Student Accessibility Services
Student Accessibility Services Statement of Commitment
The Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Office is committed to providing all students, including our distance education students, with equal access to quality education and providing reasonable accommodations to eligible students. In addition to serving as an advocate for students with disabilities, our office also works closely with faculty and staff to monitor students’ progress and encourage a positive educational experience.
Student Accessibility Services Overview
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Palo Alto College is committed to ensuring all programs, services, and facilities are accessible to and provide equal opportunities for education to all students. The Student Accessibility Services office coordinates accommodations for students with impairments that substantially limits one or more major life activities (walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, etc.) as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Full Academic Year Registration*
Beginning each April, students can register for the upcoming fall, spring, and summer terms simultaneously.
Student Accessibility Services is required to evaluate a request for accommodations each semester and will only accept and review submissions starting on the dates indicated below.
April 1st, Fall Semester requests for accommodations will be accepted.
November 1st, Spring Semester requests for accommodations will be accepted.
March 1st, Summer Semester requests for accommodations will be accepted.
Guidelines for Requesting Disability Services
*Allow up to 14 Business Days (Excludes Weekends and Holidays) After Submission to be Contacted by Student Accessibility Services Staff
Complete the Request for Disability Services for Class Accommodations form. To submit the Guardian form, you are required to attach the following:
- Documentation of disability is required for NEW requests
- RETURNING requests only need to be included if a newly added diagnosis needs to be documented
Here is a sample list of eligible documentation of disability:
- High School Special Education Records (504, IEP, ARD)
- Medical Record with Disability Diagnosis
- Mental Health Diagnosis
- Any Military/Veteran Records Stating Disability
- Any Other Supporting Documentation
- Documents can be scanned by using your Smart Device and attached
Once we have received your completed form and documents, we will contact you to review the next steps to secure an Intake Zoom/Phone Appointment at the phone number and/or email that is specified on your request form. Please be sure to check both.
For any questions, please call (210) 486-3020 or email pac-dss@powerorigin.net.
Complete the Request for Disability Services for Class Accommodations form. Please note extra time is not required for the TSI as it is an untimed test. To submit the Guardian form, you are required to attach the following:
- Documentation of disability is required for NEW requests
Here is a sample list of eligible documentation of disability:
- High School Special Education Records (504, IEP, ARD)
- Medical Record with Disability Diagnosis
- Mental Health Diagnosis
- Any Military/Veteran Records Stating Disability
- Any Other Supporting Documentation
- Documents can be scanned by using your Smart Device and attached
For the question, WHAT TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION ARE YOU REQUESTING, select TSI/Registration/Enrollment Steps Accommodation(s). Once we have received your completed form and documents, we will contact you to review the following steps to secure an Intake Zoom/Phone Appointment at the phone number and/or email specified on your request form. Please be sure to check both.
For any questions, please call (210) 486-3020 or email pac-dss@powerorigin.net.
Contact the Palo Alto College SAS Office via phone at 210-486-3020 or send an email from your student email account to pac-dss@powerorigin.net. Include your full name, Banner ID, and phone number in the email. The SAS Office will contact the student to acknowledge the schedule/class update.
To update your medical status, contact the Palo Alto College SAS Office via phone at 210-486-3020 or send an email from your student email account to pac-dss@powerorigin.net. Include your full name, Banner ID, and phone number in the email. You will need to provide additional disability documentation to support the change.
Alamo Colleges Form for Interpreting Services
The Interpreting Services Manager coordinates interpreting services and onboarding services to new students. To qualify for services, a student must provide documentation of verification of disability. An interview with the Interpreting Services Manager will begin the process. The link above will provide the form.
Dual Credit Students
The high school counselor will make accommodations for classes taken on high school campuses.
For online, dual credit classes taught by Palo Alto College faculty, please follow the How to Request Disability Services for Class Accommodations for New and Returning Students with Disabilities (on-campus and online).
Early College High School Students
For classes taken at Palo Alto College, please follow the How to Request Disability Services for Class Accommodations for New and Returning Students with Disabilities (on-campus and online).
Colleges are not authorized to release information about students to anyone, including parents without written consent from the student. The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 prohibits disclosure of a student’s information. If a student wants to give permission to parents/guardians, a completed FERPA Consent must be submitted.
A student must request Classroom Accommodations each semester enrolled by completing the Class Accommodations Form. Forms are processed in the order received.
The Letter of Accommodation (LOA) is the official document outlining the student’s approved reasonable accommodations. The LOAs are emailed to the student and the instructor at the same time through your Guardian portal in your ACES email account. Please check your Guardian portal in your ACES email for communication.
Accommodations are not retroactive. Accommodations begin the day the letter is emailed to the student and their Palo Alto College professor(s). It is the student’s responsibility to discuss and initiate his/her accommodations with each instructor and should continue throughout the semester.
Project Access is a unique program offered to individuals with documented intellectual disabilities. It is designed to support the student in accessing postsecondary education and developing skills for gainful employment. Curriculum completion is dependent on the student’s ability to complete the courses in a semester.
This is a cohort-based program with limited seats available per semester. There is a separate application process. For further questions, contact Cindy Cook, Sr. Coordinator for Student Accessibility Services, at 210-486-3020 or via email at cgibbs3@powerorigin.net.
Project Access Application Form (PDF)
Project Access Flyer (PDF)
Make-up/Distance Testing Checklist: SAS Form
Palo Alto College instructors must print this form to accompany the student's test, which will be proctored in the PAC Assessment & Testing Center in Ozuna 143.
Contact Information:
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Hours: Tuesday—Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Department Email: Location: |
Cindy Cook Phone: Email: |
Mako Ivory Phone: Email:
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Elizabeth Garcia Phone: |
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