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Academic Accessibility Services

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES AT SWCC

Director of Academic Accessibility Services: Dionne Cook
Dellinger Hall, room 225 in Admissions
276-964-7301
Dionne.Cook@sw.edu

SWCC is committed to arranging appropriate accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Amended Act of 1990. All documentation is stored securely, treated confidentially, and is not considered part of the academic transcript

HOW TO REGISTER WITH THE ACCESSIBILITY OFFICE

Students must self-disclose their disability status in college, which is very different from the secondary school system (PreK-12).

  • Students can self-disclose to an instructor, or an advisor, or contact the Director of Academic Accessibility Services directly in Admissions – Dellinger Hall, Room 225.
  • Students should set up an Eligibility Appointment with the Director by calling 276-964-7301 or emailing dionne.cook@sw.edu.
  • Students must meet with the Director prior to the beginning of each semester.
  • Accommodations will not automatically carry over each semester.
  • Instructors will not provide accommodations until they receive notice from the Director.

DOCUMENTATION

If the student has an IEP and/or 504 Plan that is less than 3 years old, SWCC can use this to establish eligibility for services. However, bear in mind that these documents may be insufficient as a sole form of documentation, as both are required under laws that do not apply once the student attends college.

Any diagnostic documentation from treating healthcare providers should state specific results of the evaluation process and include any relevant test scores.

The Director will communicate if any additional documentation is needed to the student at the Eligibility Appointment

ACCOMMODATIONS

Once the Eligibility Interview is complete, the Director will notify the student by email as to their eligibility status and forward the Approved Accommodations Form to the student’s instructors. Academic accommodations will be provided based on functional limitations verified by the documentation.

Accommodations may include:

  • Extended time for timed testing
  • Read-aloud services for testing
  • Supervised breaks during proctored testing
  • Private room testing (proctored and non-proctored)
  • Audio recording of in-class lectures
  • Closed-captioning on video-recorded lectures
  • Assistive & adaptive technology
  • American Sign Language interpreter services
  • Preferred seating in the classroom
  • Instructor notes & presentations, if not already available

TESTING

Instructors reserve the right to deliver accommodations themselves as appropriate, but there are times when the classroom setting is not the best environment to deliver this level of support. The Office of Academic Accessibility Services will administer all testing accommodations as needed and communicated by the instructor.

Students must work with their instructor/s on scheduling all assessments (quizzes, tests, exams) that require accommodations. Instructors will communicate directly with Academic Accessibility Services regarding scheduling for each student.

NOTE TO FACULTY & STUDENTS REGARDING TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS:

  • Students are required to request any needed accommodation at least 48 hours prior to each test by contacting Academic Accessibility Services and their instructor.
  • If a reader or scribe is needed then the test will be administered on the main campus.
  • For all testing accommodations, the student is expected to take the test on the regularly scheduled day and provide advance notice of needing the accommodation.
  • Faculty are expected to submit all testing information to Academic Accessibility Services at least 24 hours prior to the due date.
  • Faculty are expected to contact Academic Accessibility Services if they need assistance to implement these accommodations.

SERVICE ANIMAL POLICY

In compliance with applicable law, Southwest generally allows service animals in its buildings, classrooms, meetings, dining areas, recreational facilities, activities, and events when the animal is accompanied by an individual with a disability who indicates the service animal is trained to provide and does provide, a specific service to them that is directly related to their disability.

For more information, download the SWCC Service Animal Policy

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