The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law written to protect persons with disabilities from discrimination. The ADA defines disability as any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits the ability to perform major life activities, such as walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, breathing, taking care of oneself, learning or working.

Deciding whether a student is eligible for accommodations under the ADA is handled on a case-by-case basis. A disability, in and of itself, does not necessarily require accommodation. In order to require accommodation, a disability must limit functioning in school. The accommodations are then directly connected to any limitation that comes from the disability.

Types of Disabilities
You might have heard the saying that no two snowflakes are alike. The same thing can be said about persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities have many different characteristics. Sometimes a disability is obvious, and sometimes it is hidden. Physical and sensory disabilities are most often obvious.

Physical disabilities often result in a person using special equipment like a wheelchair or prosthetic limb. Persons with physical disabilities may have difficulty with movement or self-care.

Another type of disability that people are familiar with is sensory disabilities. Sensory disabilities affect the senses and include blindness and deafness.

Other disabilities are not easily noticed. These are sometimes called hidden disabilities and include psychiatric, cognitive and health-related disabilities.

The category of psychiatric disabilities includes bipolar disorder, depression, and many others. Persons with psychiatric disabilities sometimes take medication and/or attend therapy to aid in living successfully in the community.

Cognitive disabilities can vary considerably and are most often difficult to see. Learning disabilities are in this category. By definition, a person with a learning disability has a significant difference between ability and achievement in one or more areas. This often results in difficulty with learning, remembering or communicating information. Learning disabilities come in many different forms and they usually affect a person’s ability to complete school related tasks.

People may be considered as having a health-related disability if they have an illness like cancer, epilepsy, arthritis, or diabetes, among others. People may have an illness without having a disability.

Steps in Requesting Accommodations
If you have a record of having a disability or have one now, follow these steps to ask for services.

1. Contact the Disability Resources Center at (719) 549-3446 to set up an appointment.
2. Take documentation of your disability with you to the appointment.
3. At your appointment, documentation will be reviewed to develop a list of appropriate accommodations.

Answers to questions about being a student with a disability at PCC may be found by talking with a member of the Disability Resource Team. Many accommodations are available, and PCC staff are able and willing to assist you in any challenges you may face as a college student with a disability.