Office of Specialized Services
è	Frequently Asked Questions Audience:     STUDENTS

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1. What is a “Current Documentation” of disability?
2. What are accommodations?
3. What services are not provided?
4. Is there financial aid available?
5. Is there transportation available?
6. What is the procedure for “Emergency Exit” if I am blind or physically disabled?
7. What Adaptive Technology is available?
8. What books on tape or other adaptive equipment is needed for home use?
9. What if my medical condition changes? 
10. How do I get a sign language interpreter?

11. Can I meet with a Counselor other than the one I am presently working with?

12. My professor will not let me take my tests in the Office of Testing Services even though I have accommodations... What should I do? 
13. Are there any remedial courses specifically for students with disabilities at Bergen Community College?

1. What is “Current Documentation” of disability?

Acceptable Documentation for College Accommodations: 

• We accept one or more of the following types of documentation:

o       Individualized Educational Plan (IEP):  this document should include most recent copy of Psychological and Educational Testing.

o       Medical Documentation:  Should indicate your disability, how it impacts your ability to function in college and what academic accommodations are recommended. 

o       Audiogram.

o       Snellen Chart. 

o       A letter from your Psychiatrist and Counselor/Therapist.  This letter should include:

a.       Mental Health Professional’s contact information

b.      DSM-4 Diagnosis

c.       Brief description of how major life functions may be impacted

d.      Recommended accommodations in college such as, extended time, preferential seating, notetaking etc. 

e.       Information regarding medications

f.        A statement that indicates the individual is not a danger to self or others.

• Other documentation that may be accepted includes information provided by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the Division for Developmental Disabilities (DDD) or the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. 
• Documentation cannot be more than 3 years old.

Please send a copy, do not send the original, of your documentation to:

The Office of Specialized Services

400 Paramus Road, Room S-131

Paramus, NJ 07652. 

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

2. What are Accommodations?

Accommodations are services that are individually based on each student’s disability and functional limitations. You must come to our office to obtain services, even if taking on-line classes. Services are not put in place automatically like they are in high school.

Accommodations may include use of a tape recorder, interpreters, notetakers, tutors or extra time for tests. Adaptive equipment is available in the library and in S-131.

Please plan early or the individual service you require may not be available.

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3. What services are not provided?
Colleges do not provide segregated Special Education. Students with disabilities must meet the same academic standards.

Appropriate behavior is also expected. The presence of a disability does not mean that inappropriate language or conduct is acceptable.

On-going psychiatric treatment is not provided, nor is personal attendant care.

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4. Is there financial aid available?
There are many sources of financial aid available, but most require meeting strict application deadlines. Plan early by contacting the Financial Aid Office at (201) 447-7148.

Other sources may include:

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
60 State St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 996-8970

Developmental Disabilities Council
1-800-792-8858

Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Newark, NJ 07101
(973) 648-2512

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5. Is there transportation available?

Be Sure To Call Early!!!
Access Link (973) 491-7000 or (800) 955-2321
TTY: (800) 955-6765

For further details, log on:
http://www.njtransit.com/as_al.shtml

Bergen County Community Transportation
178 Essex St.
Lodi, NJ 07644

Tel. (201)-368-5955
Fax. (201)-845-4683

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6. What is the procedure for “Emergency Exit” if I am blind or physically disabled?
Staff will review the procedure during orientation. There are “Areas of Rescue” on each of the floors, except the Main Floor. There are telephones at each “Area of Rescue” that will link you with our Public Safety Office.

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7. What adaptive technology is available?
There is adaptive technology in our dedicated lab in Room S131, the Library, the Tech Building and other labs and classrooms.

The Adaptive Technology includes JAWS, ZoomText, Kurzweil, Co:Writer and Inspiration. Please have a set of headphones for personal use.

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8. What books on tape or other adaptive equipment is needed for home use?
Check with:
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
http://www.rfbd.org/
or:
www.bookshare.org

that all may read…
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
http://lcweb.loc.gov/nis/

For adaptive technology at home contact:
Adaptive Technology Center
College of New Jersey
609-771-2610
at: http//adaptivetech.tcnj.edu/

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9. What if my medical condition changes?
Please keep the Nurse’s Office informed as to any serious or permanent changes.

If you experience seizures, on-going fevers or infections, have a progressive type of condition, or take several types of medications, please make sure the enclosed medical form describes your situation.

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10. How do I get a sign language interpreter?
To request a sign language interpreter, please contact :

Collegiate Deaf Education Center, located in room B-101, Pitkin Education Center or  send E-mail to the following address: CCDE@bergen.edu  

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11. Can I meet with a Counselor other than the one I am presently working with?
-For academic counseling: you may work with one of two OSS Academic Counselors or you may choose to meet with an Academic Counselor in the Counseling Center.

-For accommodations: it is recommended to remain consistent with one Accommodations Specialist.

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12. My Professor will not let me take my tests in the Office of Testing Services even though I have accommodations... What should I do?
Contact your Accommodations Specialist immediately if you are having difficulty obtaining your accommodations.

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13. Are there remedial courses specifically for students with disabilities at Bergen Community College? 
Bergen Community College (BCC) does not offer Special Education courses.   BCC does offer developmental courses in Mathematics and English for all students who qualify based on their Accuplacer Placement Test scores.

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page last edited October 2007.