About the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)

Purpose

The OSD exists to determine and ensure reasonable and appropriate accommodations and modifications for qualified students with documented disabilities, to assist students in self-advocacy, to educate the Valencia community about disabilities, and to ensure compliance with the ADAAA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Objectives

  • To facilitate the highest levels of educational excellence and potential quality of life for students with disabilities
  • To support the institution's academic standards.
  • To strive to achieve the highest levels of competence and integrity in all areas of support to adult students with disabilities. This support is guided by the consistent use of objective, professional judgment in all areas, especially when addressing the confidential nature of a student's disability.
  • To develop strategies, skills, and knowledge pertinent to the highest quality of disability service delivery through participation in professional activities and educational opportunities designed to strengthen the personal, educational, and vocational quality of life for students with disabilities.
  • To actively support and clarifying institutional, state, and federal laws, policies, and procedures applicable to the delivery of services for students with disabilities.
Role of the Office for Students with Disabilities
  • Determines reasonable accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities.
  • Provides support staff on each campus to work with students to determine appropriate accommodations and arrange support services.
  • Assists the College to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
  • Assists in the development of self-advocacy and self-determination skills.
  • Maintains and protects the confidentiality of student records as required by law.

Confidentiality

All documentation provided to the Office for Students with Disabilities will be strictly confidential. No information, except as provided by law, will be released to anyone, including parents, without the student's written consent. Students may sign a FERPA release form to allow communication with outside entities, family, etc.