Accommodations at WVC
Accommodations are individualized and always determined on a case-by-case basis. In other words, accommodations are based on the specific student's disability-related needs. All accommodations are provided in accordance with federal and state law.
How Accommodations Are Determined
Students must request accommodations through Student Access Services (SAS). The accommodation process is interactive and student-centered. In partnership with the student, we carefully consider what disability-related barriers are present at WVC and consider appropriate adjustments or services to address those barriers.
To be approved, an accommodation must clearly relate to a disability-related limitation and support equal access. Accommodations do not guarantee success, but make sure everyone has the same opportunity to be successful.
Types of Accommodations
This list includes common college-level accommodations but is not exhaustive. Not all students will be eligible for the accommodations listed. Accommodations are always determined on a case-by-case basis and cannot change the essential parts of a class. Some examples of college-level accommodations include:
- Adaptive furniture (e.g., accessible tables, adjustable chairs)
- Priority registration
- Alternative textbook formats (e.g., Braille, electronic textbooks)
- Notetaking tools or services
- Testing accommodations (e.g., additional time, change of environment)
- Preferential seating (e.g., next to door, near instructor, back corner)
- ASL interpreters or Real-Time Captioning (CART) services
Accommodations That Are Not Provided in College
College-level accommodations are not special education. Colleges provide accommodations for access, but do not guarantee outcomes or individualized instruction.
The following are not considered reasonable accommodations in higher education:
- Tutoring
- Retests
- Change of teaching style
- Modified curriculum or adjusted grading standards
- Changing an in-person course to hybrid or online
- Personal care attendant
- Paraeducators or individualized instruction
- Personal devices (glasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, etc.)
- Transportation to and from campus
There are many free resources available for ALL WVC students that may help support some of these needs:
WVC offers multiple FREE tutoring resources. WVC tutoring options include the STEM Center, the Write Lab (available on Canvas and in Person on the Wenatchee campus), and the Languages & Communications Lab. There are also tutoring resources for participants in grant-funded programs such as TRIO, CAMP, MESA, and the Student Grant's Center.
Students who need help paying for personal devices: consider connecting with our Student Benefits Navigator or our Counseling Staff. They may have funding options or know of resources to help you get what you need.
Temporary Accommodations
Temporary disabilities can also qualify for accommodations. Examples of temporary situations could include, but are not limited to: injuries or broken limbs, concussions, surgery recovery, or seasonal conditions.
Short conditions (lasting 1-2 weeks) are usually handled directly with the instructor. Longer and more impactful conditions should be referred to SAS for support.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you are entitled to rights and protections under Title IX. Reach out to our Title IX coordinator to learn more about your protections or to request reasonable adjustments due to your pregnancy.
If you experience disability-related barriers due to your pregnancy (e.g., gestational diabetes), you may be eligible to receive support from both Student Access Services and Title IX. Please reach out to one or both offices if you have questions and we will help you get the support you need.