ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Admission to the College: Intake Interview 

Prior to taking the College Placement Test, the applicant is required to contact the Office of Disabilities Services to arrange for the In-Take Interview, at which time the prospective student is required to provide appropriate documentation supporting his/her disability. This information is provided in the “ODS Student Intake Packet” available in the back of this handbook.

During this interview the candidate agrees to release pertinent records allowing ODS to collaborate with appropriate personnel in all matters relating to the candidate’s disabilities.

Orientation
Those students who have registered with the ODS are invited and encouraged to attend an orientation. During this orientation, the ODS will inform students of existing and new practices, policies, and procedures affiliated with the disabilities services program.

Documentation
Passaic County Community College (PCCC) has an Office of Student Accessibility Services that coordinates assistance to students with disabilities. The Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services, serving as a connecting link between students with disabilities and the college, provides accessibility related accommodations, information and referral services.

1. The college shall facilitate, within reason, appropriate resources, services, and auxiliary aids to allow each qualified person with a documented disability equitable access to educational programs, social experiences, and career opportunities.
   
   
2. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 focuses attention on accessibility to facilities, programs and services. The Americans with Disabilities Act, specifically Title II, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all services and programs offered by public entities such as Passaic County Community College. In addition, Section 504 of the 5 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive Federal funding, including Passaic County Community College.
   
   
3. Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. An individual is considered to be a person with a disability if he/she has the disability, has a record of the disability or is regarded as having the disability. It is the college’s intention and obligation to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified students with disabilities provided the accommodation does not create undue hardship on the financial or structural operation of the college.
   
   
4. The procedure for requesting accommodations: Under Section 504 and the ADA, the college will provide reasonable accommodations and make such modifications to its academic requirements as are necessary to ensure that the requirements do not discriminate on the basis of accessibility. If a student with a disability needs reasonable accommodation, it is the responsibility of the student to request such accommodation in writing, as well as to provide the College with documentation of the disability to the Office of Accessibility Services:
   
   
   • Physical or sensory challenge: doctor’s report specifying diagnosis and listing appropriate ways of accommodating the diagnosed challenge in the college setting;
   • Psychiatric/psychological: report by the student’s psychologist, psychiatrist or other appropriate professional specifying diagnosis and impact on college performance; if possible, suggestions for accommodating the accessibility in the college setting should be included;
   • Learning accessibility: recent (not older than four years) Learning Evaluation and Psychological Assessment. Documents should include diagnosis, and if possible, suggestions for accommodating the accessibility in the college setting.
   • The Accessibility Verification Form can be obtained in the Office of Accessibility Services.