DSS Student Information and Resources
DSS provides comprehensive services including counseling and advising, accommodations and academic adjustments, assistive technology, and tutoring. Accommodations are determined on a case by-case basis and may include extended time, note-taking assistance, sign language interpreting services, and alternative formats for printed materials.
Each campus offers assistive technology, including computers with disability-specific software and hardware, voice recognition and synthesizers, print magnifiers and scanners, large print, and Braille, as well as individual tutorial support.
- Complete the online student intake form using your Montgomery College Student ID number.
- You may upload a scanned PDF copy of your documentation. If you do not have a scanned copy, complete the form and click Submit. You may bring paper copies of your documentation to your initial intake appointment with a DSS counselor.
- DSS will review your information and contact you to schedule an initial intake appointment.
Returning students can request accommodations/services by completing a Semester Requestnew window at least 2 weeks before the start of the semester to ensure timely services. Requests should be made before the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer semesters. Fall and Spring letters cover the first and second bi-term of each semester. Summer letters cover both Summer I and Summer II sessions.
Requests for accommodations and services will be processed as rapidly as possible if submitted after the deadline.
This form is for Returning DSS students only. If you have not identified to DSS or worked with a DSS counselor at MC before, please apply for servicesnew window or contact the main DSS office at 240-567-5058.
- Video instructions about how to complete a Semester Requestnew window are available herenew window.
- Step-by-step written instructions about how to complete a Semester Requestnew window are available here (PDF,
) . NOTE: It is important that you only create one semester request at a time. For
example: if you are taking courses in Winter and Spring please create a Winter request
and wait until you receive your Winter letter before creating your Spring request. - If you are unable to complete the online Semester Requestnew window, please email dss@montgomerycollege.edu or call us at 240-567-5058 during regular business hours.
- If requesting accommodations other than those from the previous semester, please make an appointment to see your counselor.
- Once your Semester Requestnew window is reviewed, your Accommodation Letter will be created and emailed to your Montgomery College email.
- During the first or second week of classes, deliver and discuss your Accommodations Letter with your instructors to make arrangements for your authorized accommodationsnew window. You are responsible for delivering the letter to each of your professors.
DSS utilizes an interactive process in determining accommodations for each student. DSS counselors advise students and provide academic, career, and short-term personal counseling. They determine and facilitate appropriate academic and technological accommodations, act as liaisons with College resources and external agencies and consultants, and provide referral services for students with disabilities. DSS faculty and staff assist in arranging support services within the framework of student self-determination and self-advocacy.
Accommodations are based on the impact of the disability, course standards and requirements, and are determined based on the interactive process. The following are examples of accommodations. For additional information please refer to the DSS Student Guide or discuss with a DSS counselor.
- Access to class notes
- Allow recording of class
- Alternative to Scantron/Ability to write directly on the test
- Calculator
- Captioned videos, films, and online media
- Double time
- Flexibility with attendance
- Preferential seating
- Reduced distraction testing environment
- Scribe for exams
DSS counselors provide academic, career, and short-term personal counseling and advising. For major-specific advising, students are referred to program advisors as appropriate.
Long-term personal counseling and crisis resources are available on the Personal Counselingnew window page.
Have questions about what documentation will best help determine the appropriate accommodations and services? Visit the Documentation Guidelinesnew window page.
Montgomery College does not provide diagnostic or evaluative testing for learning disabilities or ADD/ADHD. Visit the Testing for Learning Disabilities & Attention Deficit Disorder new windowpage to see local agencies and resources that can assist in this process.
) has detailed information for new and returning students.