Information for Prospective Students
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Student Services staff welcomes you to Lawson State Community College. Our counselors are committed to facilitating reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations to college students with disabilities. This information is designed to help you get accommodations and special services while you are a student at Lawson State Community College. Click here to view the complete Guide To Disability Services.
Registration for Accommodations/Disability Services
Lawson State Community College is committed to providing a quality environment to support and assist its students throughout the academic process. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, special services and accommodations are given on an individual basis once supporting documentation is provided. It is the responsibility of a student to notify the college of a disability that requires assistance. Requests for accommodations should be made prior to enrollment. Students requesting accommodation such as interpreters or captioning services should do so in a timely manner to ensure services can be arranged.
The steps for receiving ADA accommodations are as follows:
Step 1:
Contact on of our ADA Counselors on your select campus of choice.
Bessemer Campus:
Dr. Renay Herndon
A-Building, Student Services Center, Room 183
Phone: 205-929- 3419
Email:
rherndon@lawsonstate.edu
Birmingham Campus:
Mrs. Janine McCoy Jones
Academic Success Center- Suite 220
Phone: 205-929- 6396
Email:
jmccoy@lawsonstate.edu
Step 2:
Provide documentation that is appropriate and meets the guidelines according to Alabama State Board Policy.
Step 3:
Contact one of our ADA Counselors to schedule and participate in an interview with the counseling staff. Contact one of our ADA Counselors to schedule and participate in an interview with the counseling staff.
Step 4:
Assist with the selection of reasonable accommodations.
Step 5:
Submit your accommodations to each classroom or online instructor. Do NOT skip this step. It is the student's responsibility to notify the faculty member of your accommodations in order for he/she to follow such accommodations.
Admissions
The Admissions Office handles all applications for admission to Lawson State Community College. Admission standards are described in the College Catalog/Student Handbook and must be met by all students, regardless of disability. Applications for admission are available from the admissions Office and online. Accommodations for placement testing will be provided for those students who contact Renay Herndon at
(205) 929-3419 or Janine McCoy Jones at
(205) 929-6396. Appropriate documentation is required to receive accommodation services.
Financial Aid
Lawson State Community College’s financial aid packages (Federal Pell Grant, work study, supplemental grants, and scholarships) enable students form all economic backgrounds to attend Lawson State Community College. Financial aid is awarded based on need and merit, and students who wish to receive aid must reapply each year. If an individual with disabilities needs assistance in applying for financial aid, he/she should contact Renay Herndon at
(205) 929-3419 or Janine McCoy Jones at
(205) 929-6396.
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation is important to the success of all students; therefore, all new students are expected to attend the sessions conducted by Student Services. Students who anticipate a need for accommodations during the orientation process should contact Renay Herndon, Bessemer Campus, at
(205) 929-3419 or Janine McCoy Jones, Birmingham Campus, at
(205) 929-6396.
American with Disabilities ACT
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states:
No otherwise qualified individual with a disability, shall solely by reason of his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied of the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Under the provisions of Section 504, Lawson State Community College may not;
• Limit the admission of otherwise qualified students with disabilities
• Make pre-admission inquiries as to whether an applicant is disabled;
• Exclude an otherwise qualified student with a disability from any course of study
• Provide less financial assistance to students with disabilities than is provided to non-disability student.
• Counsel students with disabilities into more restrictive career paths than are recommended to non-disability
• Measure students achievements using modes which adversely discriminate against a student with a disability; or
• Establish rules and policies that have the effect of limiting participation of students with disabilities in educational programs or activities.
American with Disabilities ACT (ADA) of 1990:
This is a national mandate to end discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations and commercial facilities, and telecommunications.
• Title I: nondiscrimination in employment activities
• Title II: state and local government entities and programs must be made accessible, as well as public transportation systems
• Title III: programs, goods, and services provided to the public by private entities must be accessible by persons with disabilities
• Title IV: telecommunication services must be accessible to persons with hearing or speech impairments
• Title V: miscellaneous provisions