About CCD Accessibility Center · Denver
The CCD Accessibility Center (AC) is the office at the Community College of Denver (CCD) that coordinates disability services and reasonable accommodations for currently enrolled CCD students. Located in Room 121 of the Confluence Building on the Auraria Campus (800 Curtis Street, Denver, CO), the AC administers accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, as amended in 2008) and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Its mission is to provide leadership and facilitate equal access to institutional opportunities so students with disabilities can develop independence, self-advocacy skills, and academic and professional success. The center handles intake meetings, accommodation letters, accommodated test scheduling, and an on-site Assistive Technology (AT) Lab.
The Accessibility Center is a department within the Community College of Denver (CCD), a public community college founded by the Colorado Legislature in 1967 and part of the Colorado Community College System. CCD is the third largest institution in that system and shares the 150-acre Auraria Higher Education Center in downtown Denver with Metropolitan State University of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. The AC supports students with documented disabilities — including ADD/ADHD, bipolar disorder, cerebral palsy, deaf/hard of hearing, depression, epilepsy, generalized anxiety, learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, orthopedic conditions, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and blind/visual impairment — through an intake process, accommodation letters distributed each semester, accommodated testing, an assistive-technology lab, and case-management support from Accessibility Specialists. To receive services, students contact the office, submit intake forms and disability documentation (IEP, 504 Plan, private-school record, tribal-organization record, state-agency record, military-service record, or medical professional letterhead), and then attend an intake meeting (which can be held virtually). Accommodations are customized and can include ASL interpreting, note-taking supports, alternative-format materials, extended time and breaks on exams, alternate testing location, reader/scribe, assignment extensions, ADA furniture, priority classroom seating, faculty consultation, and access to the Campus Accessibility Shuttle (CAS). The AC also connects students to broader CCD supports such as the EXCEL! Zone, Tutoring, Writing Center, Math & Science Zone, Digital Zone, SPARC, the Swooper Market Food Pantry, the Counseling Center, Housing, Childcare, and Veteran Services.
- Owner
- Operated by Community College of Denver (CCD); part of the Colorado Community College System. CCD's current president is Marielena DeSanctis.
- Serves
- Community College of Denver (CCD) students on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver, Colorado; also supports CCD students taking classes at other higher education institutions who complete the intake process with CCD's AC, and CCD North / Lowry Campus students
Mission & Legal Foundation
The Accessibility Center exists to provide leadership and facilitate equal access for students with disabilities at the Community College of Denver, helping them develop independence, self-advocacy skills, and academic and professional success. The office determines reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, as amended in 2008) and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. CCD states it is committed to providing equal access in accordance with the ADA of 1990, the ADAAA of 2010, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Section 508.
Who the AC Serves
The AC serves currently enrolled CCD students with documented disabilities, including students taking courses on the Auraria Campus, CCD North (the welding and precision machining site on Downing Street), the Lowry Campus (nursing and allied health programs in Aurora), online, and — under a special arrangement — students who take classes at other higher education institutions but complete CCD's intake process first. Examples of disabilities the office lists include ADD/ADHD, bipolar disorder, cerebral palsy, deaf/hard of hearing, depression, epilepsy, generalized anxiety, learning disability, multiple sclerosis, orthopedic conditions, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and blind/visual impairment.
First-Time Student Intake
New students who need accommodations follow a four-step process: contact the AC (email [email protected], call 303-556-3300, or visit Confluence 121 in person), submit intake paperwork and disability documentation, attend an intake meeting (available virtually) with an AC staff member, and then receive an Accommodation Letter sent to their student email in CCD Connect with instructions for forwarding it to instructors. Accepted documentation includes a high school IEP, a 504 Plan, records from a private school or local education provider, an Indian tribe or tribal organization record, a state education agency record, a military service record, or medical documentation on professional letterhead from a physician, counselor, or therapist.
Renewing Accommodations Each Semester
Returning students must renew their accommodations each semester by first registering for classes, then emailing [email protected] to request renewal. A new Accommodation Letter is sent to the student email in CCD Connect for forwarding to instructors.
Accommodated Testing
The AC runs accommodated testing appointments for eligible CCD students. Requests must be made at least three to five business days in advance and are processed only during business hours (weekends excluded). Students use the Accommodated Testing Appointment Request link to schedule. The Momentum Credit and Testing Center, which operates the testing facilities in the Confluence Building, posts its hours distinctly from AC office hours.
- Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
Assistive Technology Lab
The AT Lab, housed inside the Accessibility Center in Confluence 121, lets students use computers loaded with assistive technology and access black-and-white printing. Once approved for AT as an accommodation, a student's Accessibility Specialist refers them to the Assistive Technology Coordinator for training. Other items are available on request by contacting the AT Coordinator.
- Text-to-Speech Software
- Speech-to-Text / Dictation Software (Dragon Naturally Speaking)
- Screen Reading and Magnification Software (JAWS, ZoomText)
- Electronic / Accessible Textbooks
- Note Taking and Recording Software & Hardware
- FM Systems
- CCTVs
- Adjustable tables
- Ergotronic arms
- Read&Write
Assistive Technology Lab Hours
The AT Lab shares its hours with open AC hours: Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Other Accommodations & Services
Reasonable accommodations are tailored to the student's disability and its impact on their academic experience, beyond what is offered in the AT Lab and accommodated testing. Each student can also be connected to additional in-house supports at CCD.
- ASL Interpreting
- Note taking supports (recording tools, instructor lecture materials)
- Alternative format materials
- Testing accommodations (extended time and breaks on exams, alternate testing location, reader/scribe)
- Assignment extensions
- ADA Furniture
- Priority classroom seating
- Consultation with faculty
- Campus Accessibility Shuttle (CAS)
Additional CCD Campus Supports
The AC coordinates with other CCD departments and resources to support enrolled students. Referrals and resource navigation include food and basic-needs assistance, academic help, and family- and veteran-specific services.
- EXCEL! Zone tutoring
- Writing Center
- Math & Science Zone
- Digital Zone
- Student Programming Activities & Resource Center (SPARC)
- Swooper Market Food Pantry
- Counseling Center
- Housing support
- Childcare resources
- Veteran Services
Accessibility Statement, Guidelines & Appeals
The AC publishes an Accessibility Statement and Guidelines describing how it implements ADA, ADAAA, Section 504, and Section 508 across CCD programs. It also operates an appeals process for students who dispute accommodation decisions. Students with accommodation-related concerns are encouraged to email [email protected] or call 303-556-3300 so staff can discuss the issue and provide assistance. Per CCD guidance, faculty members are not obligated to provide accommodations simply on a student's verbal disclosure; students are encouraged to connect formally with the AC.
Visiting the Accessibility Center
The Accessibility Center is located in the Community College of Denver's Confluence Building, Room 121, on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver (800 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80204). The Confluence Building's Curtis Street entrance is open Monday through Friday. The Auraria Campus is reachable by light rail, car, and bicycle, and AHEC manages parking on campus. Mailing address for the CCD Auraria Campus is P.O. Box 173363, Denver, CO 80217-3363.