Disability Services

• Disability Rights

  A person with a disability is defined as any person who has a physical or mental impairment that impacts one or more major life activities. Disabilities include, but are not limited to, AIDS, blindness, cancer, cerebral palsy, diabetes, epilepsy, head injuries, hearing disabilities, specific learning disabilities, loss of limb(s), multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, emotional disabilities, speech disabilities, spinal cord injuries, and vision disabilities.

  The rights of individuals with disabilities are protected by

  • Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
  • ADA Amendments Act of 2008

  No college or university may discriminate in the recruitment, admission, educational process, or treatment of students.

  To receive accommodations, students must register with Disability Services and provide documentation. An interactive process is used to approve accommodations. Eligible students will be entitled to approved program modifications, academic adjustments, or auxiliary aids that allow them to complete educational programs and activities.

• Registering with Disability Services

  To start registering with us, please fill out the Student Intake Form. You can attach your documentation to the form.

  Student Intake Form

  Please allow up to 1 week for your intake form to be processed. A Disability Services Specialist will contact you using your Joliet Junior College student Outlook email. Please refer to this JJC email for the next steps to complete your registration.

• Documentation Requirements

  Documentation must identify the disability and how it affects you. 

  All documentation must be completed by a licensed health care provider such as a medical doctor, physician's assistant, psychiatrist, psychologist, optometrist, social worker, etc. Please note that the health care provider cannot be related to the student.

  We will consider the following documentation:

  • An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504
    • You can request your IEP or 504 from your high school. These records do not automatically transfer with your transcripts.
    • We request the 3-year, re-evaluation and/or psychological report. This is usually done during your sophomore or junior year of high school.
    • The following information should be included:
      • Diagnosis.
      • Explanation of academic, emotional, or social obstacles.
      • Accommodations used in high school.
         
  • Disability Documentation Form. Please visit our office if you need a hard copy of the form.
     

                    Disability Documentation Form

  • Letter from Health Care Professional
    • Health care professionals can provide a written letter with a diagnostic statement identifying the disability, the date of diagnosis, and recommendations for accommodations.
    • The letter must be on letterhead, typed,  and signed by the credentialed professional. It also must include the name, title, license number, address, phone number, and signature of the professional.
       
  • For deaf or hard of hearing students, we prefer an audiological report from a licensed audiologist verifying the degree of hearing sensitivity. The IEP or 504 documentation would also be considered.

• Accommodations

  How do you get approved for accommodations?

  Please complete the Student Intake Form to request accommodations for classes and/or placement tests. You can submit your documentation using this form.

  Student Intake Form

  Please allow up to 1 week for your intake form to be reviewed and processed. A Disability Services Specialist will contact you using your student Joliet Junior College Outlook email. Please refer to this JJC email for the next steps to complete your registration.

  What to Know about Placement Testing Accommodations

  We provide placement test accommodations.

  All placement tests are untimed. So, the extended time for testing accommodation is not applicable.

  Each test can be taken separately or back to back. You can find placement testing information on the Testing Services website.

  If you are requesting other accommodations, please complete our intake form.

  What to Know about Accommodations for Classes

  We provide accommodations for students enrolled in JJC classes. We will meet with you and use an interactive process for accommodation approval. Submit our intake form to get started.

   

• Academic Coaching

  We provide academic coaching for students in JJC classes. We can meet with you one-on-one to help with:

  • Study tips
  • Time management
  • Chunking assignments
  • Technology
  • Accommodation support

• Mission Statement

  Disability Services at Joliet Junior College is committed to providing students with disabilities an equal access to an education. Disability Services determines reasonable accommodations by using an interactive process with each student. Furthermore, Disability Services values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation by providing an accessible experience for all students, staff, faculty, and community members.

Grievance Procedure

Joliet Junior College has created a grievance procedure which provides students an opportunity for a prompt and fair resolution of ADA or Section 504 grievances. These procedures are for students who feel that they have been discriminated or harassed on the basis of disability by any member of the campus community including students, faculty, staff, employment and admission applicants, vendors, contractors, and third parties.

• Mediation with Disability Services

  Initially in an effort to reach resolution, students should address their concern with the Manager of Disability Services.

  In cases where the manager is involved in the allegations or when this process is not successful, the grievance form can be submitted to the ADA Coordinator via the online grievance form, by email, or by phone.

  Student Grievance Form - Disability Services

  Angela Kaysen-Luzbetak
  Compliance Officer and ADA/504 Coordinator
  Room: A-1137
  Email: compliance@jjc.edu
  Phone: 815-280-2885

• Student Grievance Form - Disability Services

  Joliet Junior College is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, martial status, sexual orientation, disability, unfavorable military discharge, or any other unlawful basis in its admission, employment, educational programs, and activities.

  In accordance with the requirements of Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Joliet Junior College will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. JJC does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

  The College has created a grievance procedure which provides students an opportunity for a prompt and fair resolution of ADA or Section 504 grievances. These procedures are for students who feel that they have been discriminated or harassed on the basis of disability by any member of the campus community including students, faculty, staff, employment and admission applicants, vendors, contractors, and third parties.

  The objective of the grievance procedure is resolution and a key component to a resolution is communication.

  Initially in an effort to reach resolution, students should address their concern with the Manager of Disability Services. In cases where the manager is involved in the allegations or when this process is not successful, the grievance can be submitted to the ADA Coordinator via the grievance form, by email or by phone.

  All ADA complaints will be submitted through the grievance form to the Manager of Disability Services and will copy in the ADA Coordinator. If the grievance is directed against the Manager of Disability Services, the form will be routed only to the ADA Coordinator.

  Student Grievance Form - Disability Services

  Angela Kaysen-Luzbetak
  Compliance Officer and ADA/504 Coordinator
  Room: A-1147
  Email: compliance@jjc.edu
  Phone: 815-280-2885

• Office of Civil Rights

  If the complaint cannot be resolved by Joliet Junior College, you may choose to file a complaint with the Federal Office of Civil Rights.

  Office of Civil Rights
  Chicago Office 
  U.S. Department of Education
  John C. Kluczynski Federal Building
  230 S. Dearborn Street
  37th Floor
  Chicago, IL 60604

  Phone: 312-730-1560

  Fax: 312-730-1576

  Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov