Disabilities Services ~ Rights & Responsibilities

Section 504 of The 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 continue to provide direction and guidance to the College as it reaches new levels of access in all areas. As such, both the College and student have rights and responsibilities.

Institutional Rights and Responsibilities

Raritan Valley Community College through Disability Services has the right and responsibility to:

1. Maintain the College academic standards.
2. Request qualifying disability documentation (see Disability Documentation Guidelines) in order to verify eligibility for disability accommodations and/or assistive technology needs.
3. Discuss the student's eligibility with diagnosing professionals given signed consent.
4. Select from among equally effective/appropriate accommodations and/or assistive technology needs in consultation with the student.
5. Deny requests for accommodations and/or assistive technology needs when disability documentation does not identify a specific disability, fails to verify the need for the requested services, or is not provided in a timely manner.
6. Deny requests for accommodations and/or assistive technology needs that are inappropriate or unreasonable, based on disability documentation, including any that:
   • Pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others;
   • Constitute a substantial change or alteration of an essential course element/program standard; or
   • Pose undue financial or administrative burden on the College.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Every qualified student with a disability has the following rights:

1. Equal access to educational and co-curricular programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities available through the College.
2. Reasonable accommodations and/or assistive technology needs as determined on a case-by-case basis.
3. Confidentiality regarding information pertaining to disability except as required by FERPA and agreed to in writing by student at the time of Disability Services intake interview.
4. Information available in accessible formats, when requested in a timely manner.

Every qualified student with a disability has the following responsibilities to:

1. Meet the College's qualifications, including essential academic, technical, and institutional standards.
2. Identify as an individual with a disability and request accommodations in a timely manner.
3. Provide documentation from an appropriate professional source verifying the nature of the disability, functional limitations, and the rationale for specific accommodations being recommended (see Disability Documentation Guidelines).
4. Follow specific procedures for obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations and/or assistive technology needs as outlined in Procedures for New Students with Disabilities and  Accommodation Procedures

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