DISABILITY SERVICES PROGRAM

Mission Statement & Office Functions

It is the mission of the Wayne State College Disability Services program to assist students with disabilities in reducing physical, programmatic and attitudinal barriers that might otherwise impede a student's success at Wayne State College (WSC). It is the goal of the WSC Disability Services Program to provide WSC students with disabilities with an equal opportunity to participate in the educational process and campus life of Wayne State College. The goal will be achieved through the provision of disability-related academic and personal support services.

FUNCTIONS

The Disability Services Program is housed in the Counseling Center located in Student Center, Room 103. The core functions of Disability Services take into consideration an understanding of the diverse nature of the impact of disabilities within the educational environment as well as an understanding of the availability of College resources. The following three core functions of Disability Services have been identified.

1. Determining Student Eligibility for Disability-Related Accommodations and Services
   The Counselor meets individually with students to verify eligibility for accommodations/services and to assess individual needs. Written documentation of disability is requested, reviewed and evaluated prior to determining a student's eligibility for accommodations/services. The Counselor will obtain and review written documentation of disability, determine eligibility for coverage under Section 504 and the ADA, determine student's understanding of his/her disability, determine what disability services have been used previously, assess how/if the student's disability affects his/her access to WSC's academic, cultural, and recreational activities.
   
2. Referral to Appropriate Campus/Community Resources
   Following a determination of the student's eligibility, additional information is gathered from and provided to the student and referrals are made to appropriate campus/community services. The Counselor will explain the student's rights as an individual with a disability, inform him/her of eligibility for accommodations/services, recommend an appropriate combination of accommodations and services, refer to specific campus/community resources, follow-up to determine student use and satisfaction.
   
3. Responding to Requests for Physical and Program Access and Accommodation
   The following information will be considered to determine the effectiveness and appropriateness of accommodation requests:

   a) disabling conditions and their educational impact.
   b) the individual with the disability.
   c) the campus environment.

The Counselor will directly consult with a wide variety of WSC staff in order to determine the appropriateness of a student's request for accommodation. Additional time and consideration will be given to identifying the source of problems/concerns related to disability, consulting with individuals involved, developing a range of possible accommodations, providing direct services, referring to other offices, or encouraging individual actions to address problems/concerns, recommending actions, policies or procedures to resolve the issue.

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Ron Vick, MA, LPC
Counselor / Academic Advisor
Int'l Student Advisor