Disability Services

Office of Student Services

241 Vo-Tech Drive
McMinnville, TN  37110
Phone:  (931) 473-5587  Fax:  (931) 473-6380
Email:  mike.garrison@ttcmcminnville.edu
www.ttcmcminnville.edu

Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville does not discriminate based on Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Introduction

The Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville (TTCM) is committed to providing opportunities and accommodations in higher education to all academically qualified students with disabilities.  This commitment is consistent with the Center’s obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

It is the responsibility of the student to seek available assistance at the Center and to make his/her needs known.

Disability Services is a Center resource that provides educational support services and programmatic access promoting barrier-free environments (physical, programs, information) that ensures the rights of individuals with disabilities and meets its obligations under federal and state statutes.

TTCM affirms that no qualified individuals, by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the Center.  Each qualified person shall receive reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting.

Philosophy and Mission

To provide services and promote an accessible environment that allows people with disabilities an equal opportunity for participation in educational and other Center activities.  To strive to improve access to Center programs, activities, and facilities for students with disabilities.

Statement of Purpose

• Offers selective student services that are not provided by other Center offices.


• Assists students in negotiating disability-related barriers to their pursuit of education.


• Promotes increased awareness of disability issues on campus.

Disability Services coordinates access to reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities when the student has a documented disability from a qualified professional.  Individualized services are available to the student as determined by the Student Services Coordinator based on the specific disability and academic program the student pursues while enrolled.

Definition

Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities; a record of such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment.  Qualified individuals with a disability are defined as an individual who, with or without reasonable modifications and accommodations, meets the essential requirements for the program services and activities offered by the Center.

Types of Disabilities

Students attending TTCM may receive services for one or more of the following disabilities:

• Hearing impairment


• Orthopedic/mobility impairments


• Learning disabilities/ADD, ADHD, Dyslexic


• Visual impairments


• Medical disabilities


• Psychiatric disabilities

This list does not include all types of disabilities for which services are provided but exemplifies most frequently served disabilities.

Procedures for Accommodations

In order to receive “reasonable accommodations” as set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with disabilities must meet the following guidelines:

• Be self-identified to the Coordinator of Student Services.


• Provide current documentation of the disability.  (Documentation is defined as a written summary from a professional who is licensed to practice in the field appropriate for diagnosing and/or treating the disability in question.)

Students are assured accommodations only when documentation is on file in the Office of Student Services.  This documentation will be kept confidential and used for verification assessment purposes only.  Infor-mation provided to Student Services has no effect on the student’s admission to TTCM or student status.

Academic Accessibility

Students with disabilities entering TTCM for the first time should contact the Coordinator of Student Services before their first trimester of enrollment.  If a student is unable to perform certain academic tasks in the traditional manner because of a disability, reasonable accommoda-tions may be arranged to allow alternative methods of meeting requirements.  Such accommodations are discussed on an individual basis and in the spirit of equalizing opportunities rather than altering standards or waiving requirements.

It is the student’s responsibility, along with the Coordinator of Student Services, to notify and provide faculty the appropriate forms.  The instructor accommodations form must be requested by the student and presented to the instructor at the beginning of each term.

Common Academic Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are individualized and based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment.  The following is a partial list of academic accommodations and services received by students with disabilities:

• Accessible classroom/location/furniture.


• Assistance in coordinating auxiliary aids and services (e.g., note takers, tape recorders, books on tape, large print).


• Assistance from sign language interpreters.


• Assistive listening devices.


• Modification of exam conditions (i.e., extended test time, distraction free areas, reading of test questions.)

The Tennessee Technology Center is accredited by:

Commission of the Council on Occupational Education
Council on Occupational Education
7840 Roswell Road
Building 300, Suite 325
Atlanta, GA  30350
770-396-3898
Toll Free:  800-917-2081
Fax:  770-396-3790