Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (and all amendments) and the NYS Human Rights Law, Jefferson Community College is mandated to make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students with disabilities. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Disability Specialist.
To receive accommodations/services, qualifying documentation of a disability is required. To access accommodations/services, individuals must initiate a request (as outlined below) for specific accommodations/services. The earlier individuals request accommodations/services, the more effective the College can be in facilitating the appropriate support.
- Accommodations are not retroactive; it is best to request accommodations before a problem arises.
- Requesting accommodations does not guarantee their approval. Final determination will be made by the Disability Specialist and based upon the documentation received.
Students with disabilities are ensured that written records will be kept confidential and made available only to the Education Coordinator and/or designee. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protect the confidentiality of student medical and disability records. Once submitted, disability-related information becomes the property of Jefferson Community College and is kept in separate files with limited access. FERPA protects a student's record from being shared (without the student's permission) with faculty, administrators, other students, the press, or anyone without a legitimate, educational reason. The student must complete an Accommodative Services Release form. If consent is given by the student, only the diagnosis will be shared, not the documentation. In order for parents or legal guardians to speak with the Education Coordinator regarding any information on the student (grades, services, attendance, documentation needs, etc.); the student must complete a release of information form.