Services for Students with Disabilities

The faculty and staff at Grayson County Community College are dedicated to providing students with disabilities and special needs full access to programs and services by providing reasonable and effective accommodations that promote student independence.

The College has designated Wendell Williams to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which incorporates and expands upon the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Wendell Williams
Vice President for Student Services
6101 Grayson Drive, Denison, TX 75020
Telephone: (903) 463-8714

Accessing Disability Services:

Students requesting reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must provide information to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) from appropriately trained professionals, such as physicians, educational diagnosticians, licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, or other qualified professionals. Determining whether students are disabled as defined by the ADA and therefore entitled to reasonable accommodations is based on the documentation submitted. Documentation becomes part of students' educational records and is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Steps in Receiving Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

Step 1: Contact the Office of Disability Services
Students, who have applied to Grayson County College, may contact the Office of Disability Services at any time during regular office hours at the Academic Success Center (Days and hours vary during minimesters and summer.). To request services, students should contact the Office of Disability Services and complete a written request (hyperlink to PDF file: "Learning Support Request.") for accommodations.

Contact Information:
Grayson County College
Attn: Disability Services-Dana Bennett
6101 Grayson Drive
Denison, TX 75029
903-463-8751
bennettdann@grayson.edu

Step 2: Submit Supporting Documentation

• A specific diagnosis, including level of severity and duration
• The specific findings in support of the diagnosis, such as relevant history, tests administered, test results, and interpretation of test results
• A description of the student's functional limitations (symptoms) as they directly relate to the stated disabilities and impact academic performance
• Disability management by assistive devices (such as hearing aids, walkers, etc.) medications, treatments or other coping mechanisms
• Specific recommendations for reasonable accommodations (such as note takers, extended testing time, sign language interpreters, etc.) necessary for equal access in the academic environment. Side effects caused by medication for treatment of conditions when impacting academic performance
• Documentation on the professional's letterhead, signed and dated, with contact information, such as address and telephone number

Step 3: Schedule a Conference
The student and the Coordinator of Disability Services will work collaboratively to determine appropriate accommodations.

Step 4: Submit Approval of Accommodations to College Official
Approval forms are given to students to present to their instructors or other college officials. Forms state that students have provided evidence of disability and indicate specific academic accommodations for which students qualify.

Students are responsible for delivering approval forms to the appropriate officials. Some students may opt to receive accommodations in one class, but not receive accommodations in others. Approval forms are not retroactive and must be updated each semester. If students with disabilities attempt a class without receiving accommodations, they can not, unless given special approval by the instructor, ask to have accommodations applied to previous course work, exams, or quizzes.