A.  Disability Services

Howard Community College is committed to providing an accessible education and supportive learning environment for all students.

Noncredit students with disabilities who require special accommodations must notify the continuing education department, in writing, two weeks before their first class begins so that suitable assistance may be provided in a timely fashion.  All information will be kept confidential.

Students with disabilities who are enrolled in credit classes should schedule an appointment with a counselor in the disability support services (DSS) office.  Students must provide appropriate documentation of their disability to this office.  All information provided will be kept confidential, but will be used to determine appropriate and reasonable academic accommodations.

B.  Scheduling Services

To schedule a sign language interpreter, credit students must notify the DSS office of their semester schedule no later than two weeks prior to the start of classes.  Because of a region-wide shortage of sign language interpreters, it is highly recommended that students needing interpreters work closely with their counselor and complete early registration giving the college greater time to find an appropriate sign language interpreter.  Interpreters are available for college activities and request must also be submitted, if possible, two weeks in advance.

If a reader or writer is approved as a test accommodation, students need to provide the counselor with a list of dates and times of their exam schedule.  Reader/writer coordinators will work with students throughout the semester to schedule exam times with reader/writer proctors.  All attempts will be made to schedule the exam at or around the same time as the exam is being given to the rest of the class, if possible. 

C.  Assistive Technology

Students who need to use assistive technology, such as text readers or Dragon Naturally Speaking, must first receive training.  Training is available through the DSS and student support services offices.  Students who need assistive technology in classroom labs, modified course materials, or special seating/workspace, need to notify their counselor at least two weeks before the beginning of classes.  Students needing alternate formats of print materials should work with the disability and assistive technology specilist.  Students in need of books in alternative format must give the DSS office 4-6 weeks notice to ensure availability by the start of classes. 

Students who use wheelchairs or who have limited mobility need to notify their instructors in advance if enrolled in a field trip course where the college is providing transportation.  If the college is providing transportation to students, it must also provide accessible transportation to a student with mobility impairment.  It is the responsibility of the staff or faculty person responsible for planning the trip to make sure this accommodation is met and that the field trip site has made arrangements for any necessary accommodations or modifications needed.

D.  Course Waivers and Substitution

Students requesting a course waiver/substitution based on disability must meet with their counselor to review the college’s policy and procedure.  If the request meets the eligibility guidelines, they will then meet with the college’s 504/ADA coordinator.  After review, the request is forwarded to the vice president of academic affairs for final approval.  The procedure is as follows:

Guidelines for Substitution of Course(s) in A.A. Degree for Learning Disabled Students

I.    Eligibility:

• The student has clear documentation that s/he is disabled and cannot complete the coursework as a result of the disability.
• The student has demonstrated s/he cannot complete the course by making at least two sincere attempts at passing the course.
• The student has demonstrated that s/he has taken advantage of all the academic support (i.e., tutoring, institutional specialist, and faculty) services available on campus.

II.    Appeal Procedures:

• The eligible student must submit a written request to the vice president of academic affairs for a course substitution.
• The vice president of academic affairs will convene a panel consisting of one faculty member from the student’s major area, one faculty member from the content area, and one staff member from student support services.
• The panel will make a recommendation to the vice president of academic affairs for the approval or denial of the particular course replacement.  The panel should exercise fair and reasonable deliberation in deciding the course substitution.
• The decision of the vice president of academic affairs is final.

Grievance Process

Students who have questions or concerns regarding their accommodations contract should contact their DSS counselor to discuss.  If the student’s accommodation concern is not resolved then the matter will be referred to the 504/ADA coordinator to resolve. Students who are having difficulty receiving their prescribed accommodations from their instructors must notify their disability support services (DSS) counselor.  Students are encouraged to speak with their instructor first, but if the complaint is not resolved, the student should immediately notify their DSS counselor, who will contact the faculty on behalf of the student.  If the complaint is still not resolved, the DSS counselor will contact the 504/ADA coordinator.  The 504/ADA coordinator will review each complaint on a case-by-case basis and determine a resolution.  Concerns not being resolved by the 504/ADA coordinator will be brought to the attention of the vice president of student services and the vice president of academic affairs for remedy.  The vice president of academic affairs will make the final determination. 

E.  Personal Care Attendants

An otherwise qualified student who requires personal care attendant (PCA) services must make arrangements to provide his/her own PCA service.  The college does not assume coordination or financial responsibilities for PCA services. 

The student and the PCA must register with the DSS office and sign an agreement that details the role and responsibilities of both parties while on campus.

F.  Service Animals

A Service animal, as defined by the he ADA, is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.” (ADA Title III, 28 CFR SEC 36.104).

HCC recognizes and supports the assistance a trained service animal can provide a student with a disability.  Students who use a service animal should contact the DSS office to register as a student with a disability.  The DSS counselor will evaluate the documentation of disability and discuss appropriate accommodations, including the assistance of a service animal.

Policy Manual Review/Revision:  04/08/11