A.  Disability Services

B.  Scheduling Services

To schedule a sign language interpreter, students must notify the Disability Support Services 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 must also be submitted for request if possible two weeks in advance.

If a reader and/or writer are needed 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, but sometimes that is not possible. 

C.  Adaptive Equipment

Students who need to use adaptive equipment such as the text readers or Dragon Naturally Speaking must first receive training.  Training is available through the Disability Support Services and Student Support Services offices.  Students who need adaptive equipment within their 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 Braille or large print books should become members of the Recordings for the Blind.  Information on these memberships is available from counselors.  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:

A.  The student has clear documentation that he/she is disabled and cannot complete the coursework as a result of the disability.

B.  The student has demonstrated he/she cannot complete the course by making at least two sincere attempts at passing the course.

C.  The student has demonstrated that he/she has taken advantage of all the academic support (i.e., tutoring, institutional specialist, and faculty) services available on campus.

II.    Appeal Procedures:

A.  The eligible student must submit a written request to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for a course substitution.

B.  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.

C.  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.

D.  The decision of the Vice President of Academic Affairs is final.

The grievance process is as follows.  Student must notify their counselor if they are having difficulty with their coursework and/or their accommodations.  Students are encouraged to speak with their instructor first, but if advocacy or intervention is needed, the counselor should be notified immediately.  If the complaint is not resolved after meeting with the instructor and/or counselor, it will be necessary to involve the assistance of the 504/ADA Coordinator.  The 504/ADA Coordinator will work with the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Vice President of Student Services to resolve the complaint.  The Vice President of Academic Affairs will have the authority to make the final decision.  Instructors who have concerns regarding a student’s accommodation should address the student’s counselor on the accommodation memo received.  Concerns not being resolved at this level will involve the college’s 504/ADA Coordinator, who will make the final determination of the appropriateness of the accommodation in consultation with the Vice President of Academic Affairs and legal counsel, as necessary.

Policy Manual Review/Revision:  10/7/05