Access Services FAQ

1. I have a disability and want accommodations for placement testing and in classes. What do I do?
2. When do I contact Randolph College?
3. I am transferring from another college and I have accommodations. Can I get accommodations at Randolph College?
4. What types of classroom accommodations are considered?
5. How do I Request Accommodations?
6. How do I let my instructors know about my need for accommodations?
7. I have a disability but no current documentation/Or- I think I have a disability that interferes with my academic performance but I have never been tested. What should I do?
8. Will I receive the same accommodations that I received in high school?
9. What Documentation Do I Need?
10. Are 504 Plans and IEP’s accepted for use in documentation of a disability at the college level?
11. I broke my wrist during sports practice last week. Can the Coordinator of Access Services help me?
12. I have a disability and do not need any accommodations. Do I have to see the Coordinator of Access Services?
13. I don’t want anyone to know that I have a disability or need accommodations. How is this handled?
14. Who needs to know about my disability?
15. What role do my parents play in the process?
16. What services are available for visitors to campus?

I have a disability and want accommodations for placement testing and in classes. What do I do?

Students with disabilities or chronic health problems are encouraged to identify themselves as early as possible. The Coordinator of Access Services will be glad to explain the process and can help you obtain necessary documents. Students with documented disabilities may qualify for an alternate placement testing format and/or academic accommodations.

When do I contact Randolph College?

You can disclose your disability at any time but the best time to deal with this is at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you are accepted.

I am transferring from another college and I have accommodations. Can I get accommodations at Randolph College?

Yes, we can review your documentation or get information from the institution you are transferring from and make sure it meets Randolph College guidelines.

What types of classroom accommodations are considered?

Typical accommodations depend on how your disability affects you and include, but are not limited to, extended time on tests, alternative testing locations, note takers, scribes, tutors, recorded materials, large print materials, etc.

How do I Request Accommodations?

Disclosure of disabilities is voluntary; however, in order to ensure equal access to programs and services, students are required to contact the Coordinator of Access Services and to provide appropriate professional documentation of a disability. Students are required to request accommodations through Coordinator of Access Services in order to receive appropriate accommodations.

The following procedure should ensure that you receive the appropriate and reasonable accommodations that will assist you in gaining equal access:

1. As early in the semester as possible (or soon after acceptance or diagnosis of a disability) you should initiate contact with the Coordinator of Access Services in the Academic Services Center (ASC) to request accommodations. At this time, you can provide the Coordinator with documentation regarding your disability or discuss how to get needed documentation.
2. The Coordinator of Access Services will review all documentation. Recommendations from documentation and consultation with the student are both used to determine accommodations. Final determination of accommodations rests with the college.
3. At your request a “Letter of Accommodation” will be provided for you to give to faculty. You should plan on meeting with the Coordinator of Access Services at the beginning of each semester to request accommodations and review how the disability effects you. At that meeting we will explore appropriate and reasonable accommodations that you may choose to use in a particular context.
4. If you are a continuing student, you should come in and get your Accommodation letter for the new semester.
5. If difficulties occur in the actual provision of approved accommodations and you are unsuccessful in resolving those issues, they you may appeal to Coordinator of Access Services and request assistance with securing the appropriate accommodations. The Coordinator will work with both the student and the faculty member or department to arrive at an appropriate resolution.

If you would like additional information about requesting accommodations and services, please contact Diane Roy, Coordinator of Access Services at (434) 947-8132 or by email at droy@randolphcollege.edu .

How do I let my instructors know about my need for accommodations?

The Coordinator of Access Services works with you and the documentation you provide to develop a Letter of Accommodations that verifies the appropriate accommodations you need based on your documentation. You then set up an appointment with each instructor at the beginning of each semester in each class even if you are not sure you will need accommodations (you never know what may come up!). Give them a copy of the letter and discuss your needs with them. In doing that, you can use the accommodations you need and if you don’t feel you need accommodations in a class, it is your right to choose not to use them. Accommodations are not granted retroactively so it is important to set them up early.

I have a disability but no current documentation/Or- I think I have a disability that interferes with my academic performance but I have never been tested. What should I do?

If you do not have current documentation we can:

• look at the documentation you do have,
• look at your school history and what accommodations you may have received before,
• determine if newer documentation is needed.

The Coordinator of Access Services does not conduct testing for disabilities. If you are interested in being tested, the Coordinator is available to discuss the your concerns and has a referral list of specialists in the area.

Will I receive the same accommodations that I received in high school?

Requested accommodations must be consistent with the College’s academic goals and standards. Accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis, based upon individual student’s requests. Therefore, accommodations may vary, are required to be reasonable, and are subject to the current needs of the student. Students should not assume that accommodations provided in high school will be provided in college.

What Documentation Do I Need?

The guidelines below were developed to assist you in working with your treating professional(s) to prepare the information needed to evaluate your request. If, after reading these guidelines, you have any questions, please contact the Coordinator of Access Services, Diane Roy (434) 947-8132.

As appropriate to the disability, the documentation should include the following six elements:

1. A diagnostic statement identifying the disability, date of the most current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original diagnosis.
2. A description of the diagnostic tests, methods, and/or criteria used.This description should include the specific results of the diagnostic procedures, diagnostic tests used, and when administered. When available, both summary and specific test scores should be reported as standard scores. It would be helpful if the most recent evaluation has been conducted within the past 3 years but discussions can be held to review past documentation and see what may be needed.
3. A description of the current functional impact of the disability which includes specific test results and the examiner’s narrative interpretation.The current functional impact on physical, perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral abilities should be described either explicitly or through the provision of specific results from the diagnostic procedure.
4. Treatment, medications, and/or assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use.A description of treatments, medication, assistive devices, accommodations and/or assistive services in current use and their estimated effectiveness in ameliorating the impact of the disability would be helpful. Significant side effects that may impact physical, perceptual, behavioral, or cognitive performance should also be noted.
5. The credentials of the diagnosing professionals if not clear from the letterhead or other forms.A brief statement written on a prescription pad from your physician is not sufficient documentation.

Are 504 Plans and IEP’s accepted for use in documentation of a disability at the college level?

504 Plans and IEP’s are not considered to be acceptable documentation, however, this information is useful in understanding prior academic experiences of the student. Testing used to document a disability may be considered if current (usually within three years) and administered by a professional, and if such testing and evaluation meet guideline requirements and are deemed adequate to the College

I broke my wrist during sports practice last week. Can the Coordinator of Access Services help me?

Yes. The Coordinator works with students with temporary disabilities. Just talk with her and see what types of help you may be eligible for. There are different types of assistive technology and services that we can use to help you do what you need to do!!

I have a disability and do not need any accommodations. Do I have to see the Coordinator of Access Services?

Students with any disability are strongly encouraged to meet with the Coordinator of Access Services to get information and learn about specific accommodations available at the college level that could be helpful to you. You may not be aware of everything that is available.

I don’t want anyone to know that I have a disability or need accommodations. How is this handled?

The Coordinator of Access Services maintains confidential contacts and records. Disability is never indicated on college student records or in your accommodation letter. It is completely up to the student to determine who knows about their disability.

Who needs to know about my disability?

Only those persons who you feel should know. The Coordinator keeps a confidential file with limited access to your information. It would be shared only when there is a compelling reason to do so. In that case, you would be contacted prior to its being shared. Members of the faculty and administration generally only need to know what you are willing to tell them unless your safety is at risk. In other cases, you sign a release of information giving your permission for that information to be shared.

What role do my parents play in the process?

Students who are 18 years old or older are legally recognized as adults. In this case, the student is responsible for their own accommodation requests and disability-related decisions. However, students are encouraged to have an open dialog with their parents. Parents can be a great source of support.

What services are available for visitors to campus?

Visitors to Randolph College are eligible for the same level of courtesy services amy visitor is afforded. If you have a disability which will affect you while on our campus, please let us know when you plan to visit so we can make your stay as pleasant as possible. Possible accommodations would be:

• Preferential Seating
• Alternative format materials
• Housing modifications
• Accessible parking
• Interpreter services

Contact Information:

Diane Roy
Coordinator of Access Services
Academic Services Center
Lipscomb Library
2500 Rivermont Avenue
Lynchburg, VA 24503
Office: (434) 947-8132
Fax: (434) 947-8399
droy@randolphcollege.edu