Faculty Toolbox

Faculty, the Office for Students with Disabilities is here for you!

We’re Not Just For Students

The entire Office for Students with Disabilities team is available to support you as you transition your course(s) both on campus and online. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us via phone, email, or simply stop by:

• East Region : (407) 582-2229 or osdeast@valenciacollege.edu
• West Region : (407) 582-1523 or osdwest@valenciacollege.edu
• Osceola Region : (407) 582-4167 or osdosc@valenciacollege.edu

Our process has changed a little, however, we are still providing accommodations and services to the Valencia community.

Student Registration Process

We have transitioned to a fully remote registration process for students interested in receiving accommodation. Students who are interested in services can use the following steps:

• (Optional) Contact one of our representatives to discuss disability and services available via the OSD. Our offices can be reached at:
  • East Region : (407) 582-2229 or osdeast@valenciacollege.edu
  • West Region : (407) 582-1523 or osdwest@valenciacollege.edu
  • Osceola Region : (407) 582-4167 or osdosc@valenciacollege.edu
• Submit documentation of a disability in MyVC
  • Login to MyVC and search for “Office for Students with Disabilities Document Upload Form”
• Meet with an OSD representative via phone or video conference
• Accommodation letters are issued via email

Requesting Letters of Accommodation

Students are still required to request a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) for every course they want to use approved accommodations. Students can request their letters online via our letter of accommodation request form here.

Accommodation Letter Delivery

The Office for Students with Disabilities distributes student Letters of Accommodation via Valencia's case management software, Maxient. These letters are sent directly to students, with a copy (Cc:) to their respective faculty member. The distribution process for the upcoming term will begin at the conclusion of the current term. We ask that faculty be on the lookout for Letters of Accommodation from Maxient. Due to the letters being generated and sent through Maxient, emails will appear to originate from an external source, specifically notifications@maxient.com. To access and retain a local copy of the letter for record-keeping purposes, faculty members must click on the link provided within the email. The link is active for 180 days.

Delivering Accommodations in the Online Environment

Though some accommodations, like additional time on exams, use of a calculator, and permission to take breaks, easily translate online, some, like preferential seating, do not. Some students, especially those with sensory barriers (such as deafness and blindness), may require other accommodations, such as a live reader and note taker. If these accommodations are necessary, OSD will provide the personnel to support these students. We will reach out to you to discuss how we can work together to accommodate the student.

Unique Accommodations

Some students may require additional considerations due to the nature of their disabilities. Their requests may be so unique that there are concerns that it could impact the outcomes of your course. Any accommodation of this nature will have an additional information on the letter of accommodation explaining the request and asking you to contact our office to discuss it further.

Alternative Format Materials

Some students are eligible for alternative format materials. Alternative format materials allow students to have access to material in a different form than it is delivered to the rest of the course. Traditionally, this involves providing students with electronic copies of the material so that it can be accessed via special software called a screen reader. As many courses have now shifted online, your course material may already be in an accessible format. We encourage you to contact Steven Costa, the College’s Assistive Technology Specialist, at scosta3@valenciacollege.edu or (407) 582-1005, if you see this accommodation on a student’s letter of accommodation and need to discuss it in detail.

Students may also request their books in alternative format by using this link. The Office for Students with Disabilities team will oversee the production of alternative format materials needed for your course.

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