Student Disability Services

Student eligibility is determined by an interactive process including a thorough review of medical and/or psychological documentation provided by a qualified professional and an Access Planning Meeting with a Student Disability Services accommodation specialist to identify barriers and determine reasonable accommodations/adjustments. Accommodations/adjustments are tailored to the individual student and may need to be modified during their academic program at Olympic College.

Documentation should:

1. Include a diagnostic statement identifying the disability, date of the current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original diagnosis.
2. Be current, typically within the last three years. The age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition, its interaction with development across the lifespan, the presence or absence of significant events (since the original diagnosis) that would impact functioning, and the current status of the student at the time of the request for accommodation.
3. Include a summary of the evaluation procedures as well as the diagnostic tests/evaluation results used to make the diagnosis.
4. Provide a description of the current functional impact or limitations of the disability on learning or other major life activities.
5. Address, as appropriate, the relevance of accommodation requests to the diagnosed disability.
6. When appropriate, include treatments, medication, and assistive devices currently prescribed or in use.
7. Include the credentials of the diagnosing professional(s).

In addition to the requirements listed above, certain disabilities may have additional guidelines, as outlined below:

• Psychiatric Disabilities: Documentation must include a diagnosis and summary of present symptoms, in a written report from a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed mental health counselor or licensed clinical social worker.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Documentation must include a diagnosis and statement of the presenting problem; testing that verifies a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that currently affects learning; report summary and rationales for accommodations using evidence from the evaluation.  Professionals considered acceptable for evaluating ADHD are licensed physicians, neuropsychologists, and psychologists.
• Learning Disabilities: Documentation should validate the need for services based on the individual's current functioning in the educational setting. A comprehensive assessment battery and the resulting diagnostic report should include a diagnostic interview, assessment of aptitude, academic achievement, information processing, and a diagnosis. 
• Assessment, and any resulting diagnosis, should consist of and be based on a comprehensive assessment battery, which does not rely on any one test or sub-test.  Individual "learning styles", "learning differences", "academic problems", and "test difficulty or anxiety", in and of themselves, do not constitute a learning disability. 
  • The tests used should be reliable, valid and standardized for use with an adolescent/adult population. 
  • The test findings should document both the nature and severity of the learning disability. 
  • The following professionals would generally be considered qualified to evaluate specific learning disabilities provided they have additional training and experience in the assessment of learning problems in adolescents and adults: 
    • Clinical or Educational Psychologists
    • School Psychologists
    • Neuropsychologists
    • Learning Disabilities Specialists
    • Medical Doctors.

Recommendations from professionals with a history of working with the individual provide valuable information for the review process. They will be included in the evaluation of requests for accommodation and/or auxiliary aids. Where such recommendations are congruent with the programs and services offered  by Olympic College, they will be given deference.  When recommendations go beyond the services provided by the college, they may be used to suggest potential referrals to service providers outside the college.

For individuals who are or have recently been receiving services from a state rehabilitation agency, the requested disability information may be contained in your most recent eligibility evaluation and/or your vocational plan.

For individuals transferring from another college, information related to your disability will not be sent with a transcript request.  You must request that information separately.  Additionally, the information requested at Olympic College may or may not have been a part of your previous college's evaluation process.

For individuals who have recently been receiving services from a public school system, the information requested may be found in your most recent psycho-educational battery/evaluation summary and must be requested separately from your high school transcripts. A school plan, such as a 504 or individualized education plan (IEP), is insufficient documentation, but may be included as part of a more comprehensive diagnostic battery.

The office of Student Disability Services (formerly Access Services) shall make determination of reasonable accommodations for students based on documentation provided. The authority to make such decisions on behalf of the institution has been assigned by the President of the College.

• It is the student's responsibility to personally request accommodations through Student Disability Services (formerly Access Services) each quarter. Students are encouraged to initiate the process as early as possible. The college will endeavor to respond to all requests in a timely manner; however, certain accommodations, auxiliary aids and services (e.g. interpreters, alternative format, assistive technology, adjustable furniture, etc.) may require substantial advance notice. Requests for these accommodations should be received 2-4 weeks in advance of the first day of classes.
• Students are also expected to meet and maintain academic standards, follow the student code of conduct and are encouraged to communicate with Student Disability Services staff regarding problems or issues as they arise.

All contact information and documentation received is kept in confidential files within the Student Disability Services (formerly Access Services) Office. Information from the file is provided on a "need to know" basis only, at the student's request, or with a signed consent. This typically means that the Student Disability Services  will share information related to the student's accommodation requests for reasons directly related to the request or for personal safety. Please contact the Student Disability Services for additional information on confidentiality.

Contact Student Disability Services

• Health Care Provider Form

Olympic College faculty and staff, visit the Student Disabilities Services intranet site for more info and frequently asked questions regarding student accommodations. 

Student Disability Services Intranet

The Emotional Support Animal request process for the Olympic College Residence Hall is housed within Student Disability Services. Please follow these step-by-step instructions to complete the process. 

REQUESTING AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL (ESA) ON CAMPUS

1. Eligibility

Students seeking to have an ESA in college housing or on the Olympic College campus must be enrolled with the college.  The student must have a documented disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The ESA must be part of a treatment plan by a licensed mental health professional with whom the student has an ongoing therapeutic relationship.

2. Request Process

Students must submit a request for an ESA to Student Disability Services (SDS), along with documentation from a licensed mental health professional outlining the need for the ESA.  Request can be made via the SDS online request system.  Requests should be made at least 20 days before the start of the quarter or as soon as the need for an ESA is identified.  If you need assistance completing your request, please visit the SDS office and we will assist you.

3. Documentation Requirements

Documentation must be dated and signed by a licensed mental health professional on official letterhead. It must confirm that the student is considered a person with a disability under the ADA, include the functional impact of the disability, and show the need for the ESA as part of the treatment plan.

4. Approval Process

SDS will review the request, documentation and discuss the request with the student to determine whether the student is eligible for an ESA.  If approved, the student will be notified and provided with information on ESA guidelines and responsibilities.  After approval, students must provide a statement of health from the ESA’s veterinarian, proof of vaccinations, and licensing as appropriate.  Students may not bring an animal into Olympic College housing or onto campus until SDS has approved them and has provided the above-mentioned documentation.

5. ESA Agreement

If the student is approved to bring their ESA to campus, the student must meet with the Director of SDS and the Resident Hall Manager (as applicable) to complete the ESA Agreement outlining handler responsibilities.  Approved students are not allowed to bring their ESA to campus until this is complete.

6. Renewal Process

Students with an approved ESA may be required to renew their request each academic year.  Renewal requests must include updated documentation from a licensed mental health professional.

7. Revocation of Approval

Approval for an ESA may be revoked if the ESA violates any guidelines or if the student no longer meets the eligibility criteria.

8. Appeals Process

Students have the right to appeal a decision regarding their ESA request.  Appeals should be made per the Student Disability Services grievance procedure.   

10. Compliance

Failure to comply with the ESA policy and guidelines may result in disciplinary action, including removal of the ESA from college housing.

Disclaimer

This policy is subject to change and may be updated as needed. Students are encouraged to review the most current version of the process on the college website or contact the housing office for the most up-to-date information.