Location: Student Advising Center, Whitcomb Student Center Building

RCC Disability Support Services FAQs

For Faculty & Staff

Location: Student Advising Center, Whitcomb Student Center Building

Academic Advising & Disabilities Counselor: Adrienne Bowman, ext. 2243

Director of Academic Advising & Counseling: Melanie Eley, ext. 2308

What services are offered through Disability Support Services?

Disability Support Services (DSS) exists to assist students with disabilities in achieving their educational goals. The focus is to provide equal access to all programs and activities. Services provided include: assignment of appropriate reasonable accommodations, assistance with accommodation implementation, advocacy, and referral to community resources.

What is a disability?

A mental or physical impairment that substantially limits a major life activity

Examples: Visual, Hearing, Mobility, Learning, Chronic illness, Psychiatric

What is an accommodation?

•  Academic or physical adjustments in order to make the facility or activity accessible to students with disabilities

•  The purpose is to guarantee access, NOT success

•  The course content cannot be modified for a student with a disability (ex. lighter workload for a student with a disability)

Overall Goal: to provide equal access to the instructional process/academic environment

How does a student receive accommodations?

•  Self-identify disability to the disability counselor in a timely manner

•  Provide disability documentation from a qualified professional to the disability counselor

Ø  shows current disability status, how the disability limits participation in course, activities, and recommendations for reasonable accommodations

Ø  Documentation should be current (preferably 5 years)

When should a student request accommodations?

•  In a reasonable, timely manner

Ø  Initial request: a minimum of 1 week to review documentation and process

Ø  Once approved: a minimum of 2 days to process

If approved for accommodations, does the student need to request them every semester?

Yes! Accommodations do not “transfer” from semester to semester because the student’s instructors often vary each semester. Also, a student’s disability may not affect all subject areas, and the student may not need accommodations for all courses.

How much information does the instructor receive about the student’s disability?

•  Instructors will receive an Accommodations Form from the Disability Support Services office. This form lists the accommodations that have been approved for the student. This form does not contain any details about the disability itself.

•  As a courtesy, instructors first view the Accommodations Form via an email from the disability counselor. They will also receive a hard copy of the form during a scheduled meeting with the student (meeting is initiated by either the student or the disability counselor). While it is not required, some students request that the disability counselor attend the meeting with them. The counselor, student and instructor sign the form and each retain a copy for their records.

•  Instructors will be provided with additional information about the student’s disability only at the student’s request. ADA guidelines prohibit Counseling Services to disclose specific disability information to others (including faculty and staff) unless the student has given permission to do so.

What if I disagree with an accommodation?

If a student has self-identified, provided appropriate documentation, and has an accommodation form, they are entitled under law to receive the specified accommodation. However, if there are questions or concerns about an accommodation, please contact Adrienne Bowman, the Disabilities Counselor, immediately.

What are some accommodations that are typically provided to students?

The following is a sample list of accommodations that a student may be eligible to receive:

·  Note taker (Instructor is asked to select an anonymous volunteer to take notes in class as needed or student may use a classmate’s notes)

·  Alternative Text

·  Reader

·  Extended test-taking time- usually time and a half (Tests and quizzes should be sent along with the DSS Accommodation Test Request Form (found in Doc-E Fill) at least 24 hours before the student's test date. The student will contact The Test Center to schedule an appointment for testing.

·  Low distraction testing room

·  Real-time captioning

·  Scribe

·  Sign-language interpreter

·  Priority registration

·  Preferential seating (sit in front, back, near wall, etc)

·  Early notification of assignments

·  Brailed documents

·  Assistive Listening Device

·  Permission to audiotape lectures

(tape recorder provided by student)

What if a student discloses that they have a disability but doesn’t provide an accommodation form to the instructor?

It is best to refrain from providing accommodations to a student if you have not received an accommodation form from DSS. Please refer the student to DSS so we can ensure that the student is qualified to receive accommodations, and if so, which ones have specifically been approved for that student.

How do I refer a student to the Disability Support Services Office?

If you suspect that a student may benefit from accommodations, you may be able to approach the student in a private setting and express concern about their performance. It is acceptable to mention that there are services available on campus for students with disabilities and provide the contact information for the disability counselor. Upon meeting with the referred student, the counselor will discuss all potential campus resources including disability services. Please note that at the post-secondary level, students must self-identify prior to disability services being initiated. Also the student is responsible for covering any expenses that are incurred as a result of any tests or evaluations that a qualified professional must conduct in order to determine if the student has a disability.