The purpose of Blue Ridge Community College Office of Student Accessibility is to provide reasonable accommodations and support for students with disabilities intended to facilitate equal access to postsecondary programs, courses, and college-sponsored events.
Am I eligible for services?
According to The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, a student with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment; has a history of impairment; or is believed to have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity such as learning, speaking, seeing, hearing, breathing, walking, caring for one’s self, or performing manual tasks.
Documentation of a diagnosed disability is required for eligibility for services.
- I may have a disability but I have not been diagnosed. How can I get evaluated?
Evaluation Resources
- What documents do I need to register with Student Accessibility?
Documentation Guidelines
Requesting Accommodations
How do I register with Student Accessibility?
- 1. If you have not already done so, complete a BRCC Admissions Application.
- 2. Complete and submit the Student Accessibility Intake Form.
Note: If you did not submit documentation (Documentation Guidelines) on the Intake form, please use DropSecure . - 3. Student Accessibility will contact you.
Once you have submitted your documentation please allow up to 7 days for review. You will then be contacted by Student Accessibility via email to schedule a one hour appointment and complete the process.
Resources
BRCC has a dedicated accessibility lab, equipment loan, room reservations, and more:
Assistive Technology Lab
The following assistive technology is available by appointment:
- Audio digital recorders – Record lectures for playback on the device or transfer to a computer.
- Dragon Naturally Speaking – Coverts spoken words into text and lets you operate a computer hands-free.
- Zoom Text – Magnification and screen reading software for people who are visually impaired.
- Livescribe Smartpens – Synchronizes spoken lecture in audio form with written notes in video form to replay the classroom experience at a later time.
- Jaws – Screen reading software with keystroke navigation.
Equipment Loan
Smart pens, digital recorders, and other assistive devices are available for checkout on a semester basis.
To request a device, please complete the loan request form:
BRCC Accessibility Services does not provide evaluations for disabilities. If you require an evaluation for a learning disability or need documentation for other types of disabilities, please consult an appropriate outside provider.
If you have previously registered with the Office of Student Accessibility, you still need to fill out the Request for Letters of Accommodation form every semester.
If you have an accommodation for a separate testing space, in order to get this space you must reserve a room in the Office of Student Accessibility or the Testing Center before the test.
In Advance of the Test
A testing space must be reserved at least two weekdays prior to the test using the Testing Room Reservation Form.
If you are eligible and need a live reader or scribe, the form should be filled out at least 1 week prior to the test.
You will also need to notify your instructor of your testing request at least two weekdays prior to the test.
If you do not notify your instructor and reserve a separate room (and a live reader or scribe if eligible) these accommodations may not be available.
Shuttle Service
Shuttle service is available to and from the Weyers Cave campus. The North Shuttle serves the Harrisonburg area and the South Shuttle services the Staunton area. Shuttle service is free to students with a valid BRCC ID card.
Tutoring
Free tutoring services are available to BRCC students.
Contact
Get in touch with the Student Accessibility team!
Nicole Stephens
Student Accessibility Coordinator
accessibility@brcc.edu
(540) 453-2559
VA Relay 711