Mission Statement

The mission of the SUNY Rockland Community College Office of Disability Services, Student Affairs Division is to provide equal access and quality education for students with disabilities.

Contact Information

Accommodations Procedure

In order to receive instructional accommodations you must identify yourself as a student with a disability to the Office of Disability Services. Discussion must take place regarding accommodations that are deemed reasonable and are supported by the documentation. Accommodations must be arranged each semester you require them through the Office of Disability Services.

Accommodations for the English and Math Assessments

Accommodations for these assessments must be arranged through the Office of Disability Services prior to taking them. The accommodations will be granted based on appropriate documentation of the disability submitted to the office.

Admission to the College

The admission process is no different for a student with a disability than it is for any other student. There is no place on the application to disclose your disability. You do this by contacting the Office of Disability Services yourself. Remember, your high school will not do this for you. Only you (or your family, with your permission), may tell us about your disability.

Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act gave civil rights protections to people with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, government services and telecommunications.

Assistive Technology

Technology is changing everyday and the college continues to add new assistive technology we believe would benefit students with disabilities. Jaws and Kurzweil are two examples of software we have on main campus. Please discuss your specific technology needs with the office staff as soon as it is possible, some of these accommodations take time to put into place.

Campus Accessibility

The main campus is essentially accessible and the College is always working to improve its accessibility. Bathrooms with modifications are located in Academic I, Academic II, The Cultural Arts Center, Brucker Hall, the Library, the Fieldhouse and Building D. Telephones, lowered for wheelchairs and equipped with amplifiers are located in all buildings on main campus. All buildings with upper floors are equipped with accessible elevators.

Confidentiality

Information and documentation of your disability is held confidential by the Office of Disability Services. It can only be released with your specific written permission. Appropriate college officials may have access to the records kept by the Office of disability Services. Faculty do not have access to these records.

Disability Defined

"A physically disabled student is one who has a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Major life activities include such functions as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working." (1)

"A learning disability is a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, written or spoken which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, speak, read, write or do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual handicaps, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia and developmental aphasia. The term does not include those who have learning problems which are primarily the result of visual, hearing or motor handicaps, of (mental retardation), of emotional disturbance or of environmental, cultural or economic disadvantage." (2)

(1) - Section 504 Rehabilitation Act 1973

(2) - PL 94 - 142 (20 USC 1 - 401) Education of the Handicapped Act.

Temporary conditions are not included in these definitions and are not provided protection under Section 504 or the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Documentation of Disability

Documentation of an existing disability must come from an appropriate medical professional, such as medical reports, rehabilitation specialist's reports, psychological reports, VESID reports. The Office of Disability Services has the right to request additional documentation if the documentation provided is determined as inadequate. The college assumes no responsibility for providing needed documentation to establish disability. The Office of Disability Services will offer guidance about securing needed documentation. Documentation may include but is not limited to the following:

• High School IEP (most recent)
• Psychoeducational Evaluation (most recent)
• VESID reports
• Medical reports

Financial Aid

Any student who needs help finding financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office. Only financial aid counselors can assist you in completion of financial aid forms. New York State makes financial aid available to students with disabilities who attend part time.

Handicapped Parking

Specially designated parking spots for the individuals with disabilities are available in front of Building D, Academic I, the Fieldhouse, Cultural Arts. A student must have a county or state handicapped parking permit. Temporary Rockland Community College handicapped parking stickers can be arranged by the Office of Disability Services.