Access-Ability Center

Access-Ability Center / Disability Support Services

Through open-door admissions, the Community College of Beaver County equips individuals with knowledge and skills to further their education, acquire meaningful employment, and enhance the quality of their lives. The Access-Ability Center enhances this mission by providing services and accommodations to students with disabilities as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008. All reasonable accommodations are individualized, flexible, and confidential based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment. Through the interactive process, the staff and faculty implement reasonable accommodations that allow students with disabilities to fully participate in all programs offered on campus.

Students requesting accommodations may do so in person, via telephone, or via video call with Access-Ability Center staff. Appropriate documentation from a licensed professional is required to certify that the student has a disability and to determine reasonable accommodations. Physical limitations should be verified by a medical doctor and/or licensed rehabilitation counselor. Learning, cognitive, and psychological disabilities should be verified by the presentation of a psychological assessment from a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. The College does not pay for such diagnostic testing. The student is encouraged to request accommodations immediately upon admission to the college, as some accommodations, i.e., notetaker, interpreter, and text recording services, may require at least three weeks for planning before each semester.

Disclosure

Once a student has completed a college admissions application and been admitted to the college, they must identify themselves and request accommodations in the Access-Ability Center or by calling the staff at 724-480-3502. Students are encouraged to request services at least three weeks in advance of the semester (six weeks when requesting a sign language interpreter), as some accommodations require planning in advance of the semester.

Documentation

A student requesting accommodations must provide appropriate documentation from a licensed professional to certify the nature of the disability and recommended academic adjustments specific to the individual student. Appropriate documentation must be five years old or less and may include a letter from a physician (on letterhead – prescription pad note will not be accepted); psychological assessment; evaluation reports from Blindness and Visual Services (BVS); audiologist reports; or another agency that has documented the disability. (A high school IEP may be sufficient documentation if the request is for testing accommodations). The college does not provide nor pay for such diagnostic testing.

Assessment

At an intake interview in the Access-Ability Center, via telephone or video call, the student and staff will discuss the student’s needs and possible accommodations. They will also review the college’s applicable accommodation procedures. The request for accommodations will be documented on a “Student Request for Services” form and will be forwarded, along with the appropriate documentation, to the Director of Student Support Services.

Authorization

The Director of Student Support Services will authorize reasonable and appropriate requests. However, accommodations that fundamentally alter or change program or course standards and requirements will not be approved.

Notification

Upon authorization of services, Access-Ability Center staff will send a written notification of the authorized services to the student and will arrange the appropriate services and accommodations. They will also distribute “Instructor Notification” forms which notify appropriate instructors of the student’s approved accommodations.

ESL

To receive appropriate educational assistance, students who speak English as their second language may also identify themselves and request services through the Access-Ability Center. An Accommodation Specialist will assist the student with an individualized academic plan.

Confidentiality

The Access-Ability Center is committed to ensuring all information regarding a student remains confidential as required or permitted by law. Only authorized staff has immediate access to student files, and any information regarding a disability gained from medical or psychological evaluations shall be considered confidential and shall be shared with others from within the institution on a need-to-know basis only. A student may sign a written consent form giving our office permission to discuss the disability with faculty and staff, parents, coaches, and/or advisors who require further information in to promote collegiate success.

Grievances

The Community College of Beaver County does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in admissions, or access to its programs or activities. The Dean of Students, located in the Learning Resources Center, 724-480-3465 has been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008, and applicable regulations.

Any student, who believes that reasonable accommodations have not been met, or that they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability status, may file a complaint as follows:

The complaint must be in writing to the Dean of Students and include the name, address, and CCBC ID number of the person filing it.
The complaint should briefly describe the alleged incident.
The complaint should be filed within five working days of the alleged incident.
An investigation will be conducted by the Dean of Students and/or Affirmative Action Officer.
Following the investigation, a written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the next steps, if any, will be issued to the complainant and respondent within five working days.

Appeals

Any respondent or complainant shall have the right to appeal the result of a discrimination investigation or formal hearing. Appeals must be made, in writing, to the Dean of Students (the Section 504 Coordinator for the College), Learning Resources Center, 724-480-3465 or the Affirmative Action Officer, Administrative Services Center, room 5106, 724-480-3379, within five calendar days after notification of decision for the hearing.

The Appeals Board will be appointed by the College President and consist of two students, two members of the faculty, and one administrator.

An appeal shall be limited to a review of the verbatim record of the initial hearing and supporting documents for one or more of the following criteria, except as required to explain the basis of new evidence:

New evidence comes to light that was not addressed at the hearing.

Due process was not provided in accordance with college guidelines.

Proof of false testimony at the hearing exists;

An unreasonable or arbitrary sanction was given; or

Other substantial irregularities occurred which played a role in the outcome of the hearing.

Of primary importance to the Appeals Board is the written statement. The written statement should be as complete as possible in setting forth the basis for the appeal as listed above. Clear and convincing reasons are necessary for a successful appeal.

The Appeals Committee shall make its recommendation to the College President within 10 calendar days after an appeal has been referred to it.

All questions in regard to this policy, questions about disabilities, and how to request reasonable accommodations should be directed to:

Director of Student Support Services

1 Campus Drive

Learning Resources Center Monaca, PA 15061

Phone: 724-480-3410

Services

A variety of services and auxiliary aids are provided for eligible students. Those services include, but are not limited to, the following:

Escorting – In some instances, students with specific physical needs may need assistance with opening doors and/or carrying books to classrooms. If this occurs, an escort will be provided. Personal care devices and/or attendants, however, are not provided.

Note-taking Assistance – Students with various disabilities may be eligible for note-taking assistance. An in-class note-taker, who is typically a classmate who shares his/her notes with a student who has a disability, may be arranged. The note-taker will be provided with special paper so that copies of notes will be available immediately after class.

Testing Accommodations – Extended time, a reduced distraction environment, test enlargement, scribe, use of text reader software, or other modifications to classroom testing may be provided for eligible students.

Lecture Recording – Digital and tape recorders and recording pens are available through the Access-Ability Center for students with this approved accommodation.

Sign-Language Interpreters – Students who require interpreting services must contact the Access-Ability Center at least six weeks prior to the start of the semester to allow for appropriate arrangements to be made.

Services Not Provided

Personal care attendants (i.e. assistance with toileting needs, meals, pushing wheelchairs, or assistance with homework), and personal devices (i.e. crutches, wheelchairs), do not come under the heading of accommodations. These are considered personal needs and are the exclusive responsibility of the student.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities in a Dual Enrollment Course when held at the high school.

When taking a college-level course, high school students with documented disabilities are eligible to receive accommodations. Accommodations at the college level may differ from those at the high school level. The college will not provide modifications to change the course content or performance expectations that would substantially alter the essential elements of the courses.

Audio Textbooks

Audio textbooks, in addition to Cengage books, may be available for qualifying students. A student who wishes to utilize this service should contact the Access-Ability Center. Text-to-speech software is available for use if textbooks are not available.

Parking Permits

Handicapped parking spaces are available in all lots on campus. A valid state-issued handicapped license plate or placard is required to use the spaces. PADOT application forms are available in the Access-Ability Center. For students with temporary disabilities, temporary parking permits may be issued by the office for one semester only.

Equipment

Use of audio textbooks
Voice-activated/ text reader software
Language translation software
Reading Machine
Talking/large digit calculators
Amigo magnifier/Desk projector magnification/ hand-held magnifiers
Echo pen/digital recorders/tape recorders
Tactile Image enhancer
Mylar color overlays
Adjustable desks
Adaptive computer workstations
Electronic spellcheckers/dictionaries
Intel Reader
Adaptive software (see staff for latest listing)

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