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Accessibility Services

Accessibility Services

The mission of College of The Albemarle’s (COA) Accessibility Services is to adapt the school’s general services to the specialized individual needs of persons with disabilities, and provide equal access to all programs and facilities.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, COA is committed to equality of educational opportunities 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 will receive reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities, programs and activities.

Requests and Appeals

To schedule testing, please complete the testing accommodations request form.

You may request reasonable accommodations by registering with the Accessibility Coordinator. Please complete a request for accommodations form and submit documentation of the disability (as defined by the ADA and Section 504) completed by a qualified professional. Please allow a reasonable amount of time (about four weeks) for some accommodations to be implemented.

If you need accommodations for class, please submit your request four weeks in advance. Requests made after four weeks will be accommodated to the best of our ability.

Requests for accommodation without documentation will be kept on file for one year. If you enroll after a year or more, you will need to submit a new request, and in some cases provide updated documentation.
Documentation should include:

  • A current diagnostic statement identifying your 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 and services currently prescribed or in use
  • The credentials of the diagnosing professional
  • A description of expected progression or stability of the impact of your disability over time
  • Professional recommendations regarding accommodations and services

Once documentation is received the student and support representative will develop an accommodation plan based on the documentation and student’s specific needs, and an educational accommodation notices will be provided for the student to sign.

The Accessibility Coordinator will send your plan of accommodation to your professors at the beginning of every semester. It is the student’s responsibility to advise their professor when they would like to use their accommodations.

Testing accommodations must be requested through the Accessibility Coordinator 48 business hours before the exam. Plans of accommodation are valid for one academic year. At the beginning of each academic year, the student must update, and sign a new plan of accommodation. To schedule your test, please complete the testing accommodations request form.

Unsigned plans of accommodations will be kept on file for one year. If a student does not sign the plan of accommodation, the document will not be released to professors, and accommodations will not be provided.

Download Request Form

Accessibility Services for Dual-Enrolled High School Students

The requirements and procedures relating to accessibility services differ between public schools (K through 12) and colleges. The plan of accommodation provided by COA may not mirror accommodations provided in the high school setting. While we will try to maintain alignment, accommodations included in 504 and IEP plans written at the high school level may not always be offered through COA. The Accessibility Services Coordinator will review documentation provided by the student or high school, and develop a plan of accommodation based on the student’s needs. Once the plan of accommodation is developed, the Accessibility Coordinator will send it to the high school to be signed by the student and school representative and returned. Once the signed documents are received, the student’s professors will receive the accommodation notices.

Plans of accommodation must be updated and signed each calendar year. If receiving testing accommodations, students must request the accommodation 48 business hours before the exam.

High School and Postsecondary Disability Services Compared

Release of Confidential Information

Please provide the release of confidential information form to any doctors, schools or agencies that need to release information.

Release of Confidential Information

If you feel that you’ve received an improper accommodation or unfair treatment regarding your disability, please refer to Procedure 5.3.4.2 for instructions on how to start the appeal process.  Student Services is here to help you access COA’s educational opportunities, programs and activities, and we welcome your questions and feedback. Feel free to stop by our offices or call to schedule an appointment.

Contact

  • Wagner, Todd

  • Coordinator of Accessibility and Student Conduct - Student Success and Enrollment Management (SSEM)

  • COA – Elizabeth City: AE 131

  • 252-335-0821 ext. 2256