Disability Services

Our Commitment to Accessibility

Male Student and Female student in class smiling

Catawba College is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, including those with disabilities. We believe that accessibility strengthens our campus community and enhances the educational experience for everyone.

Catawba College continuously works to improve accessibility across campus through:

Physical Access: Ensuring buildings, classrooms, and facilities are accessible
Digital Access: Making websites, online courses, and digital materials accessible according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA) - Report a Website Accessibility Issue
Program Access: Adapting programs and services to ensure equal participation
Training: Educating faculty and staff about disability awareness and accommodation implementation
Technology Expectations: All students are expected to use standard college-level technology, including Blackboard and institutional email, as part of their academic responsibilities. Students are encouraged to take advantage of built-in accessibility features available on their personal devices and operating systems (e.g., screen readers, text-to-speech, display and captioning settings). Students who require additional accommodations beyond these built-in tools should contact Disability Services to determine appropriate options.

Learn More:

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended in 2008 (ADA), and other applicable federal and state laws, Catawba College does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. All students have the right to participate fully in College programs, services, and activities.

Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.

Reasonable Accommodation: Modifications or adjustments to courses, programs, services, activities, or facilities that enable students with disabilities to have equal access without fundamentally altering the essential requirements of the program.

Disability Services: Our office coordinates disability services and works with students to identify and implement appropriate accommodations.

Human Resources: Our office coordinates disability services and works with employees to identify and implement appropriate accommodations

Step 1: Contact Our Office

Students who need accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office as early as possible, preferably before classes begin or when a need arises.

Employees who need accommodations should contact Human Resources when a need arises.

Contact Information:

Website: catawba.edu/disabilityservices
Email: Disabilityservices@catawba.edu
Location: 1310 Hedrick Building

Step 2: Provide Documentation

Provide appropriate documentation of their disability from a qualified professional. This documentation should:

Be current (typically within the last 3-5 years)
Clearly describe the disability and how it impacts major life activities
Include specific recommendations for accommodations
Come from a licensed professional qualified to diagnose the condition
Download the Disability Verification Form to share with your provider

Step 3: Meet with Our Staff

Students will meet with Disability Services staff to:

Review documentation
Discuss how the disability impacts academic performance
Identify appropriate accommodations
Develop an accommodation plan

Employees will meet with Human Resources staff to:

Review documentation and discuss workplace accommodation needs
Assess how the disability impacts essential job functions and work environment
Collaborate on developing reasonable workplace accommodations that enable effective job performance

Step 4: Implement Accommodations

Once approved, students will receive official accommodation letters to share with professors and staff as needed.

We are committed to responding promptly to all accessibility concerns and working collaboratively to find solutions. Students who believe they have experienced discrimination based on disability or who disagree with accommodation decisions may file a formal grievance:

Informal Resolution Procedures - TBA
Formal Complaint Process - TBA
Timeline for Responses - TBA
Appeal Procedures - TBA

Questions or Feedback

If you have questions about accessibility at Catawba College, need assistance accessing any of our programs or services, or would like to provide feedback about accessibility barriers, please contact us below: