- Home
- counseling & advising
- Disability Support Services
- DSS Remote Operations
DSS Remote Operations
DSS is currently offering services to students remotely during our regular business hours of Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monitor your email and the MC Coronavirus Website 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. During this period of remote services, your appointment will be conducted through one or more of the following virtual options:
- Phone appointments: On the day of your appointment, your assigned DSS counselor will contact you at the phone number you provided in the appointment scheduling process.
- 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.
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.
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 a virtual appointment. If you have general questions or do not know who your DSS counselor is, email dss@montgomerycollege.edu.
- Phone appointments: On the day of the appointment, your DSS counselor will contact you at the phone number you provided when scheduling the appointment.
- Video appointments: The 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.
Returning students can request accommodations/services by completing the Request for Services form (PDF, ) at least two 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. Email the completed Request for Services form, using your Montgomery College email, to one of the following:
- Germantown Campus: DSSlettersGT@montgomerycollege.edu
- Rockville Campus: DSSlettersRV@montgomerycollege.edu
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: DSSlettersTPSS@montgomerycollege.edu
- Online Classes/Classes at Multiple Campuses: dss@montgomerycollege.edu
DSS Tutoring Support
Tutoring and organizational supports are offered virtually, by appointment 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: Contact Rockville or Takoma Park/Silver Spring coordinator.
- Rockville Campus: Lori Ulrich, lori.ulrich@montgomerycollege.edu
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: Renee Gisriel, renee.gisriel@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: Contact Rockville or Takoma Park/Silver Spring representative.
- Rockville Campus: Jillian Pfau, jillian.pfau@montgomerycollege.edu
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: Renee Gisriel, renee.gisriel@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: Contact Rockville or Takoma Park/Silver Spring representative.
- Rockville Campus: Jillian Pfau, jillian.pfau@montgomerycollege.edu
- Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus: Renee Gisriel, renee.gisriel@montgomerycollege.edu