Student Access and Disability Services

A student in a wheelchair is working on a computer with her phone next to her

Services for students with disabilities.

Make an Appointment

Our Mission

We strive to create an inclusive campus, facilitate access for students with disabilities, and embrace diverse perspectives on disability.

Students may request accommodations for many disabilities. If you're unsure whether your disability falls under the listed areas, contact us to discuss possible services and support.

Request Accommodations at ECC: Ensuring Equal Access for All Students

Elgin Community College's Student Access and Disabilities Services Office supports student success and retention through various opportunities and accommodations. The office advocates for a universally accessible environment by reducing physical, electronic, and social barriers. This ensures students with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed.

New ECC Students

Follow These Steps to Get Started

If you have not yet met with a specialist in our office and need accommodations, please complete the steps below as soon as possible to schedule an intake appointment.

  1. Complete your application to attend ECC. Apply to Elgin Community College (ECC).
  2. Once submitted, wait to receive your ECC ID via email.
  3. If you have a disability in these areas, please complete the Student Access and Disabilities Services Registration Form.
  4. Upload any disability documentation directly to the Registration Form.
  5. After you submit the Registration Form, our Administrative Assistant will contact you via email to schedule an intake appointment using your ECC student account. Questions? Call 847-214-7717 or email sds@elgin.edu.
  6. Attend your intake appointment. During the appointment, a Student Access & Disability Services professional will:
    • Review your documentation
    • Discuss how your disability affects you
    • Determine your eligibility for accommodations
  7. If you're eligible, the specialist will explain how to request accommodation letters for your classes.

Registration Form

Returning ECC Students

Renew Your Accommodations Each Semester

If you’ve previously received accommodations at ECC, you must request them again every semester. This ensures your instructors are notified of your approved accommodations.

Please follow the steps below as soon as possible, ideally before the semester begins:

How to Request Accommodations

  1. Complete the Accommodation Request Form.
  2. Log in with your ECC username and password.
  3. Select the accommodations you need for each of your classes.
  4. Click submit to send your request.
  5. Once submitted, we will send your accommodation letter to your instructor(s) on the next business day.

Request Form

Types of Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are intended to ensure equal access for students with disabilities. Each accommodation is determined on an individual basis, so not all accommodations will apply to every student.

Examples of accommodations include (but are not limited to):

  • Accessible versions of textbooks and course materials*
  • Accessible classroom furniture
  • Adaptive computer hardware or software
  • Assistive technology devices*
  • Captioning services*
  • Extended time for tests and/or a quiet testing location
  • Extensions on assignments
  • Flexibility with attendance
  • Note-taking assistance or permission to record lectures
  • Preferential seating
  • Sign language interpreters*
  • Test readers or scribes

*Some accommodations may require advanced coordination or specialized services.

Please contact the Student Access and Disabilities Services Office at least six weeks before the semester begins so we have time to put accommodations in place.

Accessibility Information Sessions

Available Dates & Times

Please call 847-214-7717 or email sds@elgin.edu for more information.

Full Calendar

Request Sign Language Interpreting and Captioning Services

Request Services

Apply to be a Peer Notetaker

Notetaker Application

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students registered with the Student Access and Disabilities Services Office have rights.

Learn about your rights

ADA/Section 504 Compliance

Elgin Community College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that no students, employees, visitors, or other beneficiaries of the ADA encounter discrimination on the basis of their disability. All college facilities, services, and programs must be accessible to students, employees, and visitors with disabilities unless doing so would be an undue burden to the college. ECC can provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities for successful entrance into and completion of courses, but students should note that the college is not required to, nor should it, compromise on program admissions or essential course requirements. Qualified students with disabilities must contact the Student Access and Disabilities Services Office to request reasonable accommodations.

ECC Neurodiversity Statement

Neurodiversity reflects the range of individual differences in brain function and behavioral presentation, which is part of the expected variation of people. Elgin Community College (ECC) recognizes neurodivergence among its students, faculty, staff, trustees, administration, and community and values their unique perspectives, approaches, strengths, talents, and myriad contributions to our diverse community. Accordingly, ECC embraces “neurodiversity” as a core component in its mission to “improve people’s lives through learning.”

Committed to principles, policies, and practices of inclusion, equity, and justice, ECC will utilize existing and develop additional resources to:

  1. cultivate a more inclusive and supportive learning and operating environment,
  2. continue to integrate accessibility measures,
  3. implement Universal Design principles that will benefit all individuals, and
  4. overall, enrich the experiences of all members of our institution and community.

Report an Accessibility Barrier

Report a physical or digital barrier to access, a general incident, or discrimination because of your disability.

File a Report

Contact

Student Access and Disability Services

Building B, Room B105/B125
847-214-7717
Fax: 847-608-5479
sds@elgin.edu

Contact Us

Hours
Monday through Thursday: 8 am to 5 pm
Friday: 8 am to 4 pm