Equal Access for Students with Disabilities

Policies and Procedures - No. 1
Equal Access for Students with Disabilities

Mission Statement
Houston Community College’s Commitment

HCCS is strongly committed to providing an accessible and supportive environment for students with disabilities. The College offers a variety of support services that are available to students with special needs. Accommodations are an obligation of the Houston Community College under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. HCCS recognizes its responsibility not to discriminate against anyone who has a physical or mental impairment, which substantially limits one, or more major life activities; has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having an impairment.

Ability Services at each College of the Houston Community College System is responsible for arranging reasonable accommodations for all qualified students with documented disabilities to ensure equal access to all programs and activities at HCCS.

It is the responsibility of the ADA Counselor to increase faculty and staff awareness of the needs of students with disabilities as well as to enhance students’ own knowledge of their rights and responsibilities as recipients of accommodations. Students are also made aware of outside sources, such as Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Learning Ally (books on tape), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services through DARS (DHHS), and Division of Blind Services through DARS (DBS) and other agencies. These agencies provide financial, educational, and vocational assistance beyond what would be available through the College.

Title II of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) effectively implements Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at post-secondary institutions receiving financial assistance from the federal government. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against otherwise qualified individuals who meet the academic and technical standards required for admission. HCCS works to ensure access and to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified students with disabilities.

Accommodations must be arranged through Ability Services at the College the student plans to

attend. This includes students with learning disabilities, those who are physically challenged due to disease or an accident, those with psychological disabilities and all students qualified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.