Accessibility Services

Mission Statement
East Mississippi Community College is committed to creating a positive campus environment where students with disabilities are encouraged to pursue careers on the basis of personal interest and abilities.  Reasonable accommodations are offered in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These services are provided through designated offices on the respective campuses with appropriate personnel, as designated by the President, to verify eligibility and to work with eligible students to develop and coordinate a plan for provision of accommodations. Accessibility Resource Services, “hereafter referred to as ARS”, administratively falls under the appropriate administrator for each respective campus, with the District Coordinator reporting to the President.

Eligibility
Special needs students applying for admission to EMCC are considered for admission under the same requirements as other applicants. Admission requirements are listed in the EMCC catalog and student handbook.

Eligible students include those who:

• Are enrolled in  degree and non-degree programs offered by EMCC.
• Are considered qualified to meet the college program requirements despite a disability.
• Meet the definition of disability as defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA. The definition of disability includes any person who “…has a physical, emotional, or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of life’s major activities; has a record of disability or is regarded as having a disability.” (P.L. 101-46).

In determining if a student is “qualified” to meet all program requirements, the college must base its decision on the skills, interest and aptitude of a student and not on presumptions that would arbitrarily exclude a student from participating in a program.

Procedures for Obtaining Services

• Students must self-identify.
• Obtain an application from the designated office: Golden Triangle campus, Dean of Students, Room 265
  Scooba campus, Student Success Center, Hawkins Building
• Applications are available here.                               
• Provide current documentation of a disability.
• Schedule an appointment to discuss accommodation plans.

Upon receiving paperwork, the ARS Accommodations Committee will perform a substantive review of the requested accommodations and explore alternatives to requested accommodations.  Appropriate reasonable accommodations and services are individually determined by the ARS Accommodations Committee and based on the documentation. Students are expected to follow ARS procedures for using services and to maintain reasonable, semester by semester, contact with the designated staff member so that progress can be monitored and accommodations adjusted as appropriate.

 

Documentation of Disability
Documentation of a disability from an appropriate licensed or certified professional with expertise related to the student’s disability must be filed with ARS.

Proper documentation should include:

• Date of Evaluation. Evaluation for the purpose of documentation must have been completed within the past three years of application
• Statement. A statement of how the disability limits a major life area, thus impacting a student’s participation in courses, programs, services, activities and facilities
• Recommendation. A list of recommendations for accommodations.
• Completed Forms. These forms are available from the previously listed offices

All fees associated with procuring documentation are the responsibility of the student.

 

Paperwork/Confidentiality of Records

Upon completion of paperwork, including, documentation, the information should be submitted to the campus coordinator:
 
ARS Liaison
EMCC Scooba Campus
P.O. Box 158
Scooba, MS 39358

Accessibility Resource Services 
EMCC Golden Triangle Campus
P.O. Box 100 
Mayhew, MS 39753
 

All documentation is confidential. EMCC respects the rights of the student and strives to keep information confidential. Students are required to complete a written release prior to receiving or releasing information. Only authorized personnel have access to the records. However, student records may be disclosed when permitted or required by law.

Accommodations

Students must meet degree or essential course requirements as established by the college or course instructor. Reasonable accommodations are designed to ensure that the students have equal opportunity to attain the same level of performance or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to students without disabilities. Unreasonable accommodations, adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services that impose a fundamental alteration on a program or activity of the College may be refused.  Students are responsible for procuring or paying for services related to personal use and study.

 

Responsibility of Student Requesting Accommodations

Upon approval of accommodations, personnel will work with the student to develop an individualized accommodation plan.

Students have the responsibility to:

• Begin the initial process in a timely manner.
• Subsequently request, semester by semester, specific accommodations that are appropriate to their documented disability.
• Maintain reasonable contact with the designated ARS staff member.
• Follow procedures outlined by the ARS Reasonable Accommodations Committee.

Grievances

The College may deny a student’s request for accommodations and/or auxiliary aids, which impose an undue hardship on the campus or which substantially, modify academic standards, programs, or course work. The College also provides a Reasonable Accommodations Committee of professionals who review questionable documentation to assure that such documentation meets Section 504 and ADA disability criteria.

East Mississippi Community College has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its amendments and the American’s with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Complaints should be addressed to the District Accessibility Resource Services Coordinator, P.O. Box 100 Mayhew, MS 39753, who has been designated to coordinate such compliance efforts.

• A complaint should be filed in writing or verbally, contain the name and address of the person filing the complaint with a brief description of the alleged violation.
• A complaint should be filed within ten (10) working days after complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation of the regulations.
• An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow a filing of a complaint. A person designated by the President shall conduct the investigation. These rules contemplate informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a complaint.
• A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the person so designated above and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than twenty (20) working days after its filing.
• The District Accessibility Resource Services Coordinator shall maintain the complaint files and records for East Mississippi Community College.
• The complaint can request a reconsideration of the case in the instances where they are dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration should be made within five (5) working days to the coordinator.
• The right of the person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies such as the filing of an ADA (American with Disabilities Act) complaint with the responsible federal agency or department. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
• These rules shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons to meet appropriate due process standards and to assure that East Mississippi Community College complies with and implements the appropriate resolutions.

Contact Information

Email accessibilityservices@eastms.edu or call 662.243.1979

Dean of Student Services LeAnn Alexander