Description of Services Available to GCSC Students with Disabilities

Although you may not have to become directly involved in providing some types of accommodations to students with disabilities, it is a good idea for you to become familiar with the services that GCSC offers through Disability Support Services (DSS). The use of any accommodation must be supported by the student's documentation and approved by DSS. The following are descriptions of more common accommodations provided by the college, but depending upon a student's situation, other reasonable accommodations may also be considered.

Extra Time on Exams/Quizzes

For a variety of reasons, students with disabilities often need extra time to complete exams or quizzes. Students typically use time and a half or double time to complete exams. If you have questions about extended test time, please contact DSS.

Alternative Testing Locations/Isolated Testing

As with extended test time, there are a variety of reasons that a student with a disability will need an alternative testing location. Attention and distractibility problems or the use of a reader and/or writer are the most common. Testing is monitored by DSS staff, and students are not allowed to use any class materials without the instructor’s consent. The GCSC Academic Honor Code is strictly enforced and students are monitored while taking exams. Please read the Alternative Testing Procedures section in this guide.

Notetakers

Again, there may be a variety of different reasons that students with disabilities will need note-takers. The most common reasons include auditory processing deficits, attention deficits, or physical limitations that impair the ability to write. If a student needs a note-taker, you will be informed by DSS through a faculty letter memorandum and asked to make an anonymous announcement in class asking for a note-taker.  DSS will pay a volunteer for this service. Please include this information as part of the anonymous announcement because it often helps in the recruiting of note-takers.

Readers/Writers

Students with disabilities who need a reader and/or writer for exams due to a mobility or learning disability will be assisted by a DSS member. Readers/writers for other course requirements will be arranged by DSS.

Assistance with Study/Organizational/Time-Management Skills

A tutor with DSS is available to meet one-on-one with students who need help with study, organizational, and/or time-management skills. If you feel that a student with a disability in your class could benefit from this service, please encourage him or her to schedule an appointment with the graduate assistant.

Interpreters for Students with Hearing Impairments

Postsecondary institutions are required by law to arrange and pay for interpreting services for students who qualify for this service. This includes any class that the student is enrolled in and any program sponsored by the College. Students who use interpreters inform DSS of their class schedules and the DSS makes arrangements for an interpreter to be present at every class meeting. Students who do not use interpreters may use an assisted listening device (see Technology section for more information).

Priority Registration

Some students with physical, visual, and hearing disabilities are placed on priority registration to allow students to adequately space their classes due to mobility issues.

Course Substitution

Section 240.152 of the Florida Statutes provides for the reasonable substitution of admission requirements to a state university, community college, or postsecondary vocational institution for any person with a disability. Students with disabilities who are admitted to a state university, community college, or postsecondary vocational institution are eligible for reasonable substitution for any graduation requirement, requirements for admission into program of study or upper division where such a substitution does not significantly alter the nature of the program (F.S. 250.153). Examples of this may include substitution for or waiver of math or foreign language requirements for some students with specific learning disabilities. Waivers and/or substitutions for sections of the CLAST examination are also possible. BOE Rule 6C. 6018 provides specific requirements for implementation of these statutes. Students with disabilities must request a substitution of course requirements through their academic dean and provide documentation supporting their request.

Quiet Study Areas for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities can use the DSS area study and/or meet with their tutors.

Alternative Testing Procedures

Because alternative testing locations and extended testing time are common accommodations among students with disabilities, DSS has developed procedures for organizing these accommodations. The following is a general summary of these procedures, but they are subject to change. Please note that only students with documentation on file at Disability Support Services are able to use the testing center. The DSS employs professional staff members to coordinate and monitor exam administration. Typically, DSS Testing is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 6:00 and Friday from 8:00 to 4:00; however, DSS has extended hours during finals. If you have any questions about alternative testing, please call Mary Black the DSS Exam Coordinator at 3342.