Student Affairs

03:08:00 Access and Disability Support Services 

1. Referral Policy
   1. Students may be referred to the Center for Access and Disability Services (CAADS) by an instructor, a staff member, or may selfidentify. Referrals may also come from outside agencies, such as Vocational Rehabilitation, the AIM Center, and Signal Centers.
2. Procedure for Registering with Disabilities
   1. Chattanooga State and CAADS make every effort to inform current and potential students about services for students with disabilities. Statements are included with each course syllabus informing students about services that are available, as well as information provided in the College catalog, Student Handbook, and online. In order to receive services from CAADS, a student must self-identify as having a disability with CAADS, complete a student data form, and provide appropriate documentation to support the claim of a disability. CAADS staff will meet individually with students who self-identify and discuss the need for accommodations and/or modifications in the classroom or for college-sponsored activities.
3. Documentation of Disability
   1. Chattanooga State Community College recognizes the historical and systemic disparities that exist within our healthcare systems and society at large. These disparities can often have adverse and unintended consequences that further marginalize populations.  We recognize these disparities exist among our student population and can directly affect a student’s ability to provide medical documentation for a disability.  While CAADS’ standard is to request that students wishing to register with the office provide paperwork verifying a diagnosis from an appropriate professional, CAADS is committed to working with every student to find appropriate and creative ways of ensuring access.
4. American Sign Language
   1. Students who use American Sign Language interpreting are provided that accommodation after having undergone an interactive process with a CAADS staff member.  In that meeting, which may happen with an interpreter present, the staff member will explain how interpreting works and will ask the student to sign the ASL interpreting agreement. 
   2. The student will understand that all class schedules and requests for interpreting must be reported to CAADS so that a qualified interpreter will be assigned.  CAADS provides interpreting for in-person classes, virtual classes, other campus offerings (such as in-person tutoring) and some meetings (such as in-person or virtual check-ins with academic advisors).  At least 48 hours’ notice must occur for the student to request interpreting for an event.   
   3. Services for interpreting are ordered through CAADS.  Students may not work directly with interpreters to schedule interpreting for themselves. 
   4. Interpreters will only be scheduled during CAADS business hours, during specified class times, during professor office hours, or during pre-scheduled in-person tutoring. 
   5. Students should notify CAADS at least 48 hours in advance for any cancellation, such as missing a class or a previously scheduled meeting.  If a student misses two classes or scheduled events, they will be charged up to $30 per hour per instance.  If the student does not pay incurred charges by the end of the semester, they will have a financial hold placed on their college accounts.  
5. Class Absence for Any Student Registered with CAADS
   1. Students who miss class, except for excused absences related to illness or flare-ups of the condition related to the disability, will not receive notes or videos from the missed classes. 
6. Grievance
   1. Chattanooga State Community College is committed to providing a quality educational experience for all students. Students have access to established procedures for respectfully presenting and addressing their concerns/complaints to the college. If a student with a disability feels he/she has been treated unfairly or discriminated against because of the disability, the student should 
   2. contact the CAADS Director to discuss the situation if they feel comfortable doing so.  If the student is not satisfied after talking with the CAADS Director or would like to bypass talking with the CAADS director, they may complete a Student Complaint Form that may be found either on the CAADS webpage on the main website or under “How Do I Report” found at the bottom of the main webpage at Chattanoogastate.edu.  Once the complaint form is completed and submitted, it will be reviewed by the Director of Student Conduct who will evaluate the situation and conduct the investigation.  The campus’ Director of ADA and the CAADS Director may take part in the investigation, when appropriate and as needed.  Efforts will be made to find a resolution, and the Director of Student Conduct will evaluate if discrimination has taken place. If both parties agree to the resolution, it will be implemented.  If the student is not satisfied with the proposed resolution, they may exercise their rights to contact other entities that oversee discrimination instances on college campuses. 
   3. The grievance process will be kept confidential, as much as possible.  Please note that staff, faculty, and administrators who are named in the complaint will be interviewed by the Director of Student Conduct regarding the matter.        

Submitted to Policy Review Committee on September 25, 2023

Submitted to Policy Review Board on October 23, 2023

Approved by Policy Review Board on November 27, 2023

Previous Version(s):

Submitted to Policy Review Committee on June 13, 2022

Submitted to Policy Review Board on July 15, 2022

Approved by Policy Review Board on July 27, 2022

Approved: Executive Staff, 2018
Approved: President’s Cabinet, 2018
Approved: President, 2018
Reviewed and Revised by: Student Affairs, 2018