Frequently Asked Questions
As a college student, you are responsible for your education. As a student with a disability or medical condition entering postsecondary education, you are responsible for knowing your rights and how they are addressed. Please read the following frequently asked questions to better understand the Disability Services policy at Davidson-Davie Community College.
Prospective Students
No. However, if you want Davidson-Davie to provide accommodations, you should self-identify with the Accessibility Services Office (ASO). Please read the following frequently asked questions to better understand the Accessibility Services Office policies at Davidson Davie Community College.
As defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a disability is a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
You may request accommodations from Davidson-Davie at any time, however, you should make your request as early as possible by completing the Request for Accommodation Form. This form will allow you to upload your documented diagnosis. Students will need to renew their Academic Support Plan (ASP) (Accommodations) each semester.
The Accessibility Services Office will require you to provide documentation prepared by an appropriate professional. Any documentation information students can share during the first meeting such as IEP/504 Plans, recent evaluations, and letters from appropriate professionals (doctors, psychologists, audiologists, etc.) is helpful. Students may print a Disability Verification Form for the appropriate professional overseeing health treatment to complete. The Accessibility Services Office will use the information we obtain from conversation and documentation to establish entitlement and, if applicable, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for the student. For further information on documentation, please refer to the Disability Documentation Guidelines.
Other forms in the process include the Student Rights & Responsibilities form, a FERPA form (if not already completed by another department), and an Advising Guidance Form.
Please make an appointment using Starfish, the appointment can be in-person, or virtual. The appointment can be your initial meeting with staff in the Accessibility Services Office or after you have completed the Request for Accommodation form and submitted documentation.
- Log into your Student Portal.
- On your “My Success Network Page” you will see “Your Services”
- Scroll down and select Accessibility Services- if you are on the Davie Campus you should select the one that states Davie Campus- Disability Access Services.
The Accessibility Services Office will review your request with regard to the requirements of your program to help determine appropriate accommodations. It is important to remember that Davidson-Davie is not required to alter academic requirements as an accommodation for a disability or medical condition. If you have a specific accommodation, it may be approved, but if not the Accessibility Services Office will work with you to identify an appropriate alternative. Please check if there are Technical Standards required for your program of choice. Accessibility Services can go through those Technical Standards with you to see if they can be accommodated.
Accessible parking is available in accordance with North Carolina state and federal regulations. Students are required to follow all appropriate regulations and to have a North Carolina-issued permit visible when parked in an accessible or handicapped space while on campus. Violation of these regulations can result in fines and/ or towing of vehicles. Accessible parking is accessed on a first-come, first-served basis. Any student wishing to address accessible parking issues should contact the Office of Disability Access Services.
Accommodations can be provided for any type of class. We work with students to determine appropriate accommodations for the type of class they choose to enroll in.
Current Students
Yes. Students are responsible for arranging testing appointments with the Testing Center and communicating those dates/times with their instructor. Schedule Testing.
The Testing Center has staff that are responsible for reading text aloud to students. They also use technology such as a CPen Reader, and Natural Reader software that can be helpful. When testing at home, using technology to read aloud is the most effective way; however, there are times when the Testing Center can schedule a virtual (Zoom) meeting to read the text aloud to you during your test. Parents, family members, nor friends are allowed to read text aloud for testing purposes unless your instructor has given you written permission to do so.
Special Note: Requesting a reader for testing, requires at least 5 days advance notice to the Testing Center. Plan accordingly.
Notify the Accessibility Services Office as soon as you become aware that the results are not what you expected. It may be too late to correct the problem if you wait until the course or activity is completed. You should work with the Accessibility Services Office to resolve the problem. You may request an appointment as a returning student by scheduling a Returning Student Appointment.
Faculty are informed of a student’s need for accommodation by the Academic Support Plan (ASP), which is sent electronically to the faculty’s email. Students are also sent a copy of the ASP electronically to their email. Students must complete renewal each semester. A letter is sent to students each semester to renew services. If this is not completed, the ASP will not be emailed to faculty or student. The ASP is addressed to individual instructors. Diagnosis and/or specific information about the student’s disability is not included.
The Accessibility Services Office strongly encourages students to meet with instructors during office hours or to arrange an alternate meeting time so that there is sufficient time to discuss the ASP and how the plan needs should be implemented. Most faculty are familiar with the accommodation process and should be encouraged to call our office if they have questions. Meeting with Faculty face-to-face (this can include virtual meetings) is essential to work out logistical details related to specific requests.
Only you and the ASO have access to your records. Disability documentation and specific information about your disability (including diagnosis) are not released without written permission unless mandated by law.
At the bottom of the Academic Support Plan, it lists the steps for how to file a complaint with the college or the Office of Civil Rights. You can also contact the Accessibility Services Office for information about how to address your concerns. Davidson-Davie has a General Grievance Policy which can be found on the Davidson-Davie website. The procedure includes steps to ensure that you may raise your concerns fully and fairly and provides for prompt and equitable resolution.
These are two different accommodations that are implemented in two very different ways. When you have extended time on a test, you either have time and a half to complete the timed test or you can have double time to complete the timed test. The instructor sets the time for the test. For example, if everyone has 20 minutes to complete a quiz, and you have time and a half, you will get 30 minutes to complete that same quiz, for double time it would be 40 minutes to complete the quiz.
Extended time on assignments is completely different as most assignments are not timed, but require a due date for completion. Extended time on assignments means that you will have time past the initial due date to turn in a particular assignment. This accommodation is not common and often is not helpful to students given the class time frame and the amount of work that most classes offer. Remember that accommodations are meant to provide you with access, and in an 8-week class, extended time on assignments is putting you behind everyone else, not allowing you access to the course.
To receive more information about the civil rights of students with disabilities in educational institutions, you may contact:
Customer Service Team
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Phone: 1-800-421-3481
Website: www.ed.gov/ocr