Where are you located?
The Office of Disability Services is located on the ground floor of the Jerry and Jean Beasley Student Center, Room 107. The phone number is 304-384-6086. Ms. Nancy Ellison, Disability Services Coordinator, can be reached via email at nellison@concord.edu
Am I eligible for services?
If you have a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, you may be eligible for services. Disabling conditions could include (but are not limited to):
- Mobility impairment
- Visual impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Learning disability
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Brain injury
- Psychological disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Systemic medical disorders
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act guarantee persons with disabilities protection from discrimination based on disability. These laws, as they apply to colleges, protect otherwise qualified students (those who meet all the academic and technical standards of admission) in the areas of admission, recruitment, academic requirements, housing, financial aid and non-academic services.
What are accommodations and how do I apply for them?
Accommodations are a change in how things ae usually done, and may be granted to a student with a disability if that disability affects his/her functioning in a university.
- Provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in school
- Must be appropriate and effective for each individual
- Cannot fundamentally alter a program or course
- Cannot lower or change the academic or conduct standards of Concord University
- Cannot cause an undue burden
- Will not be provided without adequate documentation
How does the accommodation process work?
At the beginning of every semester, the Office of Disability Services will provide you a letter of accommodation for each of your professors. The letter lists the accommodations you have been approved to receive but does not disclose the nature of your disability or any details concerning your disability. You should meet with each professor privately and give him/her a copy of the letter of accommodation and discuss how the accommodations will work in that class. After discussing the accommodations, the professors will sign the Accommodation Acknowledgement Form.
Is there a fee for accommodations?
Accommodations are provided at no cost to students.
What if I am not sure if I have a disability?
Many adults with undiagnosed learning or attention or psychological disabilities are able to cope in high school, but struggle with the additional academic demands in college despite their best efforts. If you think you may have a learning disability or an attention or psychological problem, we can connect you with the Division of Rehabilitation Services for an assessment.
What about my privacy?
We work hard to maintain your confidentiality and privacy, as mandated by federal law.
If I need test accommodation, where will I take my tests?
When you meet with each professor and show them your letter of accommodation, you will discuss this and decide if the professor can provide the needed test accommodations or if you need to take your tests in the Office of Disability Services. We have a test room and can provide test proctoring and test accommodations as needed.
How will test accommodations like extended time work for online classes or online tests?
There are two options. We can obtain a printed version of the test and let you answer the questions with pencil and paper and then sign onto the test site and input your answers. The second option would be for the professor to adjust the timer on the test.
What if my disability causes me to be absent frequently?
Each professor has the right to set policies regarding attendance, notification of absences, acceptance of late work and make-up work for his/her class and to determine if a student has met the requirements of the class. The Office of Disability Services cannot override these policies. At some point in each class, no matter how valid the excuse, if you have missed too much of the class, you have missed too much to be successful. It is important that you review and understand the professor’s policies as outlined in the class syllabus. You do have the opportunity to drop any class for any reason or withdraw from all classes and receive a W grade. If you need to completely withdraw from school after mid-semester because of a medical disability or emergency issue, it is your responsibility to check with Financial Aid about your Standards for Academic Progress status and how your award is impacted by dropping classes or withdrawing from school. Dropping classes and withdrawing can impact your eligibility to live on campus too if you fall below twelve hours.
What are my basic responsibilities?
- Provide documentation of your disability
- Pick up your letters of accommodation on the first day of class each semester. Meet privately with professors, discuss the letter of accommodation, discuss how tests will be handled if you need testing accommodations, have the professor sign the Acknowledgement Form and return it promptly to the Office of Disability Services.
- Communicate on a regular basis with us and your professors so we can help you effectively. Make sure we have up-to-date contact information so we can reach you. Check your email and voice mail regularly for messages from the Office of Disability Services.
- Uphold the academic standards and Code of Conduct of the university.