Center for Access and Accommodative Services (CAAS)

As a student begins the enrollment process at Triton College, they may notice that the accommodation process is quite a different experience than when they were in High School. This two-page handout provides a general overview of differences between high school and college.

High School v College

Step 1: Complete intake appointment with CAAS staff (in-person or virtually)
The CAAS Confidential Data Form will be completed at the intake appointment. Please bring disability documentation to this appointment. Acceptable documentation comes in the form of:

1. Documentation that the individual has had an individualized education program (IEP) in accordance with Section 614(d) of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
2. Documentation that the individual has received services or accommodations provided to the individual under a Section 504 plan and provided to the individual pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973
3. Documentation of a plan or record of service for the individual from a private school, a local educational agency, a State educational agency, or an institution of higher education
4. A record or evaluation from a relevant licensed professional finding that the individual has a disability. The CAAS Medical Disability Form or CAAS Psychiatric Disability Form can be completed and submitted by the licensed professional
5. A plan or record of disability from another institution of higher education
6. Documentation of a disability due to military service in the uniformed services

NOTE: Documentation of a medical condition and/or disability must be prepared by a licensed health care professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, social worker, medical doctor, etc.) who is not a family member.

Step 2: Activating accommodations
After the CAAS Data Form and documentation has been submitted and reviewed by the staffing team, the student will receive a message in their Triton email informing them of their approved accommodations. The email will include instructions detailing how to activate the accommodations. The student will need to do the following actions to activate their accommodations:

• Watch the online service training (link will be in the activation email)
• Complete a brief assessment of the service training
• Sign the accommodation agreement
• Fill out the Request for Services form for the current semester
• Complete any additional forms sent to you

After all forms and the assessment have been completed, the student will need to send the forms to the CAAS office to be processed. Forms can be submitted by email at caas@518331.com or in person in Room A-105. Accommodations are not retroactive so it is important to apply and activate accommodations as early as possible.

Step 3: Using accommodations

Professors for the courses the student listed on their Request for Services form will receive an email notifying them of the student’s approved accommodations. The student will need to inform their professors that they wish to use their approved accommodations.

Returning students must submit a Request for Services form each semester after registering for classes to activate their accommodations for the upcoming semester. If a student waits until after classes start to submit their request for services, the accommodations are in place from the date CAAS receives the completed form. Accommodations are not retroactively approved.

CAAS Request for Services
Returning students who want to use Otter must submit the Otter application and agreement each semester they wish to use the software.

Otter Application and Agreement
Students requesting a sign language interpreting service for meetings or events aside from classes need to submit an interpreter request form at least three days prior to the event. Students needing sign language interpreting for a class must notify CAAS three (3) weeks prior to the start of class.

Sign Language Interpreting Request Form

Possible testing accommodations include the following:

• Additional Testing Time
• Low Distraction Environment
• Tests Read Aloud
• Use of a Calculator
• Computer for Writing

Students may use their approved testing accommodations along with items approved by their professor.

Students are required to schedule all testing appointments at least 48 hours prior to the desired testing date and time. All Monday appointments must be submitted no later than 12 PM on Friday afternoon. All appointment request submitted when the office is closed will be processed on the next business day.

Student Testing Appointment Form

Please contact CAAS staff about services and policies related to:

• Campus Accessibility
• Sign Language Interpreting (including campus events)
• Service Animals
• Personal Attendants
• Alternate Format for Text Materials
• Voice-to-Text Services

All services are determined based on individual need and submitted documentation.  

Students who are interested in establishing academic accommodations may do so by filling out a CAAS Confidential Data form and submitting it with documentation of their disability and/or medical condition to the Center for Access and Accommodative Services in room A-105 or by email caas@518331.com.

Faculty and staff can refer students to CAAS by submitting the CAAS Referral Form.

CAAS Cards are no longer utilized. Students must submit a Request for Services form each semester they want to utilize their approved accommodations. Faculty are sent a memo by email detailing the approved accommodations for the student. Accommodations are not retroactively approved so students are encouraged to submit the Request for Services form prior to the start of the semester.

• CAAS Resource Guide for Faculty and Staff
• Faculty Testing Form Document

CAAS offers software to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students at Triton College to use to enhance learning. The software is offered free of charge.

Kurzweil (text to speech software)
Kurzweil can be used to have textbooks or printed material read aloud. To use Kurzweil, please complete the following steps:

1. Go to www.Kurzweil3000.com
2. Choose the “Log in with Microsoft” option
3. Use your Triton College credentials and complete any authenticator process as required.
4. You are all set; a link to the “getting started “and other guides/videos will be sent to your Triton email.

Scanners are available in the ETRC (A-314) and Library for individuals to use to scan any printed materials.

The Kurzweil account will remain active as long as an individual continues to attend Triton College. Students must have the approved accommodation of tests read aloud to use Kurzweil for exams.

Otter.ai (speech to text software)
Otter.ai can be used by faculty, staff, and enrolled students to record lectures or meetings. Students must submit the application and agreement each semester they want to use Otter.ai software. The application and agreement form must be submitted to caas@518331.com. Directions for Otter.ai are available HERE. 

For any difficulties or training with using Kurzweil or Otter.ai please contact CAAS staff. 

A student can apply for and activate their accommodations at any time. But remember, accommodations are not retroactively approved. 

Accommodations are individualized for the student based on their needs. During the intake, the student should be prepared to discuss accommodations they have used before and potential accommodations at Triton. Any disability documentation provided will be used in conjunction with the student intake to determine approved accommodations. Students are encouraged to speak with their instructors after reviewing the syllabus if they have any questions on how they can use their accommodations in the course. CAAS does provide support through one-on-one academic coaching to assist with:

• Accommodation support
• Study tips
• Time management
• Assistive technology

Each semester a student wants to use their approved accommodations, the student should complete the Request for Services form so CAAS staff can notify your professors of your approved accommodations.

Triton College offers tutoring to all students through the Academic Success Center located in A-100. Some programs may offer a dedicated tutoring for the subject area. Online, virtually, and in person tutoring is available through the Academic Success Center. 

The placement exam is not timed so students are encouraged to take their time. For students seeking an accommodation of using a calculator for the placement exam, the student must complete the application process under CAAS Services for New Students.

On average, it can take approximately 2 weeks for a student to be notified of their approved accommodations. In August and January it can take closer to 3 weeks.