Accessibility Services

Embracing Diversity: Supporting Accessibility for All

Disability is a natural part of human diversity and an important part of society, including at Hawkeye Community College. We work with students, teachers, and staff members to make sure all students have equal opportunities and access to education. That’s where accommodations come in!

So, what exactly is an accommodation? It's a change that helps students with disabilities have the same access to classes, materials, activities, resources, and campus facilities as everyone else.

Anyone with a physical or mental condition that makes it hard to do important daily activities can get accommodations.

How to Get Started with Accommodations

Reach out to Student Accessibility Services to kick off the process of finding the right accommodations. They can help you start finding the right accommodations that fit your needs. When making decisions, they'll consider your personal story, any past accommodations you've had, and any supporting documents about your disability.

These accommodations are meant to ensure you have equal access to your education. They won't make your classes easier, give you an unfair advantage, or change what's expected in your program.

To get started with accommodations, complete the Student Accommodations Request Form and include documentation from a qualified professional—like a doctor, school psychologist, or another evaluator—who can verify your condition. That documentation should:

  • Clearly state your disability
  • Explain how it affects your daily life and schoolwork
  • Suggest the kinds of support you might need
  • Be up-to-date

Next, schedule an intake meeting with Student Accessibility Services. This meeting gives you a chance to learn how the accommodations process works, share your health and learning history, and talk through any concerns you have.

During the meeting, you may also complete forms for extra services, like recording software or noise-cancelling headphones.

Plan to meet with Student Accessibility Services each year to keep your accommodations current!

After your meeting, the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator will decide on your accommodations based on what you discussed and the documents you provided.

You’ll get your Accommodations Letter sent to your Hawkeye email.

You’ll need to share your accommodations letter with your instructors. Communicating with them ensures your accommodations are set up on time and tailored to your needs.

Remember—you'll need to do this each semester.

We offer a range of accommodations to support you in your studies. These accommodations are designed to help you succeed by giving you the tools and resources you need.

Here are some examples of accommodations that might be helpful for you:

  • Digital/Audio textbooks
  • Extended testing time
  • Access to Power Points
  • Tests read aloud
  • Individual setting for testing
  • Recording lectures
  • Sign language interpreters
  • Captioning
  • Option to take breaks
  • Speech-to-Text software

Frequently Asked Questions

The Student Accessibility Services Coordinator will send your accommodations letter to your Hawkeye email. It’s your job to forward that letter to your instructors. If you don’t share it, they won’t know you have accommodations.

Nope! You can give your accommodations letter to your instructor anytime during the semester. But keep in mind that accommodations can’t be applied retroactively, so it’s a good idea to share the letter early on.

Not at all! If you choose not to use your accommodations, just let the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator know.

Yes, you can choose which classes you want to use your accommodations in. It’s up to you!

If that happens, just contact the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator for help.

That’s okay! You can reach out to the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator to talk about adjusting your accommodations.

If you haven’t started the exam yet, get in touch with your instructor and the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator right away. Don’t start the exam until you hear back.

If you notice after you’ve begun or finished the exam, reach out to the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator as soon as possible to discuss what to do next.

No, you’ll need to go through Hawkeye's application process for accommodations and meet with the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator to see what accommodations you might need.

Yes! You don’t need a previous IEP or 504 plan to receive accommodations at Hawkeye. Just meet with the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator to talk about your situation and see what you might qualify for.

Definitely! If you have a temporary impairment, reach out to the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator for assistance.

Pregnant students should connect with the Student Accessibility Services Coordinator to learn about their rights and find out what accommodations might be available.

Facility Accessibility

We want to make sure everyone can access our facilities. Most of our main campus buildings are designed to be accessible, but there are a couple that can’t be fully modified. Don’t worry, though! We’ve come up with some solutions to ensure you can still access the services and activities in those buildings.

Access Facilities

Hawkeye complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, respective amendments and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

Contact Us

Student Accessibility Services

Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 208
319-296-4014
Email Student Accessibility Services

Hawkeye utilizes Relay Iowa, a telecommunications service providing full telephone accessibility to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or speech impaired.

Regular Hours — Fall 2025

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM