The Office of Disability Services coordinates and provides a variety of services for students with physical and learning disabilities. Our aim is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all programs offered at College of Coastal Georgia.

To qualify for services, students must self disclose by filling out a Voluntary Disclosure Form (available in the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Disability Services, and the Camden Center). Students must provide documentation of their disability from a qualified health professional. CCGA does not offer separate classes for students with disabilities. Through the assistance of the Office of Disability Services and other support services on campus, CCGA strives to provide a quality educational experience for all qualified students with disabilities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require that post-secondary institutions provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified students with disabilities to ensure that they have equal access to course content and equal opportunity to demonstrate that they have mastered the material. Students with disabilities must meet all admission requirements and academic standards. Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and may include learning disability, ADD, acquired brain injury, psychological disorders and pervasive developmental disorders, sensory impairment, mobility impairment and chronic medical illness.

The University System of Georgia sets standards for documentation of disability. The Regents’ Center for Learning Disorders at Georgia Southern University is one of three regional centers created by the University System of Georgia to assist disability service offices at institutions in the southern part of the state. RCLD staff review documentation of learning disability, ADD, acquired brain injury, and psychological disorders and pervasive developmental disorders to ensure that it meets system requirements and approve accommodations. The RCLD also provides comprehensive psycho-educational assessments to students for a fee.

Students who need more information should contact Jean Fleming Director of Counseling and Student Support in the Student Affairs Office, on the 2nd floor of the Andrews Student Services Building. The phone number is (912) 279- 5803. Toll free number is 1-800-675 – 7235.

Procedure for Receiving Academic Accommodations

Student Responsibilities

Self-identify to the Office of Disability Services (DS).
Participate in an intake interview with DS.
Provide current, sufficient documentation of the disability that meets Board of Regents standards for documentation. DS can make referrals to assist with obtaining documentation.
Pick up Accommodation Letter from DS and share it with professors at beginning of semester.
If student is using test accommodations and taking tests with DS, he or she is responsible for.
Scheduling the tests with DS.

Available Accommodations
The most frequently used accommodations are:

Extra time on tests
Low distraction test room
Use of word processor with spell-check for essay exams
Use of calculator for math exams
Permission to tape record lectures
Assistance finding a volunteer note taker in class
Enlargement of printed materials
Books on tape or read-aloud CDs
Assistive listening devices
Relocation of inaccessible classrooms
Priority seating in front of class
Special desk
Access to adaptive technology.

Accommodations vary with the type of disability and the student’s individual needs. The university provides accommodations to the student at no charge. Accommodations must be supported by appropriate disability documentation. Accommodations do not provide a guarantee of academic success, only equal access.

Faculty Responsibilities

Understand that campus compliance with the ADA is a shared responsibility.
Understand that many students are very uncomfortable discussing their disabilities. Be respectful and keep the information confidential. Don’t press for more information.
Carefully read the Accommodation Letter and sign the Faculty Accommodation Form.
Keep your copy of the Accommodation Letter.
If a student has test accommodations, discuss and decide if you can handle them or need DS to do so.
If a student approaches you and requests accommodations for a disability, but does not have an Accommodation Letter from DS, refer them to DS and encourage them to follow through. Do NOT give a student accommodations until the student has completed the process with DS. If you have questions or the student requests additional accommodations that are not mentioned on the Accommodation letter, call DS.
Understand that every student might not need every accommodation on his or her Accommodation Letter in each class. Needs vary and the student may decide that he or she does not need all the accommodations listed. If a student decides not to use accommodations, he or she is responsible for the consequences.
Consider adding a disability statement to your class syllabus that encourages students with disabilities to obtain an Accommodation letter from DS and to make an appointment to see you to discuss their Accommodation letter.

Handling Test Accommodations

All students who have been approved for accommodations receive Accommodation Letters each semester to show to their professors. The Accommodation Letter outlines the student's approved accommodations. It is the student's responsibility to pick up their letters each semester, discuss their needs and accommodations with their professors, and have their professors signs it. The student is responsible for returning the signed Accommodation Letter to the Office of Disability Services each semester.

Review the Accommodation Letter with the student. If the student needs testing accommodations, discuss how the tests will be handled. If you want to provide the test accommodations and can do so, DS encourages you to do so.
If the student needs test accommodations that you can’t provide, DS can administer the test for you.
Complete an Exam Accommodation Form provided by the student. Include specific directions such as how the test will be received by DS and returned to you. Include a list of any approved materials that can be used, such as formula sheets, calculator, periodic table, etc.
The student is responsible for returning the test accommodation form to DS to schedule testing.
Please do not put tests in the interoffice mail or give them to the student to transport!