STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
504 or IEP in High School?
Disability Resources and Services
Disability Support Services is provided within the Office of Student Services at Mountain Empire Community College. Our mission is to support to students with disabilities through services that provide equal access to college classes, services, and events. Services are open to any student with a disability that provides appropriate documentation.
Definition of a Disability
Section 504 of the Rehabilition Act of 1973 defines a person with a disability as a person:
1) with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
2) who has a record of the disability or
3) who is regarded as having the disability
The following guidelines promote adequate time to process requests before the first class meeting:
- Student requesting an interpreter must provide written request to office at least 3 weeks prior to class start.
- The Disabilities Coordinator must review the student’s class schedule at least 2 weeks prior to class start.
- Student requesting books and/or videos in alternate formats must do so as soon as possible. Books and/or videos in alternate formats can require up to 6 weeks.
- Student requesting other accommodations must meet with the Disabilities Services Coordinator 2 weeks prior to the beginning of a semester.
- Student requesting accommodations later than the recommended timeframe, will be served as soon as possible, but the Coordinator of Disability Services cannot assure that accommodations will be available for the first or next class.
- Accommodations are NOT retroactive. It is the responsibility of the student to disclose disabilities to the Office of Student Services prior to the start of coursework. Any grades obtained prior to disclosure cannot be altered or amended.
Requested accommodations must relate to the disability, and decisions are based on recommendations made by qualified evaluators and/or evidence of past accommodations. All accommodations are designed to meet individual student needs.
Please use the following checklist as your guide for completing all steps necessary to receive accommodations.
- Complete application for admission and financial aid.
- Complete college placement testing or transfer requirements.
- Carefully read documentation requirements for your disability.
- Obtain copies of your reports. If your documentation is older than three years, it must be updated. However, you may bring older documentation to your first appointment with the Disabilities Services Coordinator so that an initial contact can be established.
- Provide documentation of your disability at the first meeting with the Disabilities Services Coordinator.
- Bring high school IEP reports, and be ready to discuss accommodations that you received in high school or at another college you have attended.
- Register for classes during your meeting with the Disability Services Coordinator or review you schedule with the Disabilities Coordinator.
- Attend all classes.
- Meet with the Disabilities Services Coordinator if you have questions or problems.
The accommodations that students with disabilities receive are based on recommendations made by qualified evaluators. Requested accommodations must relate to the disability, and the documentation must support the request. Accommodations are designed to meet individual student needs.
Required Documentation
To ensure that accommodations are reasonable, timely, and relevant to individual needs, students should complete the required documentation for services. To access disability services forms:
For Further Information Contact:
Disability Services Counselor
276-523-9108
For Disabilities Services resources, click here for the Wampler Library Guide on Disability Services.