Reasonable Accommodations

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires the College to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of current or potential students. An accommodation is any change in the work or learning environment, or in the way things are customarily done, that enables an individual with a qualifying disability to pursue opportunities and have access to employment or programs and services offered by the College.

Qualifying Disability

To have a qualifying disability, an individual must have a record of having a substantial impairment. A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for oneself, learning or working.

Otherwise Qualified

An individual must also be "otherwise qualified"
(i.e., to be able to meet the requisite technical and academic standards.)

Principles of Reasonable Accommodations at SCC

SCC

Individuals with qualifying disabilities must self-identify. Recent documentation describing the nature of the disability is required. Documentation must meet the criteria established by Southeast Community College.

 

  • Statement of a specific learning or psychiatric disability or attention deficit disorder from a certified educational psychologist or medical professional.
  • Statement from treating physician or therapist.
  • Copies of secondary school records establishing the existence of a disability and accommodations provided at the secondary level.

Note: Secondary school records such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, may help identify services that have been effective for you, but these plans do not apply at the post-secondary level and do not obligate SCC to provide the same accommodations.

  • Documentation must be supplied by the individual. It is not the responsibility or obligation of the College to pay for evaluations. When necessary, however the College may request, and will assume the cost for, a second professional opinion.
  • The individual must be "otherwise qualified" for a program. The law does NOT require that core courses or essential curriculum be waived as an accommodation. However, alternatives that allow mastery of essential content may be considered.
  • Once it has been documented that an individual has a qualifying disability, SCC will work with the individual to provide reasonable accommodation.
  • The College is only obligated to make an accommodation to the knownlimitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability.
  • The College is not required to provide an accommodation that is primarily for personal use.The reasonable accommodation obligation applies only to accommodations that reduce barriers to learning or employment related to a person's disability.
  • The accommodation provided need not be the most expensive or ideal accommodation, or the accommodation requested by the individual as long as it is an effective accommodation.

  • Obtain a copy of the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form from:
  • Complete, sign and date the request form.
    • Attach copies of material documenting disability
    • Submit form and materials to the Accommodations Resource Office
  • Accommodations Resource Office will review application.
  • Individual will be contacted and appointment arranged.
    • When individual and counselor meet, counselor will inform individual about qualification status-verbally and by written documentation
  • If individual qualifies
    • At this time individual may suggest ideas for reasonable accommodation
    • SCC will make every reasonable effort to offer an accommodation within approximately
      ten (10) school days
    • If accommodation is accepted, individual and Counselor will complete the Reasonable Accommodation Agreement form
  • If individual qualifies but does not accept the offered accommodation
    • The individual has the right to appeal an offered accommodation they may think is unacceptable.
  • If individual does not qualify
    • The individual has the right to appeal the decision

ADA Grievances

If a student believes that an accommodation(s) is ineffective or that they have been denied equal access to appropriate accommodations, modifications, auxiliary aids, or effective communication, and efforts to resolve the issues are unsuccessful, a student may file a grievance. Students are encouraged to seek resolution of the grievance through the informal process before filing a formal grievance. However, students may use the College’s formal grievance procedure to appeal decisions regarding student accommodations, and may do so without first going through the College’s informal grievance process.

  • Obtain a copy of the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form from the Student Services Office. Individuals who need accommodations should apply as early as possible.
  • Attach copies of material documenting your disability, and include information about the type of accommodation provided previously.
  • Submit the completed request form to the Accommodations Resource Office on your campus.

  • Your request will be reviewed by the Campus ADA Coordinator or designee to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can and should be provided by SCC.
  • The Campus ADA Coordinator or designee will meet with the individual to inform him/her whether he/she qualifies under ADA guidelines to receive accommodation. Written notification of the College's decision shall also be provided to the individual.
  • If the individual does qualify, this meeting shall also be used by the Campus ADA Coordinator or designee to learn more about the individuals disability and to hear suggestions or ideas for reasonable accommodation.
  • For individuals who qualify, an offer of accommodation will be made in approximately ten (10)school days.
  • For individuals who qualify but do not accept the offered accommodation, the individual has the right to appeal an offered accommodation they may think is unacceptable.
  • For individuals who do not qualify, the individual has the right to appeal the decision.

  1. An individual requesting accommodation has the right to appeal the decision if the request for accommodation is denied.
  2. The individual requesting accommodation also has the right of appeal if:
    • the accommodation offered is unacceptable to them OR
    • the accommodation proves unsatisfactory, and attempts to remedy the problem are unsuccessful.

Individuals should contact the Campus ADA Coordinator or designee.