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Policy Number: I-26
Last Reviewed: December 10, 2020
Responsible Dept.: Dean of Student Affairs/Disability Counselor

A signed copy of this policy is available in the President’s Office.

Consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Virginia Western Community College guarantees that no qualified individual shall by reason of disability be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of college. Each qualified person shall receive appropriate, reasonable accommodations upon request to insure full and equal access to educational opportunities, programs, and activities.

I-26.1 

In order to determine eligibility for VWCC Disability Services on the basis of a self-disclosed disability and to evaluate specific needs for requested accommodations or auxiliary aids, VWCC Disability Services will need documentation of the disability. Such documentation must include an evaluation by an appropriate professional, as well as a description of the current impact of the disability as it relates to the accommodation request. As appropriate to the disability, the documentation should include the following elements:

  • A diagnostic statement identifying the disability, date of the most current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the diagnosis if known.
  • A description of the diagnostic test, methods, and/or criteria used.
  • A description of the current functional impact of the disability, which includes specific test results and the examiner’s narrative interpretation.
  • Treatments, medications, or assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use, including a description of the mediating effects and potential side effects from such treatments.
  • The credentials of the diagnosing professional if not clear from the letterhead or other forms.
  • The diagnosing professional cannot be a family member.
  • The diagnosis must be on official letterhead or agency forms.
  • No prescription pad diagnosis will be accepted.

I-26.2 

Virginia Western Community College and VWCC Disability Services assume no responsibility for the cost of medical or educational testing for the purposes of diagnosing a disability. Disability Services will provide referrals to area agencies and other professionals. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for professional services and to pursue necessary steps in securing all documentation of his or her disability.

Reviewed/Revised: 2/2013, 7/2014, 11/2020, 12/2020