Services for Students with Disabilities
Services for Students with Disabilities
The Services for Student’s with Disabilities Office (SSD) coordinates support services for students with disabilities and assists in providing a successful educational experience while attending Columbia College Chicago. The SSD Office strives to provide the most integrated and appropriate accommodations in classes, programs and activities for students with disabilities and the SSD Office seeks to empower students’ personal and academic success, encouraging them to become independent and self-reliant.
These disabilities may include (but are not limited to):
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder
- Learning Disability
- Communication Disorders
- Psychological Disabilities
- Deafness/Hard-of-Hearing (see also Interpreting Services)
- Blindness/Visual Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
Location
33 E. Congress Blvd. (Rear of Writing Center) (312) 369-8296
Mailing Address: 600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605-1996
Fax: (312) 369-8005
Staff
Sandra K. Saunders, M.A., Assistant Director of SSD
Phone: (312) 369-8134
Email: ssaunders@colum.edu
Cuong Chau, Coordinator of SSD
Phone: (312) 369-8126
Email: cchau@colum.edu
Duriyah Wilborn, Interim Coordinator of Interpreting Services
Phone: (312) 369-8295/V, (312) 369-8178/TTY
Email: dwilborn@colum.edu
Assistant to the Coordinator of SSD
Phone: 312-369-8296
Email: ssd@colum.edu
What kind of accommodations are available for students with disabilities?
- Letter for faculty regarding accommodations
- Note-taking
- Permission to tape-record lectures
- Extended time for exams and quizzes
- Sign-language interpreters (see also Interpreting Services)
- Private testing room
- Preferential seating
- Others
- It is recommended that all students with disabilities provide documentation to SSD, even if they do not choose to request any services.
- Providing documentation enables SSD staff to act more efficiently and knowledgeably on students' behalf, should the need arise and should students request this.
How do I start receiving services?
- A good starting point is to contact the SSD Office at (312) 369-8296.
- Students must provide documentation to Sandra Saunders, Columbia's Disabilities Coordinator, and request services in order to start receiving them.
- Please also see Right and Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities.
What are the documentation guidelines?
- Please review the documentation guidelines to learn about the types of information that must be submitted to be considered eligible for services through SSD.
- Make sure to read the general guidelines and specific guidelines related to your disability.