Disability Support Services
Location: Bladen Hall, Room 124
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Phone: 301-322-0122
E-mail: dss@pgcc.edu
Students with documented disabilities may request academic accommodations through the Disability Support Services Office (DSS). These services comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which mandate program accessibility for students with disabilities in postsecondary institutions receiving federal funds. The college is obligated to provide
reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services to qualified students with disabilities to ensure their effective participation in all college programs and services. Students do not have to disclose a disability to the college if they are not requesting services.
However, for those students who choose to self-identify, they must provide current documentation of disability to support reasonable accommodations. They must also register, pay for courses, and bring their paid receipt to DSS one month prior to the beginning of classes to avoid delays in service.
For students who are recent graduates from high school, there are some important differences between high school and college in the provision of support services and accommodations.
- First, you will be moving from entitlement to services (mandatory accommodations) to eligibility for services (having to request accommodations). This means that you will not likely receive all of the accommodations you enjoyed in high school. However, you will have many support services available to you on campus such as tutoring, academic advising, and mentoring to name a few. You will also be expected to read and write at high levels, increase your independence, ask for support (self-advocacy skills), and seek out resources. The college has many resources available to you such as the library (Accokeek Hall), the tutoring, writing and grammar center (Bladen Hall, Room 107), the learning assistance lab (Marlboro Hall 2129), and various computer labs throughout campus.
- Second, you will be viewed as an adult responsible for decisions regarding your academic program and use of services. You are responsible for notifying the Disability Support Service office (B-124) as to the nature of your disability and work with DSS staff to identify appropriate accommodations. You may call the DSS office to set up an initial interview appointment with the DSS Manager after you have registered and paid for classes. Additionally, you have a right to a private and confidential meeting without the presence of your parent or guardian.
- Third, you are responsible for providing all documentation supporting your disability, particularly in cases where the disability is not obvious. The college does not offer psychoeducational assessment to establish the existence of a learning disability. It is very important that you keep copies of any psychoeducational testing results done in high school.
Note: An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and Section 504 Plan do not provide sufficient documentation when requesting reasonable accommodations and will not be use to grant accommodations. You must present a psychological report, psychoeducational evaluation, or other documentation approved by the DSS manager. These reports should not be older than three years.
- Fourth, the student must contact DSS if he or she is requesting a sign language interpreter or notetaker services one month before classes start. The student must have registered and paid for classes at the time that he/she makes the request for an interpreter or notetaker.
Services Provided in DSS
Accommodations are determined on a case by case basis after consultation with the DSS manager. Possible services may include:
- Academic, personal, transfer, and career counseling to students
- Sign language interpreters (both from staff and contract interpreting agencies)
- Note taking services
- Wheelchair accessible desk/tables
- Extended test time and alternate testing locations (quiet environment)
- Permission to tape record class lectures and recorded textbooks as required
- Support services to students with visual, physical, sensory and psychological disabilities
- Referrals to community agencies
- Use of adaptive technology
Acceptable forms of documentation
- Psychological report (full write-up)
- Woodcock Johnson Battery Revised (report)
- Neuropsychological evaluation
- Psychological report (full write-up)
- Letter from doctor (with diagnosis, functional limitations and educational limitations)
Note: Accommodations are designed to provide each student with equal access in the classroom and do not change the academic standards, requirements, and code of conduct required of all students.
Enrollment Steps for DSS Students
- Complete and submit an application to the Admissions Office (B-126) at Prince George's Community College. There is an application fee of $25.00 dollars payable by cash, check, credit card or money order.
- Take the ACCUPLACER (Computerized Placement Test) in BH-100. The test is untimed. If you require accommodations for testing, please contact the Disability Support Services Office at (301) 322-0838 voice or (301) 322-0122 TTY. The test will assess academic skill levels in reading, written expression, and mathematics. You may contact the Student Assessment Center at (301) 322-0090 for further information.
- If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Financial Aid Office (B-121) can provide assistance with forms and questions and can be reached at (301) 322-0822. You must bring proof of residency, income, and current year tax information.
- Meet with an Academic Adviser (B-124) to discuss placement test scores and receive academic advising (i.e., major, courses, transfer, etc.). Advising can be reached at (301) 322-0151.
- Register and pay for your courses (Admissions, B-126/Cashier's, B-120). You will need to bring a copy of your schedule and paid receipt to Disability Support Services, B-122 at least one month prior to the beginning of classes to avoid delays in service.
- Make an appointment with the DSS Manager to discuss academic accommodations. You are responsible for bringing current medical or educational documentation to this meeting. This is usually a doctor's letter indicating your strengths and limitations and/or a psychological or psychoeducational assessment if you have learning disabilities.
Note: Students may experience a delay in receiving auxiliary services (i.e., interpreting, notetaking, recorded textbooks, etc.) for both credit and non-credit courses, if they register late and do not provide adequate documentation to support reasonable accommodations. An IEP is not sufficient documentation to warrant reasonable accommodations. You will be asked to provide a complete psychological report or psychoeducational report.
Links of Interest
Teaching Students With Disabilities
Association of Higher Education and Disability
Learning Disabilities
Maryland Technology Assistance Program
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
You may direct questions concerning Disability Support Services by E-mail: DSS@pgcc.edu