Getting started: procedures for obtaining academic accommodations for a disability
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, GCC offers accommodations and/or auxiliary aids for eligible students with documented disabilities. Students must request services and must provide appropriate medical documentation. To obtain accommodations, please do the following:
- Complete and sign the Voluntary Statement of Learning Needs and Release of Information.
- Obtain up to date copies of medical documentation of your disability from your high school or from the medical provider who is most familiar with your needs and your disability. Medical documentation provided must clearly state your diagnosis and should describe the symptoms which impact your ability to function in the educational environment and specific recommendations for accommodations. For detailed information about GCC’s documentation guidelines, please refer to our "Guidelines for Documenting a Disability." All documentation received by the college is strictly confidential and is held in accordance with FERPA and related regulations.
- Submit completed GCC forms (Voluntary Statement and Release) along WITH copies of your medical documentation to the Office of Disability Services for processing. Based on the information provided by you in combination with information from your medical documentation, Disability Services will draft an Accommodation Agreement (ADA/504 Plan) that outlines what specific accommodations you are eligible for which you can present to your course instructors each semester to advise them of your needs.
- After steps 1 – 3 above have been completed and your eligibility for
accommodations has been determined you will be contacted by Disability Services
and referred to a GCC academic counselor to pick up an Accommodation Agreement
(ADA/504 Plan). If you do not receive a referral to an academic counselor within
three weeks of submitting your initial request for accommodations please contact
Disability Services to confirm the receipt of your forms and medical documentation.
Students do not need to register with Disability Services in order to meet with an academic counselor or to access college support services. Students who feel that they may require some additional academic support and skill building are encouraged to take advantage of the many services that are available, such as peer tutoring, the writing and math assistance programs and the math studio.
Please be aware that accommodations may take up to 12 weeks to obtain, so students are strongly advised to establish eligibility with Disability Services for services and meet with a GCC academic counselor well before the semester begins.