Office of Specialized Services
è	Frequently Asked Questions Audience:      PARENTS

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1. What are my roles, rights, and responsibilities now that my son/daughter is in college?
2. Will the Individual Education Plan (IEP) my son/daughter used in high school apply to the college setting?
3. Will there be a special support class at the college setting to accommodate my son/daughter who was classified in high school?
4. My child has a one-to-one aide at high school. Will the college supply an aide?
5. My child uses a wheelchair. Will the college provide transportation?
6. Will I be notified of my son/daughter’s academic progress?
7. May I speak to any of the college personnel regarding my child?
8. Is a nurse/physician made aware of the medications my child takes? Will she/he administer them?
9. I have a personal advocate for my child. May this person be hired at the college level?
10. Will the transfer services be available for my disabled child in assisting with transfer process to a four-year college?
11. Will the same accommodations given at the two-year institution apply at the 4-year college? Will the college send the appropriate paper work to the transfer college?
12. What should my son/daughter do if they are having academic difficulties? 
13. Will the college assist my disabled child in finding a job after college?

 

 1. What are my roles, rights, and responsibilities now that my son/daughter is in college?

·        Be supportive regarding your son/daughter's successes and failures.

·        Encourage and practice advocacy and decision making skills with your son/daughter.

·        Encourage your son/daughter to initiate their own appointments and communications with the Office of Specialized Services staff, instructors, and other college personnel.

·        Remain connected through quality communication with your son/daughter in order to stay informed regarding their progress in college.

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2. Will the IEP my son/daughter used in high school apply to the college setting?

The Individual Education Plan (IEP) ends when the student completes high school. Some of the accommodations listed in the IEP may apply at the college setting under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This will depend on how the information in the IEP meets the college documentation guidelines. Additional information is available at http://www.bergen.edu/pages/759.asp and http://www.bergen.edu/pages/767.asp

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3. Will there be a special support class at the college setting?

There are no special or support classes at the college setting, although there may be support services available. Your son/daughter is expected to complete all academic requirements.

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4. My daughter/son has a one-to-one aide at high school. Will the college supply an aide?

The college does not provide personnel assistant care. We encourage your son/daughter to contact local agencies or communities such as Bergen County Division on Disabilities, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and Bergen County Vocational Rehabilitation Service… for assistance. Their representatives will explain the personal care assistant program to your child.

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5. My child uses a wheelchair. Does the college provide transportation?

The college does not provide transportation services. Your son/daughter, like any BCC student, has access to public transportation or may qualify for New jersey Transit Access Link services. If students with disabilities choose to drive themselves to school and their vehicles have “Handicapped Stickers”, they may park in reserved college parking areas. Guidelines for medical parking are available at http://www.bergen.edu/pages/2449.asp

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6. Will I be notified of my son/daughter's academic progress?

All students have access to their academic information by way of their Web Advisor account. Your son/daughter is the best resource for any information pertinent to his/her academic status.

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7. May I speak to any of the school personnel regarding my child?

Your son/daughter is now responsible to advocate for him or herself.

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8. Is the college nurse made aware of the medications my child takes? Will he/she administer them?

It is very important that your son/daughter submits the most updated medical records to the college Health Services Office staffed by Registered Nurses.

It is the students’ responsibility, however, to administer their medications.

Feel free to direct any question regarding the first aid, emergency care, health information, and heath counseling for students to the Health Services Office located in room HS100, Pitkin Education Center.

Additional information is available at: http://www.bergen.edu/pages/2444.asp

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9. I have a personal advocate for my child. May this person be hired at the college level?

The college has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by federal regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Complaints should be addressed to the Manager of Training and Compliance, who has been designated to coordinate Section 504/ADA compliance efforts.

For further details, please log on: http://www.bergen.edu/pages/762.asp

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10. Will the transfer services be available for my disabled child in assisting with the transfer process to a four year college?

Through the College Counseling Office, students can meet with transfer counselors to discuss their transfer needs. That office also hosts a Transfer Fair each semester where students can meet and speak with transfers counselors from various colleges/universities. Students are encouraged to attend these events.

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11. Will the same accommodations given at the two year college apply at the four year? Will the college send the appropriate paperwork to the transfer college?

Every college has a disability support services office that assists students with the accommodation process. Policies and procedures may vary from institution to institution. It is the student’s responsibility to provide copies of his/her disability documentation to the transfer college.

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12. What should my son or daughter do if they are having academic difficulties?

Students can go to the Henry and Edith Cerullo Learning Assistance Center, located in room L-125, Pitkin Education Center for help. Professional and peer tutors are available to provide free assistance in a variety of subjects. Further details about tutorial support services are available at: http://www.bergen.edu/pages/2192.asp.

Additionally, the Academic Advising Center ( http://www.bergen.edu/pages/680.asp ), located in Room A-101, Pitkin Education Center, and the Counseling Center ( http://www.bergen.edu/pages/716.asp), located in room A-118, Pitkin Education Center; offer a wide variety of services, including helping students acquire the tools necessary for student success for all Bergen Community College students. 

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13. Will the college assist my disabled child in finding a job after college?

The Cooperative Education and Career Center, located in Room C-100, Pitkin Education Center, has a variety of programs that assist students enrolled at the College to get internships, community services, part-time or full-time jobs. The college through this center coordinates workforce events to campus (i.e job fair, etc.) where students can go and seek any advice for work-related problems.

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page last edited October 2007.