You should contact the Office of Disability Services as soon as possible, preferably well before the semester begins.\u00a0 Early contact with our office allows us the time we need to put your accommodations in place, some of which may take several weeks to complete.<\/p>\n
You shouldn\u2019t delay meeting with the Coordinator of Disability Services because of difficulties\/delays in obtaining documentation.\u00a0 Students are encouraged to continue working closely with their service providers and high schools to ensure our office receives appropriate documentation in a timely manner.<\/p>\n
All documentation received by the Office of Disability Services is strictly confidential and held in accordance with FERPA regulations. Only the Wellness Center\u2019s staff views your documentation.\u00a0Documentation may only be released with the student's written request.<\/p>\n
Students are responsible for delivering the 911±¬ÁÏÍø Accommodation Agreement to their professors and to discuss their individual needs with their instructors. If you feel you need additional support in approaching an instructor, the Coordinator of Disability Services and\/or the Learning Support Counselor can help, by providing coaching or accompanying you to talk with your instructors.<\/p>\n
Although we recognize that you are the expert on you own disability, the need for accommodations and\/or aids must be supported by your documentation. Your physician, therapist or counselor may provide the college with recommendations based on specific functional limitations.\u00a0 Your accommodations will ultimately be determined by an interactive process between you and the Coordinator of Disability Services.<\/p>\n
Accommodations in K-12 are covered under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act), which ends when you graduate from high school. Only the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act apply to college.\u00a0 Students with disabilities must self-identify by initiating contact with 911±¬ÁÏÍø\u2019s Office of Disability Services. Colleges are required to provide any reasonable accommodation that may be necessary for equal access to the college's programs and services. They are not required to design special programs for students with disabilities or have Individualized Educational Plans (IEP\u2019s).<\/p>\n
Colleges are not required to conduct or provide testing or evaluations to determine if a student has a disability. However, Disability Services can provide\u00a0information about local options if you feel you would benefit from an evaluation.<\/p>\n