Disability Support Services
Our Purpose
The purpose of Disability Support Services (DSS) is to adapt the College's general services to the specialized individual needs of otherwise qualified students with disabilities, for the purpose of providing equal access to all programs and facilities.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, College of the Albemarle is committed to equality of educational opportunity and ensures that no qualified person shall by reason of a disability be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of any program or activity operated by the College. Each qualified person shall receive reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities, programs, and activities.
Click here to access the Disability Support Services Student Handbook.
Requesting Services
Students who request reasonable accommodations must self identify and register with the Office of Disability Support Services. Elizabeth City and Edenton-Chowan students should contact the Director of Disability Support Services/Counselor while Dare students should contact the Assistant Dean of Student Development.
A student requesting reasonable accommodations must complete a Request for Accommodations Form and submit documentation of the disability (as defined by the ADA and Section 504) by a qualified professional.
The documentation should include:
- a current diagnostic statement identifying the disability
- the date of the current diagnostic evaluation
- the date of the original diagnosis
- a description of the diagnostic criteria and/or the diagnostic test used
- a description of the current functional impact
- all treatments, medications, assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use
- the credentials of the diagnosing professional
- professional recommendations regarding accommodations and services.
For more documentation information on various disability types, select from the following:Learning Disabilities (LD)
Medical/Mobility/Sensory Impairments
Psychiatric/Psychological Disorders
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders
The student and the Director of Disability Support Services/Counselor or the Assistant Dean of Student Development will develop an accommodation plan based on sufficient documentation and individual needs. Educational Accommodation Notices will be provided to the student. The student will be responsible for notifying instructors of reasonable accommodations and providing the notices to instructors.
Self- identification and providing documentation can be initiated at any time; however, the student must allow reasonable time (4 weeks) for some accommodations to be implemented.
Differences in Programs (High School, College, Huskins, Dual Enrolled)
The requirements and procedures relating to disability services vary between public schools (K12) and college. To learn more, visit our Program Differences page. Additional information is also available for our Huskins Program students. Dual Enrolled students should follow the same procedures as other college students.
Release of Confidential Information
Please provide the Release of Confidential Information Form to doctors, schools, or other agencies needing to release information.
Assistive Technology
COA provides sites with assistive technology.
Appeals Procedures for Issues Concerning Disability Support Services
An instructor or student who believes that an accommodation is not appropriate or a student who believes that he or she has received unfair or improper treatment regarding a disability should address the problem informally through discussion with the Disability Support Services Director/Counselor at the Elizabeth City or Edenton-Chowan campus or the Assistant Dean, Student Development Services at the Dare campus.
The Director, Disability Support Services/ Counselor (Elizabeth City or Edenton-Chowan Campus) or the Assistant Dean, Student Development Services (Dare County Campus) may convene a meeting with the individuals involved to resolve the concern.
If the concern is not resolved satisfactorily, the instructor or student may submit a formal appeal in writing to the Vice President, Student Development or designee. In order to ensure a prompt resolution, the appeal must be submitted as soon as possible and no later than 10 college working days after the alleged improper treatment occurred. The appeal must be dated and signed by the student and must include the following:
* A detailed description of the alleged improper treatment;
* An identification of the person, policy, or procedure against whom or what the appeal is filed;
* An explanation of the steps taken in an effort to resolve the appeal at the informal level; and
* A description of the instructor's or student's idea of a satisfactory resolution.
The Vice President, Student Development or designee may resolve the concern or may refer the concern to the Disability Support Services Committee. The Disability Support Services Committee will hear the concern, determine a resolution and provide written notification of the findings and resolution to all involved parties within 10 college working days.
The student may make a written appeal to the President of the college within 5 working days of receiving the resolution from the Vice President, Student Development or the Disability Support Services Committee. The President's decision will be final.
A student with a serious concern may also have the right to file a complaint with designated federal agencies. The student should contact the Vice President, Student Development for further information.
Contact Information - Disability Support Services
Elizabeth City Campus
Andrea Temple (252)335-0821, Ext. 2277 atemple@albemarle.edu
Director of Disability Support Services/ Counselor
P.0. Box N. Road Street Elizabeth City , North Carolina 27906-2327
Building A Room 119
Fax: (252) 335-2011
Edenton-Chowan Campus
Betty Newman (252) 482-7900, ext. 2404 bjnewman@albemarle.edu
Advisor/Activities Coordinator
Susan McRae (252-482-7900, ext. 2402 smcrae@albemarle.edu
Counselor/Advisor
1316-C North Broad Street
Edenton, NC 27932
Fax (252) 482-7999
Dare Campus
Laura Katz (252) 473-2264, Ext. 227 lekatz@albemarle.edu
Director, Counseling and Testing
132 Russell Twiford Road Manteo , North Carolina 27954
Tech. Building
Fax: (252) 473-5497