Student Rights

Your rights as an individual with a disability are protected under federal law; primarily Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of of 1973. It is as follows:

"No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United states...shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by an institution receiving federal financial assistance."

These are the major points of the law:

Students with disabilities must be given equal opportunity to gain the same results or level of achievement as non-disabled students.
The college does not have to change any requirements of a course that are essential to show you have mastered the course.
However, if there is a part of the course that is not essential, and that part is preventing you from displaying your ability to master the content of the course, the college must alter its methods.
The results of tests should reflect your level of achievement in the course, and not your area of disability.

As an example, let's say your disability is in the area of written language. You are taking an American History class in which the instructor gives an essay exam on the course material. You are able to understand, remember and explain the course material. However, your spelling is so poor you can't get your thoughts down on paper and your instructor can't decipher what you have written.

Learning the causes of the Civil War is an essential requirement of American History, showing you can spell is not. In this case, it would be appropriate for you to either use a spell checker, tape record your answers, or have a scribe write the answers you dictate. In this way, the instructor is grading you on your knowledge of the course material and not on your disability.

Student Responsibilities

Before any academic accommodations or adjustment will be arranged, the GCC student must give the Center for Students with Disabilities adequate and verifiable evidence of disability.

Upon applying for services from the CSD, the student agrees to the following:

Student must identify himself/herself to the Center for Students with Disabilities.
Student will provide the CSD with the information, documentation, and/or forms (medical, educational, etc.) deemed necessary by the CSD in order to verify the disability and recommended/requested accommodations.
Student will meet with a CSD counselor to complete a Student Educational Contract, and agree to meet with that professional at least annually to update the Student Educational Contract.
Student will utilize the CSD programs and services in a responsible manner.
Student agrees that the CSD uses written service provision policies and procedures that must be adhered to for continuation of services.
Student must comply with the Student Code of Conduct adopted by the college.
Student agrees to use approved services appropriately, and recognizes that failure to do so may result in suspension or termination of services.
Student assumes responsibility for loaned equipment and agrees not to allow another individual to use such equipment.
Student agrees that CSD services may be terminated if he/she fails to make measurable progress toward the goals established in the Student Educational Contract.

Specifically, the student should be prepared to agree to the following:

I will provide the Disabled Student Programs and Services with the information, documentation, and/or forms (medical, educational, etc.) deemed necessary by DSP&S to verify my disability.
I will meet with a Disabled Student Programs and Services professional to complete a Student Educational Contract, and agree to meet with the professional at least annually to update the Student Educational Contract.

Standards of Student Conduct

Regardless of the type or severity of disability, all students are required to adhere to the Standards of Student Conduct. When these policies are violated, students with disabilities are subject to the same consequences as nondisabled students. A disability will not be considered as an excuse for inappropriate behavior.

Arranging for Accommodations

It is the student's responsibility to begin making arrangements for accommodations as near to the beginning of the semester as possible. Begin by having your accommodations approved by a Specialist or your counselor. Instructors are asked not to agree to an accommodation that has not been approved by CSD.

If it is difficult for you to take tests/ exams under standard conditions, you may have test proctoring approved. If you will be taking your tests on a computer, you will need to see a Specialist in the High Tech Center. After evaluating your computer skills and educational limitations, they may have you complete a blue form for test proctoring.

If your tests will be on paper, not computer, your test proctoring arrangements will be made with a Learning Specialist in the IAC. After evaluating your educational limitations, they may have you complete a green form for test proctoring.

You will then take your form to your instructor, thus alerting them that you will be having your tests proctored by CSD.

Resolving Problems

Occasionally, disagreements or misunderstandings about a student's right to accommodations do occur between students and instructors. If you run into difficulty, please don't hesitate to speak with a Learning Specialist. We will work with you to come up with a plan of action that seems fair to you, without harming your relationship with your instructor.

It is also possible for a student to run into complications with a member of the CSD staff. If you don't feel comfortable speaking with the staff member directly, it is appropriate to contact Associate Dean Joy Cook in SR, 2nd Floor.

If, after having taken these steps, you still feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against, your next alternative is to speak with the Section 504 coordinator; this is Dr. Richard Perez, Vice President of Student Services.

The Procedures for Providing Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities are completely outlined in Section AR5119 of the GCC Board Policies and Administrative Regulations.