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Disabilities Services Policy
Students with disabilities who are otherwise qualified and are college able will receive reasonable accommodations to support their special needs. Students must self-identify to the Disabilities Services office to qualify to receive services. Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) is in full compliance with the regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Disability Services Procedures
Disability Services will provide reasonable accommodations and assistive technology needs on a case-by-case basis for persons with disabilities.
~PROCEDURES FOR ACCOMMODATION
- All new
students must attend the College Advising 101 workshop prior to
contacting Disability Services. New Students please refer to
the New Student
Procedures Checklist.
- New,
transferring, and visiting
students with disabilities should call Disability Services
(908) 526-1200 Ext. 8418 for an appointment with the Disabilities Specialist as
soon as they have registered for classes. Bring a copy of documentation that
is current within three (3) years to the appointment. [See DOCUMENTATION
GUIDELINES .]
- Submit the Accommodation Request Form at least two (2) weeks before classes begin.
- Self-identify
to each professor during the first week of classes.
- Pick up and deliver
the Accommodation Letters to each professor for signature.
- Return the signed
Office Copy to the Disability Services office.
- Notify Disability Services of any difficulties with accommodations.
~DOCUMENTATION
- Current
documentation of the permanent or temporary disability must be on file
with Disability
Services in order to receive accommodations.
- Documentation
of disability must be from a qualified professional and must indicate
specific recommendations related to what accommodations or academic
adjustments are appropriate, based on acceptable assessment procedures.
See DOCUMENTATION
GUIDELINES for acceptable documentation.
- A student will
be considered inactive if he/she does not request and use accommodations
for three (3) consecutive semesters.
- Documentation
will be kept on file for five (5) years after a student becomes inactive.
- Documentation
that has been received by Disability Services cannot be released to
anyone except the student with the disability or an individual who has
a release form signed and dated by the student.
- RVCC reserves
the right to request additional documentation on a case-by-case basis.
- Raritan Valley Community College does not provide evaluations for disabilities, but will refer students who may have learning disabilities to the New Jersey Regional Center for Learning Disabilities, which charges a nominal fee for testing.
~REQUEST FOR SERVICES
- Requests for
specific services that require contracting with non-RVCC employees, i.e.
sign language interpreters, alternate formats, books on tape, etc., must
be made in a reasonable time frame to enable Disability Services to make
necessary arrangements. The student has the responsibility to provide
dates for which contracted services are needed and to give at least
48 hours notice to the service provider when they are not necessary.
If notice is not given, RVCC reserves the right to discontinue services
from that point.
- The student with
mobility impairment should check the location of all classes prior to
the start of the semester to determine accessibility. Classes scheduled
in a non-accessible space will be relocated or a change in schedule
arranged upon notification of Disability Services.
- Raritan Valley
Community College has the right to discontinue accommodations based
on non-compliance with RVCC procedures.
- RVCC does NOT provide personal devices, such as wheelchairs; individually prescribed devices, such as hearing aids; or services of a personal nature including assistance in eating, toileting, dressing or medication. The student is responsible to provide for these devices and personal care services individually or through the appropriate government agency.
~TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS
- The need for
testing accommodation must be approved by Disability Services and indicated
on the accommodation letter to the professor.
- All students must
follow Testing Center procedures. The Testing Center reserves the right
to deny accommodated testing services to any student who violates testing
security procedures.
- The student in
need of personnel service assistance must notify Disability Services
of times and dates at least two weeks in advance.
- Any concern about violation of rules or cheating will be reported to the professor who will take necessary action.
~COURSE SUBSTITUTION AND WAIVERS
RVCC recognizes that in certain instances it may be appropriate to substitute or waive a program requirement based on a student’s unique circumstances. Decisions will be based upon maintaining the academic integrity of the program; the College will approve or disapprove the request through appropriate and consistent procedures for all students. Students are advised that course substitutions and waivers may limit enrollment in certain majors and/or in the acceptance of transfer credits by other institutions of higher education.
The process for requesting a course substitution or waiver is the same for all students and is found in the Policy and Procedures section of RVCC publications and /or Website.
~APPEAL/COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
Students with disabilities
have the right to file a complaint concerning any allegation of failure
to comply with the laws, regulations and procedures set forth for students
with disabilities.
Complaints are processed through the existing Complaint Policy and Procedures
for the College that is available in RVCC publications and / or Website.
Upon request, these procedures will be provided in alternate format.