Disability Services

1. Apply to WWCC and set up your NET ID account.
   1. If you need assistance accessing your student email account please contact IT for support.
   2. If you would like assistance completing the application, please contact the DSS office for support.

2. Register for classes.
3. Email DSS to set up an intake.

1. You will be invited to an Intake Meeting by email where you will have the opportunity to discuss your history of disability, understand the purpose of academic accommodations in the college setting, learn what type of documentation works for college-level accommodations, and discuss the barriers you experience or may experience in the college classroom.
2. Based on your discussion, college-level accommodations will be determined based on your specific disability(ies). These accommodations are determined by (a) information obtained through your Intake Meeting, and (b) your disability documentation.

• Documentation is one tool DSS uses to verify that a student meets the definition of having a qualifying disability and to determine a student’s eligibility to receive accommodations in the educational setting.
• Ideal documentation should include:
  • A diagnosis of the disability/health condition by a medical doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or other qualified provider trained to diagnose disabilities.
  • A description of the current impact/limitations of the disability/health condition with specific focus on barriers to the education environment.
  • A discussion of whether the disability/health condition is permanent or temporary. If temporary, please provide information on the expected duration of the disability/health condition and timeline for reevaluation.
  • Contact information of the provider, date(s) of testing/evaluation, and signature
  • A generic statement such as: “the patient has a disability” or “the patient struggles with test anxiety”, don’t typically provide the DSS office with enough information to determine if a student meets the definition of having a disability. Please ask your medical provider to be specific when sharing what your diagnosis is.
• IMPORTANT: Every individual situation is unique; regardless of what medical documentation you may or may not have, please contact our office to have a discussion about how we may be able to work together. We understand obtaining documentation may be difficult and we want to partner with you to address any academic barriers you may be experiencing.

• While Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans may provide some useful information when determining college accommodations, students may be asked to obtain more detailed documentation from a qualified diagnostician to support their accommodation request.
• This includes students enrolled in Running Start. If you have a 504 or IEP, you will still need to engage in the interactive process to receive accommodations at WWCC.

• FERPA pertains to the release of records only. It does not give others the right to act on the student’s behalf or to change their records.
• If the student DOES sign a Student Release of Records form:
  • College staff and faculty are not required to provide information on student progress, attendance, grades, or accommodations directly to third parties, including vocational counselors and parents.
  • FERPA pertains to the release of student educational records only. It does not give others the right to act on a student’s behalf, change their records, or individually meet or contact college staff without the student present.
  • A third party who logs into the website or identifies themselves with someone else’s student identification constitutes improper use and violates State and Federal privacy laws.

• After receiving a denial email from DSS, respond to that email to request that the action, inactions, or decision be reconsidered. 
• DSS may request you submit additional documentation or information to review. DSS staff may need to consult with other college staff or faculty regarding technical standards, program requirements, college policies or other information relevant to your request. 
• Informal resolution of concerns shall not exceed 30 calendar days

If a student is not satisfied by the results of the informal process or the informal process meeting has been waived, the complainant may request a meeting with the VP of Student Services, in writing. 

• Within 30 calendar days of receiving the written request the VP of Student Services shall arrange an official hearing and chair the meeting to review the complaint. 
• The complainant may choose to meet with the administrator with or without the person(s) the complaint is directed. If the complainant requests a single meeting, the complainant, the person(s) the complaint is directed, and the VP of Student Services will attend the meeting. 
• After the hearing and within 30 calendar days of receiving the written request, the administrator will report their findings in writing to the complainant, and the person(s) the complaint has been directed. 

If the complaint is not resolved as a result the formal process resulting in a hearing conducted by the Vice President of Student Services, either the complainant or the person(s) the complaint has been directed, may request and appeal to the college President.

• The request must be made in writing within 10 calendar days after receipt of the written result of the official hearing. 
• Within 15 calendar days of receiving the request, the college President or designee will conduct a Presidential Appeal hearing and report the findings in writing to both the complainant and the person(s) the complaint has been directed. 
• Attendance at the Presidential Appeal hearing shall be limited to the college President or designee; the administrator who conducted the official hearing; the complainant; and the person(s) the complaint is directed, unless otherwise agreed upon mutually agreed by the parties. The college President or designee shall preside. 
• Either the complainant or the person(s) the complaint is directed may call witnesses at the direction of the person presiding. 
• The written findings of the Presidential Appeal will be considered final. No further intra-institutional appeal exists.

While we would hope to come to an aggregable solution through our appeal process you have the right to file a report with the Office of Civil Rights at any point in the denial process.