Access & Disability Services - How to Access Services

Students with disabilities must meet the same admission standards as non-disabled students. Pierce College does not limit the number of qualified students with disabilities admitted to the college.

  1. Anyone with a disability is encouraged to make an appointment with the ADS Coordinator. It is the student’s responsibility to self-identify as an individual with a disability and provide verifying documentation.
  2. Provide documents of your disability and discuss with the ADS Coordinator any barriers in relation to courses, activities, or programs. A student is eligible for academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and services when qualifying criteria set forth by the Washington Association on Higher Education and Disability (WAPED) are met. Appropriate diagnostic information from a qualified licensed professional is required.
  3. Apply for admissions.
  4. Make an appointment with the Testing Center to take the COMPASS placement assessment.
  5. Meet with an Advisor to discuss educational goals and next steps to registration.
  6. Register for classes either in person or on-line.
  7. Meet with the ADS Coordinator to determine and request academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, or services.
  8. Take “green form” to instructor(s) for signature and return the signed form to the ADS office.
  9. Keep in touch with ADS during the quarter to ensure classes and all academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, or services are appropriate.

Visit the WAPED website for details on the criteria, and typical documentation required.

Confidentiality

Any retained documentation of a disability is treated as a confidential record. These records are maintained and kept with the ADS Office for seven years after the student leaves Pierce College.

Susan McPhee
Access and Disability Services Manager (FS)
(253) 964-6527

Brenda McKinney
Access and Disabilites Program Coordinator (FS)
(253) 964-6526

Katherine Yamaoka Hamilton
Access and Disability Services Manager (PY)
(253) 864-3301

Amanda Granata
Access and Disability Program Assistant (PY)
(253) 840-8335

Fort Steilacoom Contact

Voice: (253) 964-6468
TTY: (253) 964-6228
Fax: (253) 964-6449
dssaccess@pierce.ctc.edu Located in the Welcome Center

Puyallup Contact

Voice: (253) 840-8335
TTY: (253) 840-8474
Fax: (253) 864-3159
PuyDSSAccess@pierce.ctc.edu
Located in A115