DSS Remote Operations
DSS is currently offering services to students remotely or in person by appointment only during our regular business hours of Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monitor your email and the MC COVID-19 page for further information. Stay healthy!
To request accommodations for the first time, students identify with DSS by completing the online intake form. The DSS office will contact you via phone to arrange an initial intake with a DSS Counselor. Your appointment will be conducted through one or more of the following options:
- Video appointments: This video option will allow the DSS Counselor to visually share information. Prior to your appointment, you will receive an email that will provide a link to your scheduled appointment. It is important that you have reliable internet service. This is a great option if you would prefer a visual experience.
- Phone appointments: On the day of your appointment, your assigned DSS counselor will contact you at the phone number your provided in the appointment scheduling process.
- In-person appointments: Are available on a limited basis by appointment only and must adhere to safety protocols:
- If it is necessary to bring a family member, aide, or other assistant please inform us when scheduling the appointment.
- Face coverings (masks) that cover your mouth and nose are encouraged for all individuals who visit DSS. Counselors may request that you wear a mask if meeting with them in person.
- Before coming to DSS, assess your own health for new symptoms: fever (100.4 F or higher), chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. If you feel unwell, please do not come to our office. Please contact us to reschedule the appointment.
- Remember to monitor your MC email in case we need to contact you before your appointment.
If you need an accommodation during your appointment with us (i.e., sign language interpreter, documents in braille or large print) please let us know when you schedule your appointment.
Your assigned DSS counselor will assist you with initial academic planning, identify access barriers and concerns, and discuss appropriate classroom and testing accommodations at the college level. Be sure to complete initial enrollment steps to the College. To prepare for the intake, think about your goals at Montgomery College, accommodations that you have used in the past, and accommodations you may need in college. Write down any specific questions you have for your DSS counselor. If you did not upload disability documentation when completing the intake form, you can email your documentation to dss@montgomerycollege.edu.
The intake is our first step in getting to know you. The DSS counselor will explain their role and how they will assist you in your journey at Montgomery College. DSS counselors are trained professionals in general counseling and advising and disability concerns. They can guide you in choosing a major, developing an initial academic plan, and referring you to college and community resources. They will also play a critical role in establishing your accommodations in this setting. By the end of the intake, specific accommodations will be identified and the DSS counselor will review the process for receiving accommodations in your classes. If your appointment is in-person, you must follow the safety guidelines listed above.
You will receive your accommodation letter in your Montgomery College email. You
must provide a copy of this letter to each instructor and discuss the accommodation
arrangements with each instructor. During remote operations, this will be done through
email, phone, or a Zoom meeting. You must request accommodations every semester by
completing the Request for Services Form (PDF, ) . More details on this are in the Returning Students section.
It is important that you keep in contact with your DSS counselor throughout the semester. They are a resource for you through the ups and downs of the college experience. They can assist you with academic planning, accommodation concerns, and academic and personal challenges. Successful students initiate contact early and often.
Current students who have already established accommodations with our office can contact their DSS counselor directly via email to schedule an appointment. If you have general questions or do not know who your DSS counselor is, email dss@montgomerycollege.edu.
- Video appointments: This video option will allow the DSS Counselor to visually share information. Prior to your appointment, you will receive an email that will provide a link to your scheduled appointment. It is important that you have reliable internet service. This is a great option if you would prefer a visual experience.
- Phone appointments: On the day of your appointment, your assigned DSS counselor will contact you at the phone number your provided in the appointment scheduling process.
- In-person appointments: Are available on a limited basis by appointment only and must adhere to safety protocols:
- Do not bring guests to your appointment. If it is necessary to bring an aide or other assistant, please inform us when scheduling the appointment.
- Face coverings (masks) that cover your mouth and nose are required for all individuals who are indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.
- Before coming to MC, assess your own health for new symptoms: fever (100.4 F or higher), chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. Complete the daily COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment new windowon the day of your appointment.
- Remember to monitor your MC email in case we need to contact you before your 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 Tutoring Support
Tutoring and organizational supports are offered virtually or in person by appointment only during our regular business hours of Monday-Friday, 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m. Please reach out to the campus contact below to arrange a tutoring session:
- Germantown Campus: Renee Gisriel, renee.gisriel@montgomerycollege.edu
- Rockville Campus: Lori Ulrich, lori.ulrich@montgomerycollege.edu
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: Lindsey Madden, lindsey.madden@montgomerycollege,edu
Using Accommodations During Remote Learning
DSS offers several options for note-taking: peer note-taking, digital recorder, access to instructor's PowerPoints or lecture notes, or Livescribe pen.
Peer note-taking is available remotely. Audio recording of lectures should continue without interruption.
DSS communicated with instructors on how to provide materials for formatting. You will be provided access to Kurzweil 3000 software to test from your remote location. Depending on how your instructor is delivering the exam, we will contact you directly with specific instructions on how to use Kurzweil 3000 remotely.
Students who use JAWS or enlarged text can use their preferred screen reader or screen magnifier. Reach out to the appropriate campus contact below if you have questions about using assistive technology remotely:
- Germantown Campus: Renee Gisriel, renee.gisriel@montgomerycollege.edu
- Rockville Campus: Jillian Pfau, jillian.pfau@montgomerycollege.edu
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: Lindsey Madden, lindsey.madden@montgomerycollege,edu
Your instructor may use Examity Test Proctoring Services, an online proctoring service. This requires specific technical requirements. If you are using assistive technology testing accommodations, please reach out to the appropriate campus contact if your professor plans to use Examity:
- Germantown Campus: Renee Gisriel, renee.gisriel@montgomerycollege.edu
- Rockville Campus: Jillian Pfau, jillian.pfau@montgomerycollege.edu
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: Lindsey Madden, lindsey.madden@montgomerycollege,edu