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Services for Students with Disabilities
WCC abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which states:
"No otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity."
"Otherwise qualified" in the ADA means that only those people who are able to meet the technical and academic qualifications for entry into a school, program, or activity are protected by the ADA. This means accommodations that are a "fundamental alteration" of a program or which would impose an undue financial or administrative burden are not required.
The college has no responsibility for identification and evaluation of students with disabilities. If an evaluation is needed, the expense is the student's responsibility. If you are a student who would like to receive disability services you will need to follow the procedures listed below.
Procedure for Requesting Reasonable Accommodations
To initiate the request for accommodations the student must:
Step 1: Meet the admission requirements: application for admission; transcripts; and placement testing. Alternate placement testing format must be arranged in advance.
Step 2: Self-identify in Student Services that he or she has a disability as soon as possible prior to enrollment. Click here to complete a Self Referral Form for Disability Services and a Release Form.
Step 3: Provide appropriate documentation of the disability. Click here for Documentation Guidelines.
Step 4: Once you have received your Eligibility Letter for Disability Services from the Disability Counselor you must then arrange an appointment with Disability Services Counselor in Student Services to develop an Accommodation Form for your upcoming semester classes.
Step 5: Make an appointment with your instructors to provide them with a copy of your Accommodation Form (see sample form) and have them to sign your Accommodation Agreement (see sample form).
Step 6: Request testing accommodation with instructor and disability counselor at least 48 hours in advance of a test or in the case of an accommodation of an extended deadline by completing the Testing Accommodation Request Form.
Step 7: Request accommodations prior to the start of each semester. Accommodations are only valid for one semester. Click here for the link to the Request Accommodations.
To request disability services, complete the documents listed below and submit to:
Jenny Buchanan, Counselor
Wytheville Community College
1000 East Main Street
108A Bland Hall
Wytheville, VA 24382
Phone: (276) 223-4754
Fax: (276) 223-4861
wcbuchj@wcc.vccs.edu
Required documents:
Guidelines for Documentation of Disabilities
Students seeking academic accommodations are required to submit documentation verifying eligibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
All documentation is confidential and is not considered a part of the academic transcript. The following guidelines are provided in the interest of identifying evaluation reports appropriate to document eligibility.
Click here for WCC's General Guidelines for Documentation of Disabilities
WCC's Assistive Technology
WCC offers these programs to assist students with disabilities:
- JAWS for Windows – screen reader that works with a PC to provide access to software applications and the Internet
- Zoom Text – magnifies all text and graphics in computer applications
- Dragon Naturally Speaking – allows computer access and use by voice
- Kurzweil 3000 – screen reader
- Track-ball mouse – Large mouse that is easier to manipulate than standard mouse
- CCTV – magnifies hard copy – Primary users: individuals with low or compromised vision
- Spell Checkers – provides auditory feedback with comprehensive dictionary
- Cassette Tape Recorders – records auditory information mobility issues
- Reading Pens – scans and reads text
Click here for a Complete Description of WCC's Assistive Technology
Other assistive technology requests will be reviewed on an individual basis and may be the responsibility of the student.
American with Disabilities Act Complaint Procedure
Wytheville Community College has adopted an internal procedure which provides for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Americans with Disabilities Act states, in part, that "no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits, of, or be subjected to discrimination" in programs or activities sponsored by a public entity.
Complaints should be addressed to the Dean of Student Services, who has been designated to coordinate disability services for students.
- A complaint should be filed in writing, contain the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the alleged violation of the regulations.
- A complaint should be filed within 10 calendar days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
- An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow the filing of a complaint. The investigation shall be informal but thorough and afford all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.
- A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued and forwarded to the complainant no later than 10 calendar days after its filing.
- The complainant can request a reconsideration of the case in instances of dissatisfaction with the resolution. The request for reconsideration should be made to the Dean of Student Services within 10 calendar days.
- The ADA coordinator shall maintain the files and records relating to the complaints filed.
- The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by nor shall the use of this procedure be a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
Other remedies include the filing of an ADA complaint with the federal EEOC, or other responsible federal agency.