Accessibility Services
Owensboro Community and Technical College is committed to providing equal educational opportunity and full participation for persons with disabilities. It is OCTC's policy that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from participating in any OCTC program or activity, be denied the benefits of any OCTC program or activity, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination with regard to any OCTC program or activity.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to qualifying individuals. A reasonable accommodation is a change or adjustment within an educational program, activity or service that provides a person with a disability equal opportunity to participate in the educational process, so long as the accommodation does not fundamentally alter the program or place an undue burden on OCTC.
Registering your disability with Accessibility Services involves a simple three-step process:
- Complete a Student Request for Services online form. The information that you provide on the Accommodation Request Form is the basis for determining potential accommodations.
- Obtain current documentation (within three years) of your disability or disabilities. Documentation can come in the form of an IEP, 504, medical records, reports and assessments created by health care providers, psychologists, etc. (Because obtaining documentation may take some time, it's best to start as soon as possible.)
- Meet with your counselor. Your counselor will contact you to schedule a meeting to discuss accommodations you may need.
**All students with disabilities, whether diagnosed or not, may contact the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (270) 687-7308 to discuss qualification for VR services.**
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As your student begins or continues their college journey, we understand how important your support has been—and continues to be—in helping them succeed. When it comes to requesting accessibility services in college, the process may look different from what you experienced in high school.
Here’s what you should know about your role:
Student-Led Process: In college, students are responsible for initiating and managing their own requests for accommodations. This empowers them to build self-advocacy skills and take ownership of their educational experience.
Your Support Matters: While we work directly with students, your encouragement and guidance behind the
scenes can be incredibly helpful. You can support your student by helping them gather
documentation, encouraging them to reach out to our office, and discussing their needs
openly.
Privacy and FERPA: Due to federal privacy laws (FERPA), we are limited in what we can share with parents
without the student’s written consent. We encourage you to maintain open communication
with your student about their accommodations and progress.
We’re Here to Help: Our office is committed to ensuring equal access for all students. If your student has questions or needs help navigating the process, we’re here to support them every step of the way.
Thank you for being a vital part of your student’s success.
OCTC Accessibility Services
The Accessibility Services Counselors share the student load by splitting the names
alphabetically by Student Last Name. Both are located in the OCTC Counseling Center
| Campus Center, which is located on the main campus at 4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro,
KY 42303.
Students with the Last Name A-L
Barb Tipmore
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Director of Counseling Services
Accessibility Services Coordinator/Title IX Coordinator
barb.tipmore@kctcs.edu
270-686-4530
Students with the Last Name M-Z
Karri Barnett
Counselor/Accessibility Services
karri.barnett@kctcs.edu
270-852-8963
inclusive circles
Inclusive Circles is a transformative program designed to enhance the college experience and success of students with autism. This program is offered by Puzzle Pieces in collaboration with Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC). This initiative is made possible through funding from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), allowing students to access Inclusive Circles at no cost while attending classes at OCTC.
Because Inclusive Circles is funded by the OVR, it is recommended that students who are interested in the program open a case with OVR. Inclusive Circles is built around six pillars of support, each carefully crafted to address the unique challenges faced by students with autism:
- Study Tables: Structured academic support sessions.
- Mentoring: Personalized guidance and encouragement by neurotypical student peers.
- Socials: Inclusive social events to foster community.
- Mental Health Counseling: Access to professional mental health services.
- Weekly Advisor Meetings: Regular check-ins to ensure academic progress.
- Social Skills Curriculum: Training to develop essential interpersonal skills.
Qualifications in addition to an Autism diagnosis include:
- Order and take medication independently
- Get up independently
- Independently manage a debit card
- Keep room clean
- Independently perform hygiene routines
- Independently wash clothes on a regular basis
- Cook simple meals
- Independently able to balance work versus leisure
- Independently transition from preferred activities to complete responsibilities during free time
- Independently manage sleep schedule.
Paperwork needed aside from an OCTC application include:
- A copy of your high school transcript
- A copy of your college transcript if you are transferring from a different institution.
- A psychological/medical evaluation confirming a diagnosis of ASD completed within the last 3 years
- A copy of the most current IEP or 504 plan (if applicable)
- A current photo of yourself (preferably 3x5)
- 2 letters of reference (Academic/Professional).
For students interested in Inclusive Circles, please complete this survey. For more information, please contact Inclusive Circles Coach Bobbi Sandifer, who serves as the on-campus point of contact, providing consistent and personalized support to students while also growing the program and continuing curriculum development. Bobbi Sandifer 270-316-6074 bobbisandifer@puzzle-pieces.org.
