College students in class

Accessibility Services

Removing barriers for disabled students by providing access to opportunities. Accessibility Services supports faculty and staff in creating an environment that is welcoming and facilitates inclusion and learning for students with disabilities.

Connect With Us

If you are interested in connecting with our office, please complete the two forms found in the "Student Resources" section below. Then, schedule an initial meeting by contacting 303-914-6733 or access@rrcc.edu

If available, we ask that you provide our office with any disability information/documentation you feel is helpful for our staff to determine accommodations. If you do not already have an IEP, 504, or other document from your provider(s), the Disability Information Form can be used by the professional who diagnosed you or who is treating you. Please print out the form and give it to your professional or email it and have the professional follow the instructions on the top of the form.

If you suspect you have a disability or have never been formally diagnosed with a disability, we invite you to connect with our office for more information.

Resources

Textbook Information

For any information you may need about your textbooks, you may visit the bookstore textbook finder.

Alternatively, students can log into The Rock, then click on the "Student" tab. On the top left corner of the main content screen students will see the Student Schedule for the current semester or given the option to change to a later semester. Once on the correct semester, click the "Order Your Textbooks" link. This process will automatically pull up all the books required for each course students are enrolled in.

For more information, or for any questions, please contact Enrique Castro.

Book Requests

The alternative format process generally takes 1 to 3 weeks from the date the request is received. Please be sure to request your books two to three weeks prior to the beginning of the new semester or as soon as you have registered for classes.

  • Students must have been approved for alternative media/materials during the intake
  • A semester Request Form must be submitted requesting Alternative Format as an accommodation
  • A book agreement form has to be signed every semester prior to beginning of the semester
  • Students must own a physical copy of the textbook
  • proof of purchase is required
  • These requirements have to be met before the alternative format will be issued

If you meet these requirements and would like to get a jump start on your books, the following Semester Request forms are available:

You may also contact access@rrcc.edu or 303-914-6735 for any questions.

Accommodations Process

Students who have not worked with our office before can schedule an initial meeting by calling 303-914-6733 or emailing access@rrcc.edu. The meeting can take place in person, on Zoom, or by phone.

Accessibility Services is located in Suite 1182 in the Learning Commons at the Lakewood Campus.  Appointments can be arranged at the Arvada campus, as well.

Please reference the guide below if you need more information about the transition to college from high school for students with disabilities.

  • Differences Between High School and College (pdf)
  • For more information, see the information below in the "Student Resources" section below.
  • Student Information Form (for new students)
  • Rights and Responsibilities (for new students)
Getting Ready for an Initial Meeting

Before attending your initial meeting, please fill out the forms below.

Semester Process

Once you have had your initial meeting, a Semester Request Form must be completed every semester. For help filling out the request form, please stop by the office, email access@rrcc.edu, or call 303-914-6733 or 720-336-3893 (VP) so that we may assist you.

 

How do accommodations for testing work?
  • Instructors will receive copies of the Accommodated Testing Form and the Accommodated Testing Form Instructions with the student's Accommodations Letter. 
  • Instructors must fill out the Accommodated Testing Form Stack or submit the Accommodated Testing Form (pdf) with a copy of the test and any other additional instructions or supplies to Accessibility Services by email or by stopping by the office.
  • If possible, instructors should send the material 24 hours in advance. Pick-up of completed tests will be in the Assessment Center unless other arrangements are made. 
  • Tests are administered in the Assessment Center unless you discuss taking tests in-class with your instructor or are authorized to test in Accessibility Services. You must schedule a testing appointment with the Assessment Center by calling 303-914-6727 or emailing assessment.center@rrcc.edu.
  • If you are approved to test in Accessibility Services, you must contact us to schedule an appointment (access@rrcc.edu or 303-914-6733).
  • If you would like to take the test in the classroom, you must notify the instructor of this change the class period before the test date.

Faculty Handbook

The Faculty Handbook can be found here

Accommodated Testing

The Accommodated Testing Instructions are found here

There are two ways to fill out the Accommodated Testing Form: 

Note: For tests at the Arvada campus, the Accommodated Testing Form (pdf) and the testing material must be sent to assessment.center@rrcc.edu or dropped off at the Arvada Assessment Center (Room 7117).

Accommodations Requiring Discussion Information:

For accommodations requiring a discussion between Accessibility Services, instructors, and the student, please see the Accommodations Requiring Discussion Instructions (pdf).

Information about Disabilities
Impact of Specific Disabilities:
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Information:
Autism:
Resources for Instruction

For more information, please check out Instructional Design and Course Accessibility at RRCC.

Differentiation:

Differentiation entails adjusting content, process, product, and instruction to meet the needs of individual students. It does not necessarily mean recreating entire lessons or curricula. Below are some resources to provide faculty with strategies and explanations for differentation.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

UDL is "the design of teaching and learning products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design." Making classrooms more accessible benefits all students. Below are some resources for faculty to explore the possibilities of UDL and how to easily integrate it into existing curriculum.

Miscellaneous Resources
Syllabus Statement
Service Animals
Equally Equitable Alternate Access Plan (EEAAP)

This form is for products, services, and instructional materials that do not meet WCAG 2.0 AA. An alternative access plan will need to be created. This form details the information and sends it to the Web Accessibility Committee for review. 

Event Accessibility (ADAAA) Statement for Campus Events

In order to ensure the accessibility of all campus sponsored events, include an ADAAA statement on all event advertisements, announcements, emails, and flyers. 

Captioned Course Media Requests

In an effort to provide equal access to course media and content, please select movies and videos that contain Closed Captions. 

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)

To celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the Red Rocks Community has built a GAAD page with resources and tips about accessibility. Please visit the RRCC GAAD page to learn more!

Education to Employment (E2E)

Education to Employment (E2E) is a program to help prepare students, aged 15-21, to transition from education to work. 

Some of the services include internships, work-readiness training, resume building, and career exploration. 

Please see the flyer for more information:

Assessment Evaluations Resource List

Accessibility Services has a resource list for students who need more information on learning disabilities evaluations. The local centers on the list below offer a variety of testing at varying costs. This list is not exhaustive. Check with your medical doctor, local mental health center, or the Colorado Psychological Association for other resources. 

Epilepsy Foundation

The Epilepsy Foundation has a fact sheet with information about Epilepsy. 

The A.T. Lab

If you need assistive software to complete your assignments, the A.T. Lab might be the place for you! If you are a student registered with Accessibility Services, you may be eligible to check out a digital recorder or a Livescribe Smartpen. Students are encouraged and invited to use the Assistive Technology Lab to complete assignments and utilize the various assistive technologies detailed below. 

Training for any of the Assistive Technology Programs is available to students, staff, and instructors. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the front desk at 303-914-6733.

Dictation/Speech-To-Text Programs:
Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon is a powerful Speech-to-Text program that allows you to talk into a microphone and the words you speak appear in your document. Students can dictate, edit, and command the computer by voice. Dragon is only available in the A.T. Lab at this current time.

Google Voice Typing

Google Voice Typing is a free alternative to Dragon Naturally Speaking. To access Google Voice Typing, you must have a Google Account, which is free to create. Go into the Tools menu in Google Docs and select Voice Typing. Click on the microphone that pops up and start speaking. Your text will be entered into the typing field. 

Note-taking Support:
Livescribe Smartpens

Livescribe Smartpens are a great note-taking tool that combines written notes and recorded audio. The Smartpen allows you to listen to recorded class lectures by simply tapping the tip of the Smartpen on your written notes. You can also upload your notes to your computer for playback and search for content. Livescribe Smartpens are available for check out for students registered and approved with Accessibility Services.

Digital Recorders

Digital recorders are available for check out for students registered and approved with Accessibility Services for recording classroom lectures.

Reading and Literacy/Text to Speech:
Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil is a Text-to-Speech program that provides students with reading, writing, and comprehension support. Students can open books in alternate format and use Kurzweil to read the text aloud. Other features include the ability to enlarge font, making it easier for students who are visually impaired to see what is on the screen. Kurzweil also includes writing tools to help with brainstorming, creating "thought bubbles," and creating outlines used for writing reports and essays. Kurzweil 3000 is available as both a desktop and cloud based program. Kurzweil 3000  is free to use by any student on campus and can be installed on a laptop or home computer.

Read Aloud Chrome Extension

Read Aloud is a free Chrome extension that can be downloaded by opening up Google and searching Read Aloud extension. The extension reads highlighted and selected text on the web and users can control the speed and voice narration.

Text to Speech

Text to Speech (link is external) is free web tool where users can copy and paste text from anywhere to have text read out loud. Please note that there is a 4000 character limit. Text can be downloaded as an mp3 file.

Built-In Accessibility:
Windows

Personalize your windows computer with any of the built-in accessibility features to support ease with seeing, hearing, and mobility interactions with your computer. Available features include Screen Reader/Text-to-Speech (Narrator), Magnification (Magnifier), Speech-to-Text and Voice Control (Speech Recognition), on screen keyboard, high contrast schemes, and the ability to personalize the appearance of your computer including text.

Requesting ASL Interpreters or Speech-to-Text Services

Students must be approved for the accommodation during the initial meeting and accommodations process.

New students can make an appointment for an initial meeting by emailing access@rrcc.edu, or by calling 303-914-6733 (V) or 720-336-3893 (VP). Request an ASL interpreter when you schedule the appointment. 

Accessibility Services is located in Suite 1182 on the Lakewood campus.  Appointments can be arranged at the Arvada campus.

Request an ASL Interpreter or Speech-to-Text Services for Classes

Class requests for an ASL interpreter or speech-to-text services should be submitted four weeks prior to the first day of class by submitting a Semester Request Form .

All students must submit a Semester Request Form each semester.  See Accessibility Services Home page.

Requesting an ASL Interpreter or Speech-to-Text Services for Other Events

To request accommodations for any campus event, meeting or appointment, email the Interpreter Coordinator at stacy.roe@rrcc.edu one week prior to the event.  Be sure to include your name, your S number, name of the event, date and time of event, duration of event, location, and any other pertinent information. Every attempt will be made for short notice requests.

For questions contact the Interpreter Coordinator at stacy.roe@rrcc.edu, 303-914-6732 (V) or 720-336-3893 (VP).

Semester Request Form

In order for Accommodations Letters to be sent to instructors in a timely manner, this form is to be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the beginning of each semester. For Semester Request Forms that are submitted after the semester starts, Accommodations Letters will be sent out within 5 business days.

Please note that accommodations are not retroactive. Your accommodations will take effect immediately after your Accommodations Letter is issued.

Initial Meeting Forms

Before the initial meeting, we ask that two forms be filled out. If the meeting is in-person, the forms can be filled out in our office. If the meeting is over the phone or by Zoom, please fill these forms out prior to your initial meeting. 

The Disability Information Form is to be filled out by the licensed professional who diagnosed or is treating the student. This form provides Accessibility Services with information that will help determine accommodations and support. If you already have disability information such as an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), 504 Plan, or evaluation report, you do not need to complete the Disability Information Form.

For more information about the accommodations request process, please see the Student Information page.

Interpreting or Real-time Transcription Services

For class accommodations, submit your completed Semester Request Form at least three weeks prior to the first day of class.

To request an interpreter or transcriptionist for a one-time event, submit the following form or email all event information at least one week in advance to the Interpreter Coordinator at stacy.roe@rrcc.edu (link sends e-mail).

Disability Parking Permit Application

Temporary Disability Parking Permit Applications are available through the

Red Rocks Campus Police Department

Department Forms

Note: if you have a valid State-issued disability placard, you do not need to apply for a Red Rocks placard.

RRCC's Office of Disability Services is a member of the Rocky Mountain Coalition for Veteran Support Services. We work with other colleges to provide a wide range of services specifically designed to support students who are veterans of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. We work closely with the Denver Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Vet Center, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. On Campus we work closely with:

www.nationalmilitaryfamily.org (link is external)
www.va.gov (link is external)

Our Team

Jamie Carlton II

Disability Access Technologist
jamie.carlton@rrcc.edu
303-914-6735

Jean Kelly

Director
jean.kelly@rrcc.edu
303-914-6731

Dana Norris

Associate Registrar/COF/Residency
dana.norris@rrcc.edu

Christina Reyes

Disability Access Specialist
christina.reyes@rrcc.edu
303-914-6733

Stacy Roe

Interpreter Coordinator
stacy.roe@rrcc.edu
303-914-6732, VP-720-336-3893

Melanie Ambrose

Accessibility Advisor - Accessibility Services
melanie.ambrose@rrcc.edu