Accommodations for Students, Employees & Visitors with Disabilities

Procedures

Testing & Academic Services Center

When either required or requested to do so, a DACC Disability Specialist will evaluate and verify a student’s need for auxiliary services and provide and coordinate the provision of reasonable academic support services and special accommodations for students with disabilities who are otherwise qualified to participate in and benefit from a specific source, program or activity under the following conditions:

1. A student makes a request for an accommodation.
2. A rehabilitation, psychological, medical or educational report describing the disability has been received from a proper authority (i.e., doctor, psychologist, Dept. of Rehabilitation).
3. An assessment by the Director of Testing & Academic Services, in coordination with faculty in some cases, determines the need for services in order for the student to successfully complete a course, program, or activity. The existence of a mental or physical disability, in itself, does not justify the need for special support services.
4. A student voluntarily presents him/herself for services and signs a release form.

Office of Maintenance & Facilities

The Executive Director of Maintenance & Facilities reviews and coordinates physical plant modifications to ensure the accessibility of campus.  The Testing & Academic Services Director, the Executive Director of Maintenance & Facilities, and the Vice President of Human Resources shall work cooperatively to address the special needs of all students, employees, and visitors with disabilities who wish to access the College’s programs and services and to determine what modifications are available.

Office of Human Resources

The Vice President of Human Resources will coordinate all requests for reasonable accommodations by staff, faculty, and applicants.  Disabled individuals may request a reasonable accommodation to 1) enable them to complete an application and be considered for a position at Danville Area Community College, 2) perform the essential functions of a position, or 3) enable the disabled employee to enjoy the same benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated non-disabled employees.  All requests for accommodation from faculty and staff are to be submitted in writing on the appropriate form(s) and with the appropriate supporting documentation for consideration and/or review.  The review of the request may, at the discretion of the College, include an evaluation and determination of the scope of the disability and, if appropriate, request for additional medical documentation, examinations, and/or opinions.  Accommodation decisions may be appealed through the designated appeals process.

The Vice President of Human Resources (Affirmative Action Officer and Section 504 Coordinator) is responsible for addressing concerns of students, staff, and the public regarding compliance and accessibility.  The Director may be contacted at 217-443-8756 or j.cranmore@dacc.edu and her office is located in Vermilion Hall, 2^nd Floor, Room 217.

Appeals Procedure

If a student disagrees with the decision regarding the accommodation request, the student has a right to appeal using the following procedure:

1. A complaint should be filed in writing and must contain the name and address of the person filing it and a brief description of the alleged violation of the regulations.
2. A complaint should be filed within thirty days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
3. An investigation, as may be warranted, shall follow a filed complaint. The Vice President of Human Resources (Affirmative Action Officer and Section 504 Coordinator) or designee shall conduct the investigation.
4. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Vice President of Human Resources or designee and a copy sent to the complainant no later than sixty (60) days after its filing.
5. The Vice President of Human Resources, or designee, who investigated the complaint shall maintain the files and records of Danville Area Community College related to the complaint filed.
6. The complainant can request a review of the case in instances where he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for review should be made within ten (10) days to the President of the College or designee. The President or designee shall respond to the complaint in writing within thirty (30) days.
7. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies, such as filing an ADA complaint with the responsible federal or state department or agency such as the Office of Civil Rights. Use of this procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
8. These rules shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons, to meet appropriate due process standards and to assure the College complies with the ADA and implementing regulations.

Students may contact the Office for Civil Rights at 1-800-368-1019, TDD: 1-800-537-7697 or OCRComplaint@hhs.gov.