Determination of Accommodations

Accommodations are determined individually and are intended to eliminate institutional barriers for a qualified individual to have equal opportunities for participation.
Individuals who have a disability may be eligible for accommodations if they are experiencing barriers because of the interaction between their disability and an inaccessible aspect of their education.
Reasonable accommodations are not determined based on disability or diagnosis alone. A student’s disability plus specific institutional barriers shapes what accommodations may be reasonable.

Definition of Disability:

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) defines disability as:

a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
a person who has a history or record of such an impairment;
a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.

New York State Division of Human Rights defines disability as:

A physical, mental or medical impairment resulting from anatomical, physiological, genetic or neurological conditions which prevents the exercise of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic technique, or; a record of such an impairment, or; a condition regarded by others as such an impairment.

Accommodation Decision Making Framework

Under Section 504/ADA, the student with a disability must self-identify that they are a member of the protected class by providing appropriate supporting information to establish the presence of the disability AND the need for something to be done in order to assure equal access. Both Section 504 and Title II envision a meaningful and informed process with respect to the provision of modifications, e.g., through an interactive process between the college and the student.

When reviewing accommodation requests, Accessibility Services considers the following factors:

Is this a student with a disability?
What functional limitations are created by the student’s disability?

A Functional limitation is the inability to perform an action or activity in the same manner or within the same range as might be expected on average due to the physical or mental impairment.

Is there a barrier?

Anything within the academic and/or campus environment that interferes with a student's ability to: Fully engage and participate in the same activities, campus services, benefits and experiences offered to a person without a disability; Utilize the same information shared with everyone; Have the same opportunity to achieve. The disability + functional limitations + design of the environment.

Is there an accommodation that will effectively remove the barrier identified?

Unnecessary Academic Barriers + Disability Impact = Accommodations

Is the requested accommodation:

Logical: An accommodation is logical when there is a clear connection between: the disability, the functional limitations, and a specific academic or campus barrier.
Reasonable: If implemented, the proposed accommodation would be effective in removing the identified barrier to access. The accommodation does not pose a A) fundamental alteration, B) safety risk, or C) an undue financial/administrative burden.
Necessary: The accommodation provides effective access by removing a barrier that is connected to a disability.

Additional notes regarding accommodations:

Accessibility Services (AS) may approve or deny requested accommodations based on the information contained in the documentation supplied and during the interactive process.
If you have requested a specific accommodation, AS may offer that accommodation, or it may offer an effective alternative.
Accommodations are academic adjustments that allow a student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to meet an academic standard or requirement.
Accommodations do not reduce the established course standards or learning objectives.
Accommodations also do not lessen the expectations required of a college student to fulfill general academic responsibilities.

Please feel free to stop in Accessibility Services (CHM 100) or email accessibility@corning-cc.edu if you have any questions or need assistance.