WHAT IS SAR?
Student Accessibility Resources (SAR) helps create a fair and inclusive learning environment through specific educational accommodations and support services guided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. We are here to assist you in your education, career and personal achievements/goals with equal access to all programs using both on-campus and off-campus resources. In addition, we advocate for you in order to lift educational barriers while empowering and embracing differences by exploring new awareness campaigns and trainings for the GCSC population.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
- Apply to Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida.
- Fill out an Online Application with SAR or in person.
- Provide SAR with proper documentation. (More information about documentation is provided in the SAR Student Handbook ).
- Make sure to Register for Classes. (Academic Coach Becca Sofarelli helps all SAR students needing additional help and have questions).
- Make an appointment with SAR!
Making the transition to Gulf Coast State College
If you have received disability services or accommodations in the past, contact us before the semester begins. We want to get to know you and your specific needs. We’ll work with you to set up a plan for accommodations and provide you with the accommodation plan to bring to your instructors at the start of each semester.
Don’t wait to get started! To ensure your access to college disability accommodations, you’ll need to provide some documentation and register with our office. If you have not registered with Student Accessibility Resources and you wait until days before your first exam to request disability accommodations, we may not be able to make arrangements in time.
What accommodations are available?
As a Gulf Coast student, Student Accessibility Resources works with you and your professors on the specific accommodations you need for your disability. Below is a list of the more common accommodations, however this is not an exhaustive list as we tailor accommodation plans to the student.
- Extra time on exams/quizzes
- Alternative testing locations/isolated testing
- Note taking support
- Readers/scribes
- Interpreters
- Course substitution
- Alternative testing procedures
Access to these disability services and accommodations must be supported with the appropriate documentation, so it’s important that you register with our office. See the Student Accessibility Resources Handbook or email sar@gulfcoast.edu for details.
“The support I received from Gulf Coast was overwhelming and they helped me reach my full potential as a student.”
~ James Durham, SAR student
Questions about disability services or your accommodations?
Do you have questions about when to disclose your disability, the confidentiality of student access at Gulf Coast State College or the documents required for accommodation? The answers to these questions and more are available on our Frequently Asked Questions page and in the Student Accessibility Resources Student Handbook. Or, you can contact Student Accessibility Resources directly.
If you're unable to view any of our forms, you can download Adobe Reader or contact SAR for alternative formats.
Contact Information
Student Accessibility Resources
Panama City Campus, McSpadden Student Union East, Room 54
5230 West U.S. Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 747-3243
Fax: (850) 767-8034
Email: sar@gulfcoast.edu