COCC has a responsibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to ensure that no student with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards for admission to, or participation in, its programs is excluded from such participation. Of course, students with disabilities are also expected to make reasonable efforts on their own part to obtain the services they require, and to follow the procedures related to receiving those services. To do this, students need to be their own advocates.
Being your own advocate starts when you contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities and make your needs known. As you become established at COCC, we hope you will feel free to stay in contact with the SSD office for help and guidance and to keep lines of communication open.
As a College student, being your own advocate means you need to understand your special needs, how the college system works, and be able to speak up for yourself when things aren’t working for you. College is an adult environment and your attendance is voluntary. As the Oregon Transition Guide states, "students must be able to schedule their own time, get to classes, complete class assignments, prepare for tests, and ask for help when they think it is necessary."
Don’t expect faculty or staff to anticipate your needs for you. COCC is still a fairly small, friendly place and our staff is genuinely interested in helping you succeed, but this is your education, and you need to be in charge!
If you are unsure of the accommodations you might need for a particular class, or are unaware of which services or equipment are available at COCC to suit your needs, the place to start is the SSD office in BEC. The Coordinator of SSD can help you evaluate your needs and advise instructors on modifications which might be arranged.
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