American's With Disabilities Accommodations

   Wallace State Community College is committed to making its academic programs and services accessible to qualified students who have disabilities. It is a goal of Wallace State to provide students who have disabilities equal opportunities to develop and demonstrate their academic skills, while maintaining the academic integrity of the College programs. Consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, it is the policy of Wallace State College that no qualified person with a disability shall be subjected to discrimination because of that disability under any program or activity conducted or sponsored by the College.

   The Admissions Office handles all applications for admission. Admission standards are described in the College catalog and must be met by all students, regardless of disability. The College offers orientation sessions for entering students. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the ADA Office before or during orientation. Students who need accommodations during orientation should contact the Admissions Office upon receiving registration materials. The Admissions Office can be reached at 256-352-8236.

   Colleges are not required to alter essential academic requirements. Requirements, which can be demonstrated as essential to a course or program of study or to any directly related licensing requirement, are not regarded as discriminatory. Specifically, the law says that a college "shall make such modifications to its academic requirements as are necessary to ensure that such requirements do not discriminate or have the effect of discriminating, on the basis of handicap, against a qualified handicapped applicant or student... Modifications may include changes in the length of time permitted for the completion of degree requirements, substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements, and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted." 34 CFR Section 1-04.44 (a).

   When to self-identify as a student with a disability is a decision for the student. However, prospective students are encouraged to contact the ADA Office for information regarding services and facilities and to discuss questions pertinent to admission. If accommodations are needed for placement testing, all documentation must be on file in the ADA Accommodation Office.

   The ADA Accommodations Office serves as the central contact point for students with disabilities. The goal of the ADA Office is to provide a physically and educationally accessible College environment that ensures an individual is viewed on the basis of ability, not disability. The ADA Office works individually with students to determine appropriate and reasonable academic accommodations, and to have students' academic performance evaluated without the limiting effects of a disability.