommodations and Disability Services

How to Apply

Morton College is committed to providing equal access for students with documented disabilities. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, students are guaranteed access to college programs and services. Students with a documented disability may request accommodations through the Office of Student Accommodations. Any student requesting accommodations must complete a Request for Accommodation Form, provide documentation, and complete an intake interview. Student are highly encouraged to request accommodations early in the registration process. Morton College’s Coordinator of Student Accommodations will assist you through this process and be available to answer any questions.

Step 1: Fill out a Accommodations Request Form.

Step 2: Submit disability documentation. For additional information, see Disability Documentation Guidelines. Disability Verification Form may be required in addition to submitted documentation.

Step 3: Meet with Coordinator of Student Accommodations for an intake appointment. At this point, accommodations based on your individual needs will be discussed.

Step 4: The Coordinator will email the accommodation letter to the student and faculty.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for communicating with The Office of Student Accommodations and informing the Accommodations Coordinator of any class schedule changes including adding, dropping or withdrawing.

Informing the Accommodations Coordinator of any barriers or accommodations not being provided.
Requesting accommodations in a timely manner. Accommodations are not applied retroactively and become effective from the time the instructor receives the Accommodation Plan.
Communicating with your instructors about your accommodations and making testing arrangements in advance.

Access to College Programs

Post-secondary students with disabilities are guaranteed access to college programs and services by the following federal law:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

"No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States... shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Definition of Disability

The law defines a person with a disability as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The definition further indicates that you are a "person with a disability" and entitled to protection from discrimination if you have a disability, if you have a history of a disability, or if you are regarded as having a disability.

An "otherwise qualified" disabled individual is defined as one who with an auxiliary aid (e.g., tape recorder, text-on-tape, notetaker) or reasonable accommodation (e.g., test proctoring, extended time for testing, sign language interpreter) can meet the academic requirements that an institution can demonstrate essential to its education program.

Student Accommodations FAQs

The Office of Student Accommodations is your resource for equal access to education at Morton College. If you have a disability (whether physical, sensory, mental health, learning-related, neurodivergent, or something else) our office works with you to remove barriers and ensure you can fully participate in college life.
We connect students with academic accommodations, partner with faculty and staff to make campus more accessible, and support your growth as an independent, self-advocating student.
Any enrolled Morton College student with a documented disability is eligible to request accommodations. This includes, but is not limited to, physical, sensory, mental health, learning, and neurodivergent conditions (as well as temporary conditions and injuries that impact your ability to participate in coursework).
Students who are pregnant or experiencing pregnancy-related conditions are also eligible for accommodations under Title IX. This includes pregnancy, childbirth, recovery, and related medical conditions.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title IX, Morton College is committed to ensuring equal access to all programs and services for every eligible student.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to reach out. Our office is happy to talk about your situation and help you understand your options.
To register, please follow these four steps: 1. Complete an Accommodation Request Form, available on the Morton College website or in the office; 2. Submit relevant disability documentation from a qualified professional; 3. Meet with the Coordinator of Student Accommodations for an intake appointment to discuss your individual needs; 4. An accommodation letter will be created and emailed to the student and faculty.
Documentation helps us understand how your disability impacts your education. The type of documentation accepted depends on your disability, but may include any of the following:
- Evaluation or assessment reports (such as psychoeducational, neuropsychological, or medical evaluations)
- A recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan from your previous school
- A letter or report from a qualified professional such as a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed specialist
- Diagnostic records or medical history related to your condition
- A completed Morton College Disability Verification Form (may be required in some cases)
Documentation should generally include a diagnosis, an explanation of how your disability affects your academic functioning, and any recommended accommodations. We ask that documentation be recent and relevant to your current needs, though requirements vary depending on the nature of the disability.
Not sure if your documentation qualifies? Reach out to our office, we are happy to review what you have and let you know if anything additional is needed.
Not all accommodation requests are automatically approved, and accommodations recommended by an outside provider are not guaranteed to be granted. The Office of Student Accommodations conducts an individualized, interactive review of each request based on the submitted documentation, the nature of the disability, and the academic environment. Approved accommodations are those determined to be reasonable and appropriate under federal guidelines, meaning they provide equal access without fundamentally altering the nature of a course or program. If you have questions about a decision or would like to discuss your options, we encourage you to contact our office directly.
No. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans from high school do not transfer to college. Higher education operates under a different legal framework. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which places greater responsibility on the student to self-identify, provide current documentation, and request accommodations. While your IEP or 504 Plan may be helpful as a starting point and can be submitted as part of your documentation, it does not guarantee approval of the same services or accommodations you received in high school. We encourage all incoming students with disabilities to contact the Office of Student Accommodations early to begin the registration process.
Morton College placement tests are untimed, so all students may work at their own pace. Additional testing accommodations (such as a separate testing room or use of assistive technology) may be available for students registered with the Office of Student Accommodations. To request accommodation for a placement test, contact our office before your scheduled testing date.
Accommodations are determined on an individual basis based on your documented disability and academic needs. Common accommodations include extended time on exams, a reduced-distraction testing environment, note-taking assistance, captioning or interpreting services, accessible course materials, and use of assistive technology. Accommodations are designed to provide equal access.
Yes. All information you share with our office, including your disability, documentation and diagnosis, is kept strictly confidential in accordance with FERPA. Instructors are notified only of your approved accommodations, not of your specific disability or diagnosis.
Students are responsible for: notifying our office of any schedule changes (adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses); informing the Accommodations Coordinator if any accommodation is not being provided; requesting accommodations in a timely manner each semester; and communicating with instructors about accommodations and making testing arrangements in advance. Remember, accommodations are not retroactive and go into effect as soon as the instructor receives the accommodation letter.
If you experience a barrier or if accommodation is not provided, please contact the Office of Student Accommodations as soon as possible. Our Coordinator will work with you and your instructor to resolve the issue.
We'd love to hear from you! You can reach us by:
- Email:disabilityservices@morton.edu
- Phone:708-656-8000, ext. 2433
- In Person: One Stop Center
Whether you have questions about the accommodations process or just want to talk through your needs, feel free to reach out or stop in for a consultation. We're here to support you!