Students who have a disability and need special accommodations are encouraged to contact the DSS office as soon as possible to ensure that the accommodations are implemented in a timely manner.

To be eligible for disability services through DSS, students must follow the following guidelines:

1. Make an appointment with the DSS Coordinator to get registered for disability services. Note: It is strongly recommended that an appointment is made prior to scheduling the entrance exam.

2. Present current and appropriate documentation of the disability that meets the DSS documentation requirements. Please see Forms page for specific documentation guidelines.

All students requesting disability services must have a documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under this legislation, a person has a disability if he or she has:

(a) A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (such as walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, sitting, breathing, reading, learning, thinking, performing manual tasks, taking care of oneself, etc.);

(b) Has a record of such an impairment; or

(c) Is regarded as having such an impairment.

In addition, students must be considered “otherwise qualified,” which means that with or without accommodations the student must be able to meet all of the essential requirements set forth by a college’s program. The college is not required to alter or waive any essential requirements of a program in order to allow a disabled student to participate.