DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Marlboro Hall, Room 1042
Phone (v) 301.322.0838
(TTY) 301.322.0122
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Hours
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Monday-Thursday
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Friday
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8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Students with documented
disabilities may request academic accommodations through the Disability
Support Services Office (DSS). These services comply with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 which mandate program accessibility for students with
disabilities in postsecondary institutions receiving federal funds.
The college is obligated to provide reasonable
accommodations, auxiliary aids and services to qualified students
with disabilities to ensure their effective participation in all
college programs and services. Students do not have to disclose
a disability to the college if they are not requesting services.
However, for those students who choose to self-identify, they
must provide current documentation of disability to support reasonable
accommodations. They must also register, pay for courses, and
bring their paid receipt to DSS one month prior to the
beginning of classes to avoid delays in service.
For students who are recent graduates from high school, there
are some important differences between high school and college
in the provision of support services and accommodations.
- First, you will be moving from entitlement to services
(mandatory accommodations) to eligibility for services
(having to request accommodations). This means that you
will not likely receive all of the accommodations you enjoyed
in high school. However, you will have many support services
available to you on campus such as tutoring, academic advising,
and mentoring to name a few. You will also be expected to read
and write at high levels, increase your independence, ask for
support (self-advocacy skills), and seek out resources. The
college has many resources available to you such as the library
(Accokeek Hall), the tutoring, writing and grammar center (Accokeek,
Third Floor), the learning assistance lab (Marlboro Hall 2129),
and various computer labs (Lanham 112).
- Second, you will be viewed as an adult responsible for decisions
regarding your academic program and use of services. You are
responsible for notifying the Disability Support Service office
(M-1042) as to the nature of your disability and work with DSS
staff to identify appropriate accommodations. You may
call the DSS office to set up an initial interview appointment
with the DSS Manager after you have registered and paid
for classes. Additionally, you have a right to a private and
confidential meeting without the presence of your parent or
guardian.
- Third, you are responsible for providing all documentation
supporting your disability, particularly in cases where the
disability is not obvious. The college does not offer psychoeducational
assessment to establish the existence of a learning disability.
It is very important that you keep copies of any psychoeducational
testing results done in high school.
Note: An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and Section
504 Plan do not provide sufficient documentation
when requesting reasonable accommodations and will not
be use to grant accommodations. You must present a psychological
report, psychoeducational evaluation, or other documentation
approved by the DSS manager. These reports should be no older
than three years.
- Fourth, the student must contact DSS if he or she is requesting
a sign language interpreter or notetaker services one
month before classes start. The student must
have registered and paid for classes at the time
that he/she makes the request for an interpreter or notetaker.
ENROLLMENT STEPS FOR DSS STUDENTS
- Complete and submit an application to the Admissions Office (L-112) at Prince George's Community College. There is an application fee of $25.00 dollars payable in cash, check, credit card or money order.
- Take the ACCUPLACER (Computerized Placement Test) in BH-100. The test is untimed. If you require accommodations for testing, please contact the Disability Support Services Office at (301) 322-0838 voice or (301) 322-0122 TTY. The test will assess academic skill levels in reading, written expression, and mathematics. You may contact the Student Assessment Center at (301) 322-0090.
- If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Financial Aid Office (TO-100) can provide assistance with forms and questions and can be reached at (301) 322-0822. You must bring proof of residency, income, and current year tax information.
- Meet with an Educational Advisor/Counselor (TS Bldg.) to discuss placement test scores and receive academic advising (i.e., major, courses, transfer, etc.). Advising and Career Services can be reached at (301) 322-0151.
- Register and pay for your courses (Admissions, L-112/Cashier's, L-112). You will need to bring a copy of your schedule and paid receipt to Disability Support Services, M-1042 at least one month prior to the beginning of classes to avoid delays in service.
- Make an appointment with the DSS Manager to discuss academic accommodations. You are responsible for bringing current medical or educational documentation to this meeting. This is usually a doctor's letter indicating your strengths and limitations and/or a psychological or psychoeducational assessment if you have learning disabilities.
Note: Students may experience a delay in receiving auxiliary services (i.e., interpreting, notetaking, recorded textbooks, etc.) for both credit and non-credit courses, if they register late and do not provide adequate documentation to support reasonable accommodations. An IEP is not sufficient documentation to warrant reasonable accommodations. You will be asked to provide a complete psychological report or psychoeducational report.
Services Provided in DSS
Accommodations are determined on a case by
case basis after consultation with the DSS manager. Possible services
may include:
- Academic, personal, transfer, and career counseling to students
- Sign language interpreters (both from staff and contract interpreting
agencies)
- Wheelchair accessible desk/tables
- Extended test time and alternate testing locations (quiet
environment)
- Permission to tape record class lectures and recorded textbooks
as required
- Support services to students with visual, physical, sensory
and psychological disabilities
- Referrals to community agencies
- Use of adaptive technology
Acceptable forms of documentation:
- Psychological report (full write-up)
- Woodcock Johnson Battery Revised (report)
- Neuropsychological evaluation
- Psychological report (full write-up)
- Letter from doctor (with diagnosis, functional limitations
and educational limitations)
Note: Accommodations are designed to provide
each student with equal access in the classroom and do not
change the academic standards, requirements, and code of conduct
required of all students.
Links of Interest
Teaching Students With Disabilities
Association of Higher Education And Disability
www.ahead.org
Learning Disabilities
www.learningdifferences.com
Maryland Technology Assistance Program
www.mdtap.org
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
www.cbl.org
You may direct questions concerning
Disability Support Services
by E-mail: DSS@pgcc.edu
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