Student Affairs: Students with Disabilities

An individual with a disability is defined as a person who; (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities; (2) has a record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such impairment. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, and performing manual tasks. When provided with reasonable and appropriate accommodations, students with a disability can be successful in college and beyond.

General Information on Learning Disability:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination solely on the basis of disability in employment, public services, and accommodations. The person must be otherwise qualified for the program, service, or job. The basic requirement of the law as applied to institutions of higher education is: all programs, services, and facilities must be accessible to, or usable by persons with disabilities. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College must provide reasonable accommodations to ensure the participation of students in college classes and student activities to all qualified students with disabilities.

Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states: No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States…shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Disability Services Student Handbook

Disability Services Faculty Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions:

What do I do if I have a disability and need accommodations?
Students requesting disability accommodations should stop by the Student Affairs Counselor’s office and fill out an Accommodation Request Form and discuss what other documentation will be needed for accommodations to be granted.

What is meant by a “reasonable accommodation?"
Reasonable accommodations are made in order to level the playing field for qualified individuals with disabilities. As much as possible, accommodations are designed to minimize the functional limitations of an individual in a given task.

These adjustments permit students with disabilities the opportunity to learn by removing barriers that do not compromise academic standards. Thus, wherever possible the disability is minimized as a measure of performance in the academic environment. This is typically accomplished with services or strategies focused on the end result, rather than the means by which that result is customarily achieved.

What should I do if I think I have a disability?
If you think you have a disability, you should contact the Student Affairs Counselor to review what options you have and what steps you will need to take to get proper documentation in order for you to receive accommodations.

What accommodations are possible at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College?
There are several options for reasonable accommodations at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. The most common used accommodations are:

• Extended test taking time.
• Isolation during testing.
• Use of a calculator (with instructors permission).
• Permission to tape record class lectures.
• Use of laptop or word processor for assignments.
• Note taking assistance.
• Test reading.
• Extended time on or out of classroom assignments.
• Preferential seating.

What type of documentation do I need to receive an accommodation for learning, psychological, or processing related disability?
In order to receive accommodations for learning, psychological, or processing related disability, all colleges are required to have one or more of the following:

• A high school Individual Education Plan (IEP), or a 504 Plan.
• A psycho educational evaluation (Preferred).

These documents MUST BE LESS THAN FIVE YEARS OLD and must verify the following:

• The nature of the disability.
• The functional limitations the disability imposes.
• The need for a specific accommodation.

What type of documentation do I need to receive an accommodation for a physical disability?
If you are seeking accommodations because of a physical disability, you will need a letter from a licensed health professional, including any additional supporting information, which verifies:

• The nature of the disability.
• The functional limitations the disability imposes.
• The need for a specific accommodation.

***Other arrangements may be available. Please contact the Student Affairs Counselor to discuss what options Blue Ridge Community and Technical College can provide.

Downloadable and Printable Accommodation / Information Request Form

This is required by all students who are requesting accommodations at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Submit this form and a copy of your schedule to the Student Affairs Counselor.

For more information contact the Student Affairs Office