Germanna Community College is required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide auxiliary aides and services to qualified students with documented disabilities. Federal law defines a disability as: “A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities”. Major life activities are defined as the ability to perform such functions as:
- Walking
- Seeing
- Hearing
- Breathing
- Speaking
- Learning
- Working
- Taking care of oneself
It is important to note that a mental impairment in and of itself does not necessarily constitute a disability. The impairment must be significant enough to “substantially limit” one or more major life activities.
Germanna strives to ensure that qualified students with psychiatric disabilities are appropriately accommodated, and if possible, that these accommodations do not jeopardize successful therapeutic interventions. The college does to modify requirements that are essential to the program of instruction or provide accommodations for persons whose impairments do not substantially limit one or more major life functions.
This form is designed to allow us to achieve these goals. Students who wish to receive academic adjustments due to a psychiatric disability need to have this form filled out by a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed social worker, or licensed professional counselor.
The professional completing this form:
- Must have first-hand knowledge of the student’s condition.
- Must have experience diagnosing and treating college students.
- Be an impartial professional who is not related to the student.
Please return documentation/evaluations to Win Stevens.