Disability Resource Center expands

October 24, 2024

By Laura Southers

Columnist

The Disability Resource Center is vital to the ability of disabled students to navigate taking classes at Clackamas Community College. The DRC provides information to instructors about how to ensure student success.

Felicia Arce, the coordinator of the DRC, said at the end of fall term, “we had 600 accommodation requests. Fall 2024, it’s not over, but we already have 800-plus.” That’s a growth of more than 25% in five years. The DRC had a staff of two people, but after this growth, they welcomed a part-time staff member, Mar Markham, in May.

When I started at CCC in 2020 with a traumatic brain injury, I needed to submit a letter from my doctor stating that I had this condition, even though I had the injury for 18 years. Next in the process, I had an interview with Arce. 

Makayla Blackburn, the assistive technology specialist, said students get accommodations for various conditions. “Anything that’s neurological, psychological, physical, or emotional,” said Blackburn. “A lot of people are uncertain if anxiety, PTSD, or depression count. And yes, it very much does. Temporary conditions also apply. Maybe they broke their arm and only need accommodations for a little while.” 

DRC works with students to figure out what accommodations students need in the classroom. For example, they may need to record lectures or get help working with Moodle. My instructors get an email at the start of every term listing my accommodations. Most helpful to me have been extended exam time, extended due dates and a quiet area to take my exams. 

Over the span of a 10-week term, I have had to remind instructors of my need for written instructions. Other times, I’ve had to excuse myself from class to go to a place where I can have more time, because I don’t want students staring at me taking tests.

Blackburn said the DRC has “a lot of students with post-concussion disorder and traumatic brain injuries. I wish there were a better community built for these people to talk about what it is like to work through a TBI in college.” 

I have also wanted a support network myself, and after talking to Blackburn about this story, I am in the process of starting a club for students with any type of brain injury: traumatic, or acquired through stroke, concussion or otherwise.

I still need to find a staff adviser. Keep an eye out in “student clubs” under the “MyClackamas” heading.

If you want to reach the DRC, they’re available at drc@clackamas.edu or 503-594-6357. They are located in the Wachenco Welcome Center, one of the first offices on the right of the main entrance.