The North Lake College Disability Services Office (DSO) provides a variety of support services to empower you, foster your independence, promote achievement of realistic career and educational goals, and assist you in discovering, developing, and demonstrating your full potential and abilities. DSO offers individual academic advisement and registration and approves and implements academic accommodations based on your disability. DSO can also act as a referral source if you need additional support.
Resources And Supplies
Kurzweil Reader, ZoomText, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Taped or Digital Textbooks for the Blind/Dyslexic, CCTV- print magnification device for the visually impaired, TTY- telecommunication device for the Deaf, FM System- assistive hearing, equipment for the hearing impaired, JAWS.
Eligibility for Services
If you are a student enrolled at North Lake College, with a diagnosed disability (physical, psychological, learning, etc.), you are eligible for services through the Disability Services Office (DSO). Before receiving services, you must submit documentation of your disability, prepared by an appropriate qualified professional, to the DSO. If the documentation is insufficient or outdated, the cost of obtaining any professional verification is your responsibility.
After verification of your disability, DSO counselors will certify eligibility for services and determine which accommodations are necessary and appropriate for you. DSO maintains the confidentiality of student information as required by applicable laws.
Documentation Requirements
Physical Impairments: No documentation is typically required by the Disability Services Office (DSO) for physical disabilities that are visible (e.g. students who are visually impaired or use a wheelchair). However, if you request accommodations that do not seem to be warranted by that particular disability, the office may request documentation from a physician explaining why those accommodations are necessary. For physical disabilities that are not visible (e.g. student with back problems, chronic pain, etc.), you are required to provide DSO with documentation from a physician. This documentation should include the following:
- Disability/medical condition
- Symptoms and functional limitations of the impairment
- Recommendations for special needs and accommodations
If the documentation you provide is incomplete, inadequate, or outdated, DSO may require additional documentation in order to determine your eligibility for services.
Hearing Impairments
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you are required to provide either (1) an audiological evaluation from a licensed audiologist or (2) documentation from an agency/professional that will certify degree of hearing impairment.
Psychological/Learning Disabilities/ADD/ADHD
Psychological/Learning Disabilities/ADD/ADHD documentation must be provided by one of the following types of diagnosing professionals: psychologist, psychiatrist, certified social worker, LPC, educational diagnostician, relevantly trained medical doctor, or other licensed professional qualified to diagnose psychological disabilities. Documentation should include all of the following information:
- Diagnosis based on DSM-IV
- Current functional limitations and symptoms
- Recommendations for academic accommodations