Office of Student Accessibility Services
(formerly the Special Populations Office)

Welcome

Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) serves as a catalyst for individual, community, and economic development by empowerment through accessible lifelong learning. We are committed to learning by supporting and assisting students in achieving their educational goals. The Office of Student Accessibility Services partners with other departments in order to ensure access to education and services offered to all students.

Student Accessibility Services works to establish educational accommodations for students who qualify for services in compliance with The American with Disabilities Act and its Amendments as well as Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. The coordinator meets with the student to review their needs and, when deemed reasonable, creates an accommodation plan that is shared with faculty and staff as requested by the student.

Obtaining Accommodations

Note: Some accommodations take longer than others. Please make your request in writing at least 3 weeks in advance.

  • Complete an admission application with Central Carolina Community College Admissions Office.
  • The student must self-identify to the Office of Student Accessibility Services by completing the Student Identification Packet. It is the responsibility of the student to request accommodations.
  • Submit current documentation of the disability for which accommodations are requested. Current documentation is defined as documentation that was written within the last 3-5 years. If you do not have current documentation, please provide what you have and the coordinator will inform you of next steps as needed.
  • Once documentation is received and reviewed, the coordinator will email the student, using their Cougarmail Email to inform them of next steps including a request to meet. This meeting is required for accommodations and/or services to begin.
  • Schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services.
  • The student will meet with the Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services. This meeting is an interactive process and extremely helpful in making determinations. During this meeting the Coordinator and student will:
    • Discuss functional limitations and symptoms.
    • Discuss academic services and/or accommodations for which you are eligible.
    • Complete and sign the Accommodation Letter; and
    • Discuss Student Accessibility Services and/or Academic Assistance Center procedures and student responsibilities.

It is best to start this process as early as possible and at least three weeks prior to starting classes.

Continuing Students

Once you complete the initial identification process, students are responsible for notifying the Office of Student Accessibility Services each semester by completing a Student Schedule Request form (Link). Accommodation plans are emailed to faculty, advisors and test proctors as released by the student and/or needed to implement accommodations, plans are not active until student and their instructor(s) have signed them. It is best to complete this document as soon as the student registers for classes.

Medical Documentation Requirements

The standard format for medical documentation required by Central Carolina Community College's Office of Student Accessibility Services is as follows:

  • Diagnosis from an appropriate licensed professional (with signature)
  • Diagnosis on official letterhead with contact information (not on a prescription memo pad)
  • Information must be current (within 3 years) and include: diagnosis and symptoms, recommendation for academic accommodations, and a list of all currently-prescribed medications and side effects if not taken as prescribed

If you have additional documentation, please feel free to submit what you have available for review by the Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services.

Click for a more thorough explanation of each disabilities' documentation requirements

  • ADD/ADHD
    • Diagnosis from a licensed professional (physician, licensed psychologist, licensed counselor, neurophysiologist, or mental health professional)
    • Professional recommendation for accommodation
    • Professional list of current medication(s) and side effects if not taken as prescribed
  • Emotional (Psychiatric)
    • Diagnosis from a licensed clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensed clinical social workers, or other relevantly trained medical doctors
    • Professional recommendation for accommodation
    • Professional list of current medication(s) and side effects if not taken as prescribed
  • Hearing Impairment
    • Diagnosis of impairment from a licensed audiologist
    • Assessment should include functional limitations in an academic environment that would impede learning
    • Professional recommendation for accommodation
  • Learning Impairment
    • Diagnosis from a learning disability specialist or a licensed psychologist: clinical, educational, school, or neuropsychologist
    • Assessment must include aptitude-testing, achievement-testing, or analysis of information processing
    • Professional recommendation for accommodation
    • Professional list of current medication(s) and side effects if not taken as prescribed
  • Mental Impairment
    • Diagnosis and clear identification of symptoms by developmental pediatrician, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, neuropsychologists, etc.
    • A recent psychological or neuropsychological examination detailing the individual's current cognitive functioning as it impacts the educational environment
    • Professional recommendation for accommodation
    • Professional list of current medication(s) and side effects if not taken as prescribed
  • Orthopedic Impairment (Physical disability not clearly visible)
    • Documentation from a licensed/qualified professional such as a physician or a licensed physical therapist
    • Professional recommendation for accommodation
    • Professional list of current medication(s) and side effects if not taken as prescribed
  • Visual Impairment (Blind or Low Vision)
    • Documentation from an optometrist or ophthalmologist
    • Assessment should include functional limitations in an academic environment that would impede learning
    • Professional recommendation for accommodation

Temporary Disability

If you are expecting to have a surgical procedure, please communicate this to your Instructor(s) so that you both can establish how to be proactive at not missing assignments or falling behind in the material.

Follow the standard Office of Student Accessibility Services intake process by completing the necessary paperwork (intake packet). Students will still need to provide medical documentation which includes diagnosis, expected duration of condition, treatment, and limitations.

Scheduling an Appointment

Please call (919) 718-7414 or email sas@cccc.edu to schedule an appointment with the coordinator.

The Office of Student Accessibility Services is located on the Lee Main Campus in Hockaday Hall. Students will check-in in the lobby and the coordinator will be notified. To provide services to Harnett County and Chatham County, when possible the coordinator schedules regular office hours on the Lillington Main Campus and Pittsboro Main Campus or is available by virtual appointment.

It is best to schedule an appointment in advance to ensure your needs can be met in a timely manner.

Services available

  • Consultation for reasonable accommodations
  • Adapting a classroom for a student who uses a wheelchair with adjustable height tables or other appropriate equipment
  • Testing accommodations such as extending time on tests, distraction-reduced environment, and, alternative formats to meet specific needs
  • Providing for the use of assistive technology such as read aloud, text enlarger, or dictation software
  • Providing for the use of auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters, or books in alternative format
  • Permission to type essays or writing assignments

Non-Discrimination Statement

Central Carolina Community College will provide "appropriate academic accommodations." If the College can, it will provide the student with an auxiliary aid or accommodation that is equally as effective as the one being requested and less expensive. The College is not required to provide the more expensive auxiliary aid or accommodation.

Accordingly, it is the policy of Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) to foster a campus environment which empowers individuals to bring forth claims of illegal discrimination without fear of retaliation.

Illegal discrimination shall be defined as any action or decision that interferes or denies a person employment or participation in any educational program/activity at CCCC based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex and sexual orientation, gender, family status, disability status, Veteran status, or any health or genetic information.

Central Carolina Community College supports the protection available to members of its community under all applicable Federal Laws, including Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1991, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 799A and 845 of the Public Health Service Act, the Equal Pay and Age Discrimination Acts, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities ACT of 1990, and Executive Order 11375.

Please follow the Grievance Process Instructions listed on the Accommodations Appeals Form(link). Notification in writing should be filed by the complainant by completing the Accommodations Appeals Form.