Introduction

The Tennessee Technology Center at Whiteville (TTCW) is committed to providing opportunities and accommodations in higher education to all academically qualified students with disabilities. This commitment is consistent with the Center’s obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

It is the responsibility of the student to seek available assistance at the Center and to make his/her needs known.

Disability Services is a Center resource that provides educational support services and programmatic access promoting barrier-free environments (physical, programs, information) which means ensuring the rights of people with disabilities and meeting its obligations under federal and state statutes.

TTCW affirms that no qualified person, by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the Center. Each qualified person shall receive reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting.

Philosophy and Mission

To provide services and promote an accessible environment which allows people with disabilities an equal opportunity for participation in educational and other Center activities.

Strives to improve access to Center programs, activities and facilities for students with disabilities

Statement of Purpose

•Offers selective student services which are not provided by other Center

offices

•Assists students in negotiating disability-related barriers to their pursuit of

education

•Promotes increased awareness of disability issues on campus

Disability Services coordinates access to reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities when the student has a documented disability from a qualified professional. Indivualized services are available to the student as determined by the Student Disability Services based on the specific disability and academic program the student pursues while enrolled.

Definition

Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities; a record of such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment. Qualified individuals with a disability are defined as an individual who, with or without reasonable modifications and accommodations, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the program services and activities offered by the Center.

Types of Disabilities

Students attending the TTCW may receive services for one or more of the following disabilities:

•Hearing impairments

•Orthopedic/mobility impairments

•Learning disabilities/ADD, ADHD, Dyslexic

•Visual impairments

•Medical disabilities

•Psychiatric disabilities

This list does not include all types of disabilities for which services are provided but merely exemplifies most frequently served disabilities.

Procedures for Accommodations

In order to receive “reasonable accommodations” as set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with disabilities must meet the following guidelines:

•Be self identified to the Student Disability Services Office

•Provide current documentation of the disability (Documentation is

defined as a written summary from a professional who is licensed

to practice in the field appropriate for diagnosing and/or treating

the disability in question.)

Students are assured accommodations only when documentation is on file in the Office of Student Services. This documentation will be kept confidential and used for verification assessment purposes only.

Information provided to Student Services has absolutely no effect on one’s admission to TTCW or student status.

Academic Accessibility

Students with disabilities entering the TTCW for the first time should contact Student Disability Services prior to their first trimester of enrollment. If a student is unable to perform certain academic tasks in the traditional manner because of a disability, reasonable accommodations can be arranged to allow alternative methods of meeting requirements. Such accommodations are discussed on an individual basis and in the spirit of equalizing opportunities rather than altering standards or waiving requirements.

It is the student’s responsibility, along with the Student Disability Services, to notify and provide faculty the appropriate forms. The Accommodation Form must be requested by the student and presented to the instructor by the student at the beginning of each term.

Common Academic Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are individualized and based on the nature of the of the disability and the academic environment. The following is a partial list of academic accommodations and services received by students with disabilities:

•Accessible classroom/location/furniture

•Assistance in coordinating auxiliary aids and services (i.e., note takers, tape

recorders, books on tape, large print)

•Assistance from sign language interpreters

•Assistive listening devices

•Modification of exam conditions (i.e., extended test time, distraction free

areas)

The Tennessee Technology Center at Whiteville is one of 46 institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, the sixth largest system of higher education in the nation. The Tennessee Board of Regents is the governing board for this system which is comprised of 6 universities, 13 two-year colleges, and 27 Tennessee Technology Centers, which provide programs to over 180,000 students in 90 of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

The Tennessee Technology Center at Whiteville holds membership in and is accredited by the Commission on Occupational Education, located at 41 Perimeter Center East, NE, Suite 640, Atlanta, GA 30346.