Dallas College Brookhaven Campus academic success stories do not come easily. Every student faces different obstacles throughout their college years. Brookhaven Accessibility Services employees strive to ensure all students, including those with disabilities, are given an opportunity to succeed academically and personally with the help of Accessibility Services.
Accessibility Services are tailored to and accommodate individuals with disabilities. Students can find support for, but not limited to, physical, mental and learning disabilities. They offer accessibility tools to create an equal opportunity in class. These can include extra time on exams, a quiet room, note-taking assistance, readers or scribes for exams, audio recording on lectures, sign language interpreters, computer-aided real-time translation, assistive technology and more.
Brookhaven Accessibility Services also hold virtual workshops that help students with test-taking strategies, stress management, time management, strategies to succeed in an online class and more. Students can access this at any time from a laptop or any online device.
Brookhaven Campus Accessibility Services ensures that students with online classes receive the same support as face-to-face, on-campus students. Additionally, pregnant students and veterans can also benefit from the resources available to them. They just need to find out if they qualify.
Students must fill out an online application and provide proper and supporting documentation through the Dallas College website or file in person in the Accessibility Services office in the S Building. Once a student submits a request, a case manager will reach out and set up an appointment. This process helps each student receive support and accommodations based on their individual needs. Each semester, students must renew the accommodations, which can also be done online or in person.
With the right support, students can excel and prepare for their future careers. “Accessibility services has helped me with giving me accommodations for classes to help me not only succeed but give me peace of mind,” Elizabeth, a Dallas College student, who asked that her last name not be used, said. “They speak to your professors and advocate for you. They also have a Social Skills Group for people who have autism. It helps us learn about ourselves.”
This Social Skills Group focuses on building friendships, managing emotions and promoting respectful communication and understanding of social cues. Dallas College has hosted several events for Autism Awareness Month in April, including a virtual speaker series with Temple Grandin and campus fairs to raise awareness.
Killie Hickman, a case manager, said, “Come and talk to us, we keep conversations confidential.” Students are encouraged to visit and ask questions before making a decision to apply, Hickman said.
Some students may hesitate to ask for accommodations due to stigma or lack of awareness. Hickman said that Brookhaven recognizes that college can be a challenging journey for any student, but even harder for those with disabilities, as the obstacles can be even greater.
“We want students and staff and faculty to be aware,” Hickman said. “I think just general awareness is important and being able to know that students may face unique challenges and just being able to work together.”
Jamana Thmaide, an accessibility services assistant, said that Accessibility Services are always here for students with disabilities. “So, take advantage of those services, they’re here and we’ll do everything we can to make sure that they’re successful,” Thmaide said.
