DISABILITY SERVICES

Classroom Accommodations

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Wayne Community College will give reasonable academic accommodations to eligible students in order to insure equal opportunity to students with disabilities.  Each student's accommodations are determined as a result of the documentation of the disability.  The Disability Services Counselor keeps the documentation on file and prepares the necessary notification for the appropriate faculty/staff.

The following are the types of accommodations commonly provided:

Interpreter Services
Sign Language interpreters are provided for deaf and hard of hearing students who request such services through the Disability Services Counselor.  Interpreter services should be requested as early as possible to allow time to make the necessary hiring arrangements, preferably before classes begin and before any other on campus needs.  It is the student's responsibility to notify the Disability Services Counselor immediately of any problems or schedule changes.

CART (Computer Aided Realtime Translation)
CART services will be provided when required by certain individuals.  A trained captionist uses special equipment and software to instantly translate the spoken word into print, which is displayed on a computer monitor.

Note Taker Services
Note Takers are provided for students whose disability prevents them from adequately taking notes in class.  This determination is made by the Disability Services Counselor based on the documentation of the disability.   NCR (No Carbon Required) paper is provided by the Disability Services office.

Books in Alternate Format
Textbooks on tape or CD are available from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D).  Recorded texts loaned from RFB&D are free of charge to students whose documentation supports the need for such texts.  Wayne Community College has an institutional membership in RFB&D.  It is the student's responsibility to order texts, although the Disability Services Counselor will assist.  Texts should be ordered at the earliest possible date.  Therefore, students are encouraged to contact their instructors for book assignments as soon as they register for classes.  Special book players are available on a loan basis from the Disability Services Counselor.  Some books may also be available in electronic format from publishers.  Disability Services may, on occasion, convert books to alternate formats, using equipment on campus.

Readers
Reader services may be provided for students with visual impairments or learning disabilities if warranted by the documentation.  Readers record text, course material, and tests onto audiotape.  They may also accompany a student to class or read aloud to a student depending on the circumstances or individual student preferences.  Reader services are coordinated by the Disability Services Counselor.

Tutoring
Students should request individual peer tutors from the Academic Skills Center as soon as they anticipate that they need one.  If their disability affects their learning style or the type of tutoring they will need, they are encouraged to share this information when applying for a tutor.  The Disability Services Counselor will assist in this process if requested.

Preferential Seating
It is important for some student to sit in the front row and near the instructor.  Front row seating generally limits distractions and allows opportunity for frequent eye contact with the instructor.  This is also important for visually impaired students who may need to be near the board and for hearing impaired students who rely on lip reading or an interpreter.

Testing Modifications
Testing in a distraction-reduced area, oral testing, and/or extended time on tests are accommodations available to students who have supporting documentation. Other testing modifications may be available and can be considered.

Priority Scheduling
Students who have disabilities which require classes at certain hours or need to be registered early to arrange accommodations such as taping of books or hiring interpreters can register early by contacting the Disability Services Counselor.

Attendance
Students who have chronic health conditions which may make it impossible for them to meet Wayne Community College 's attendance policy may be considered for an exception to the policy on an individual basis and with supporting documentation.  They should contact the Disability Services Counselor.  The final decision is made by a committee consisting of the Disability Services Counselor, the Director of Student Development, and the Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Student Services.

Personal Care
Wayne Community College does not provide services that are of a personal nature, i.e. pushing a wheelchair, restroom assistance, and feeding assistance.

Scribes
A scribe may be provided for students with mobility impairments or certain learning disabilities if warranted by the documentation. Scribing services are approved by the Disability Services Counselor and arranged through the Academic Skills Center.