Disability Services Information
Disabilities Covered Under Section 504 and Postsecondary Institutions:
- Learning Disabled
- Deaf/Hearing Impairment
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Blind/Visual Impairment
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Physical Impairment
- Psychological Disorder
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
- Chronic Health Impairments
- Substance Abuse
- HIV/AIDS
- Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism Spectrum Disorder
Eligibility
In compliance with federal guidelines a student is eligible for disability services if he or she:
- has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity,
- has a record of such an impairment or
- is regarded as having such an impairment
Documentation Guidelines
- A qualified professional must provide documentation of the disability.
- Documentation and requests for accommodations must be current (within the last three years), complete, and demonstrate need.
- Documentation should specify the student’s functional limitation of a major life activity.
- Decisions regarding requested accommodations are a result of collaboration between the student and the disability staff person.
Accommodations
Accommodations requested by the student must be “reasonable” and based on documentation provided by the student. Reasonable accommodations depend upon the nature and degree of severity of the documented disability. While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that priority consideration be given to the specific methods requested by the student, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is deemed not reasonable and other suitable techniques are available. An accommodation cannot lower the standards or change the objectives of the program or course.
Colleges Are Not Required To:
- Reduce or waive any of the essential requirements of a course or program.
- Conduct testing and assessment of learning, psychological or medical disabilities.
- Provide personal assistants.
- Provide personal or private tutoring.
- Prepare Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Campus Accessibility
Parking – Parking spaces exclusively designated for disabled visitors, students and staff are located near the entrances of all campus buildings.
Telephones - A public telephone is accessible to disabled persons. The telephone is located across from the elevators on the first floor of Berks Hall. TDD access is available and located at the front desk in Berks Hall and at the circulation desk in Yocum Library.
Transportation – BARTA access is available by calling (610) 921-0601. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange transportation to and from campus for classes and campus activities.
Tutorial Services
Hours for the Tutorial Center in Berks Hall, room 209 are posted each term. Tutoring is available on a “walk-in” basis for all students enrolled in credit classes.