Student Well-Being & Accessibility

Disability Support Services works with students and the campus community to create an inclusive and supportive college experience. Our office:

• Collaborates with students to determine eligibility for accommodations.
• Partners with community agencies, schools, and LMC faculty/staff to support students as they transition to and progress through college.
• Offers workshops and trainings on disability-related topics for students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Helps shape inclusive policies, procedures, and practices across the college.
• Supports Career and Technical Education (CTE) students through cost assistance, resources, and referrals under the Federal Perkins Grant.

Step 1: Connect with Us

Contact Disability Support Services to request an intake appointment. You can email us at dss@lakemichigancollege.edu, call (269) 927-8142, or complete this form.

Step 2: Meet with a Disability Resource Professional

During your intake appointment, you’ll meet one-on-one with a Disability Resource Professional to talk about your needs and goals. This is a supportive, interactive conversation where we’ll also review any documentation you may have (like a 504 Plan, IEP, or medical/mental health records). Don’t worry if you don’t have copies—we can help you request the information.

Step 3: Create Your Accommodation Plan

Together, you and your Disability Resource Professional will create a personalized Accommodation Plan that outlines the accommodations you’re eligible for (such as testing accommodations, note-taking support, or accessible course materials).

Step 4: Share with Your Instructors

If approved, you’ll receive an official accommodation letter. You’ll need to share this letter with each of your instructors at the start of every semester so they know how to best support you.

Getting Started with Documentation

Documentation helps us understand your needs and create the right Accommodation Plan. Examples include an IEP/504 Plan, medical or mental health records, or your own statement about how your disability affects your learning. If you don’t have paperwork, don’t worry, your Disability Resource Professional will help. Federal guidelines say documentation should be flexible and not burdensome, so our goal is to remove barriers, not create them.

Documentation Examples

If you need assistance with obtaining sufficient documentation, please review the relevant guidelines for documentation along with verification forms. These forms can be downloaded from our website below, or picked up from our office on the Benton Harbor campus. Completed paperwork can be faxed to 269.927.6536, emailed, or brought to our office on the Benton Harbor Campus.

Documentation for a Disability

1. High School Records: IEP, 504 Plan, or evaluation reports (these may give us helpful background, but we understand that high school and college are different).
2. Medical Documentation: A letter or report from a licensed healthcare provider describing your condition and its impact.
3. Mental Health Documentation: A letter or records from a licensed counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
4. Student Self-Report: Your own description of how your disability impacts learning and access — this is always an important part of the process.
5. Release of Information: If documentation isn’t available, you can sign a release form so we can request it directly.

What If I Don't Have Documentation?

Don’t worry if you don’t have records or reports. Your Disability Resource Professional will work with you to figure out next steps, which may include requesting documentation from your previous school, medical provider, or other sources. Your experience and self-report are always part of the conversation, so we can still help create an Accommodation Plan that meets your needs.

Remember: you don’t need to “prove” your disability all over again. Documentation is just one piece of the process, your lived experience is just as important.

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Lake Michigan College is committed to providing equitable access for students who use animals for disability-related support. There are two different categories of animals you may see on campus:

Service Animals

Service animals are dogs (and in some cases miniature horses) that are individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to a person’s disability (for example: guiding someone who is blind, alerting someone who is deaf, pulling a wheelchair, or recognizing a seizure). Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are allowed to accompany their handler in all areas of campus where the public is normally allowed. Students are not required to register their service animal with Disability Support Services, but doing so can help us provide additional support if needed.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

Emotional Support Animals provide comfort and support that can ease the impact of a disability. ESAs are different from service animals because they are not trained to perform specific tasks. At LMC, ESAs are generally only approved to live with you in campus housing and are not permitted in classrooms or other campus spaces.

If you believe an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) would support your well-being and access to housing, follow these steps:

Step 1:Connect with Disability Support Services (DSS).
Schedule an appointment with DSS to discuss your housing needs and begin the accommodation process.

Step 2: Gather documentation from a licensed healthcare provider.
Your provider (e.g., physician, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor) should write a letter that:

• Is on professional letterhead and includes their contact and licensing information.
• States that you have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
• Explains the relationship between your disability and the need for the ESA.
• Describes why the animal is necessary for you to fully use and enjoy your housing.

Step 3: Submit your accommodation request.

Provide the documentation to DSS, who will review your request and coordinate with Housing.

Step 4: Await review and approval.

DSS will notify you if any additional information is needed. Once approved, Housing will provide guidance on next steps for bringing your ESA into campus housing.

Step 5: Keep your ESA under control.

While ESAs do not require training, they must be well-behaved, safely housed, and under your control at all times.

Important Notes:

• An ESA is not a pet—it is an approved accommodation for a disability.
• Requests should be made as early as possible.
• If your ESA is an uncommon animal (not a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, or other small domesticated pet), additional documentation may be required.

Am I automatically eligible for services at Lake Michigan College if I received services in high school or at another school?

Not automatically. Disability services in college are governed by different laws than in high school. Even if you received accommodations elsewhere, you must disclose your disability and provide documentation to Disability Support Services at LMC. Your eligibility and accommodations will then be determined based on your current courses and needs.

I think I might have a learning disability, but I’ve never been tested. Can Disability Support Services help?

Yes! If you suspect you may have a learning-related disability, Disability Support Services is here to support you. Documentation is just one piece of the process, and we understand that not everyone has been formally tested. We can meet with you to talk through your experiences, provide guidance, and connect you with trusted resources to support your success.

If I’m approved for accommodations, will they stay the same the whole time I’m at LMC?

Not necessarily. Accommodations are tailored to how your disability impacts your specific courses and learning environment. They are reviewed and can be adjusted as your needs or course requirements change. While students are welcome to meet with Disability Support Services each year to review accommodations, an annual meeting is not required; accommodations are flexible and responsive to your current needs.

Does Disability Support Services provide tutoring?

Disability Support Services does not directly provide tutoring. However, free support is available on campus, including tutoring, writing assistance, math help, and guidance with study strategies.

How much information do I need to share with my instructors about my disability?

Your privacy is important. Disability Support Services is your main point of contact for all disability related information. If you’re approved for classroom accommodations, you’ll receive an accommodation plan to share with your instructors. This plan outlines your approved accommodations but does not disclose your diagnosis. You may choose to share additional details if you wish, but you are never required to do so.

Can Disability Support Services help if I have a temporary condition, like a broken leg?

Yes. Even for temporary conditions, you may qualify for accommodations (such as accessible furniture).

Legal Information & ADA Contact

Lake Michigan College is committed to providing equal access and opportunities for all students, in compliance with:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act (2008)
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability

ADA Coordinator Contact

If you have questions or concerns regarding ADA compliance or need to discuss accessibility issues on campus, you may contact:

Doug Schaffer
Vice President of Advancement & Community Impact / ADA Coordinator
Email: dschaffer@lakemichigancollege.edu
Phone: (269) 927-8120