Office of Specialized Services
è	Accommodations Process

 

Please review the step-by-step process below:

• Step 1:  Apply to the College
• Step 2:  Provide Documentation.
• Step 3:  Documentation Review Process.
• Step 4:  Accommodations Orientation.
• Step 5:  Registration.

Step 1:  Apply to the College.

• If you have not already applied to the college please complete the application.  You can apply on-line at http://admissions.bergen.edu/admissions/application/apply.asp  or a paper application is available at the Admissions Office, room A-129, in the Pitkin Education Center (also know as the Main Building,). 
• Once your application is processed, you will receive a letter inviting you to take the Basic Skills Placement Test called the Accuplacer. 
  • If you are requesting extended time for this test, please disregard the letter from the Office of Testing and Assessment and do not take the placement test.   Once your documentation is reviewed you will be instructed how to schedule your placement test.  To receive testing accommodations your documentation must demonstrate the need. To request a sign language interpreter, please visit http://www.bergen.edu/ccde for instructions.
  • If you are not requesting extended time for this test, please follow the instructions on the letter from the Office of Testing Services. For information please visit the Office of Testing Services 

     

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Step 2:  Provide Documentation.  

1. Download and complete the following form: Documentation Cover Sheet
2. Attach the completed documentation review cover sheet to the copy of your documentation. Do not send the original.
3. Please send the paperwork (copy of your documentation and completed documentation review cover sheet) to: 

The Office of Specialized Services

Bergen Community College

400 Paramus Road, Room L-116

Paramus, NJ 07652

 

You will receive a   blue   letter  confirming receipt of your documentation.

 

Acceptable Documentation for College Accommodations:

 

Learning Disability

Students with a learning disability are required to provide a comprehensive psychological and education evaluation. Testing should be comprehensive and include current measures of aptitude (e.g. WAIS-R), achievement (e.g. current levels of functioning in reading, math and written language), and information processing. A qualified profession must conduct the evaluation.


Attention Deficit Disorder (AD/HD)

Students with Attention Deficit Disorder are required to submit documentation that substantiates a diagnosis of AD/HD. Documentation should include evidence of impairment, relevant testing information and a summary which includes recommended academic supports. A qualified professional must conduct the evaluation.


Psychological Disability

Students with a psychological disability are required to submit documentation by a licensed mental health professional that includes a clear statement of the disability, including the DSM-IV diagnosis, summary of present symptoms and how they impact a person’s ability to learn in an educational setting and recommended academic accommodations. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make a diagnosis as well as a statement indicating student is not a danger to self or others. Medical information relating to medications prescribed and their impact on student’s ability to meet academic requirements should also be provided.


Physical/Medical Disabilities

Students with physical or medical disabilities are required to present documentation from physicians or medical specialists with an expertise in the area for which accommodations are being requested. Documentation should include a clear statement of the diagnosis, the impact the disability has on the student’s ability to function in an academic setting and any recommended accommodations or supports that will be needed.


In the case of all disabilities, all documentation should indicate that the disability substantially limits some major life activity including learning. 

 

• Documentation cannot be more than 3 years old.
• For more information about documentation guidelines, please visit: http://www.bergen.edu/pages/759.asp 

NOTES: If your submitted documentation is incomplete, you will receive a   yellow  letter  requesting addition information.

Download and complete the following form: Additional Documentation Cover Sheet
1. Attach the completed documentation review cover sheet to the copy of your additional documentation ( Do not send the original ) and send it the aforementioned address.

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Step 3:  Documentation Review Process.

All new documentation is evaluated  to determine eligibility for OSS/CCDE services.  The Documentation Review Committee meets bimonthly.  The Office of Specialized Services will notify you by mail when the decision is made on your request for services (accommodations).

 

*We treat all information in a private and confidential manner. 

 

You will receive a letter either confirming eligibility for services or requesting additional documentation.

  

Services (accommodations) may include one or more of the following:

Extended Time for test taking	Use of calculator
Notetakers	Interpreter
Assistive Technology	C-Print Captioning
Tutoring	Reader
Tape recorder usage	Scribe
Individual Registration Assistance	Preferential Seating

 

Services that are not provided at Bergen Community College are:

 

• Special Education Classes
• Transportation
• Personal Attendant Care

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 Step 4:  Accommodations Orientation.

New! - At the end of the accommodations process, you will receive a letter from the Office of Specialized Services confirming your eligibility for services. To receive the following accommodations: Extended Time, Notetaking, Calculator Usage, you MUST attend an orientation for each accommodation. These workshops include:

• Notetaking
• Extended time 
• Calculator usage

If further information is needed, please check our website at:  http://www.bergen.edu/oss 

 

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 Step 5:  Registration.

If you have received your accommodation forms (refer to the   pink   letter ) and have already taken the Accuplacer placement test, it is time to register for classes:

 

• If you have the “Individual Registration Assistance” accommodation, go to the Office of Specialized Services (Room L-116) to make an appointment with one of the Office of Specialized Services Academic Counselors.
• If you do NOT have the “Individual Registration Assistance” accommodation, go to the Academic Advisement Center (Room A-101, Pitkin Education Center), a place for students to go with questions regarding their Basic Skills Test results, degree requirements, and College policies and procedures. All new students are encouraged to attend one or more new student academic advisement information sessions (including registration workshops).  

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO OSS MAIN PAGE

 

 

Page last updated in October 2009.