At Pratt Community College, special needs services are provided, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, in order to improve access to educational opportunities. Under Section 504, a postsecondary student with a disability who is in need of academic adjustments or auxiliary aids is obligated to provide notification to the educational institution, the nature of the disabling condition.

At PCC, the Student Success Counselor is the initial point of contact and said notification must be provided to the Student Success Counselor. The institution must be given a reasonable amount of time to evaluate the student's request and determine what accommodations will be provided.

A full array of services to students with disabilities may be provided, including:

• materials in alternate formats
• taped texts
• readers
• computer assisted accommodations
• altered class and examination schedules
• tape recorders
• alternative testing procedures

The institution will not provide for the personal needs of students including readers for personal use and study, as well as individual study aids such as tutoring.

Upon receipt and assessment of the student's documentation by the Student Success Counselor, a Student Success Team (SST), consisting of the Registrar, Success Counselor(s), Academic Advisor(s), Assistant to VP for Instruction, Instructors (as needed), Director of Advising and the VPs for Instruction and Students/Enrollment Management, will review each student's documentation and request for accommodations. The objective of the SST is to increase the probability of academic success of students who have special needs and/or who possess skill levels that inhibit the achievement of their academic/career goals. The SST will approve or deny accommodations for each student requesting services and will review the progress of students regularly.

A Student Success Counselor (SSC) will work intensively with each student assigned to the SST program. The SSC will communicate directly with the student and instructors to monitor assigned accommodations and the student's academic progress. Each semester, the SSC will provide a summary report to the SST outlining each special needs student's semester progress. The SST will determine if accommodations need to be adjusted or terminated. A special needs student roster will be maintained by the SSC and distributed to the designated instructors outlining the approved accommodations by the SST.

A student may also indicate on the enrollment form when assistance with special needs accommodations is needed. The SSC will contact the student and outline what documentation is needed from the student. A student requesting special needs services and not receiving the accommodations they desire may appeal the decision of the SST by submitting a written appeal to the SST, through the SSC.

For more information about special needs services, contact Spencer Baker at 620-450-2215.