Disability Services

The Program
These services recognize the rights of all qualified individuals with disabilities to equal access to an education as guaranteed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Disability Services Program at King's College are coordinated by the Academic Skills Center, located on the lobby floor of the Mulligan Science Center. The goal of these services is to maximize a person's educational potential while supporting independence and advocacy skills.

Who Is Eligible?
Services are available to members of the King's College community-any student, faculty, or staff member who has a disability. Individuals eligible for service include, but are not limited to, those with learning disabilities, autism spectrum or attention disorders, and mobility, orthopedic, hearing, vision or speech impairments. Students with food allergies, Celiac Disease, Gluten-related disorders, or other dietary restrictions may discuss these matters with the Disability Services Coordinator and Dining Services staff.  Additionally, individuals with temporary disabilities, such as those resulting from concussion, injury or surgery, may also be eligible for services.

Services
Students are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Coordinator of the Academic Skills Center upon considering King's College or any time through the admission process to discuss their concerns and to develop appropriate plans to meet their educational needs. A request for services or accommodations is initiated by registering with the Academic Skills Center and providing appropriate documentation.

Documentation on file for the applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. Clearly state the diagnosed disability or disabilities
2. Describe the functional limitations resulting from the disability or disabilities
3. Be current - i.e., completed within the last 5 years for LD or Autism Spectrum Disorders, last six months for food-related allergies/issues or psychiatric disabilities, or last three years for ADHD and other disabilities (NOTE: this requirement does not apply to physical or sensory disabilities of a permanent or unchanging nature)
4. Include complete educational, developmental, and medical history relevant to the disability for which testing accommodations are being requested
5. Include a list of all test instruments used in the evaluation report and relevant subtest scores used to document the stated disability (this requirement does not apply to physical or sensory disabilities of a permanent or unchanging nature)
6. Describe the specific accommodations requested
7. Adequately support each of the requested testing accommodation(s)
8. Be typed or printed on official letterhead and be signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis (include information about license or certification and area of specialization).

Fax Number: 570-825-9049

Mailing address:

Sheri Yech
King's College
Academic Skills Center
133 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711

Accommodations may include, as needed, extended time for testing, course registration assistance, orientation to campus, on-campus housing or dining arrangements, note taking support, and contact with faculty members, regarding academic accommodations. Disability Services provides a liaison role with disability related state and federal resources,

Students with learning disabilities interested in comprehensive services beyond accommodations should refer to the First-year Academic Studies Program, a component of the Academic Skills Center.

The Academic Skills Center will not release any information at any point in the disability accommodation process regarding an individual's diagnosis or medical information without his or her informed written consent.

Residence Life Services
A student with a disability who is continuing at the College will be given preference in housing that is handicapped accessible, if they have the required documentation and make a written request for special housing by March 1. New students must have their documentation of special housing needs and a written request submitted to the Academic Skills Office and the Office of Residence Life by June 15 to receive accommodation in accessible housing. After the due deadlines dates housing will be signed based on availability.

There are several Residence Hall options available for a student with a disability.

• Luksic Hall provides single rooms with handicapped accessible private or semi-private bathrooms.
• Holy Cross Hall offers two rooms connected to a shared handicapped bathroom on the first floor. In addition, one handicapped accessible room with private facilities is available per floor. An elevator is available to access all floors.
• Alumni Hall offers two handicapped accessible apartments available for upper-class students.
• Flood Hall has one apartment for handicapped accessibility. (Please note Flood Hall is located on a hill above the main part of campus).
• Gateway Corners Apartment Building has two apartments for handicapped accessibility for upper-class students which are located on the third and fourth floor and are accessible by an elevator.

Fulltime Attendant: If a student requires an attendant, a non-student attendant will be permitted to live in the room at no extra cost. An individual providing attendant care must be bonded through an appropriate agency. A copy of the necessary credentials must be provided to the Academic Skills Office and the Office of Residence Life. King's College does not provide, assume coordination, or financial responsibilities for personal attendant services.  It is the responsibility of the student to secure these services. Please note that the college maintains two single sex residence halls: Esseff Hall (females) and Holy Cross Hall (males). An attendant, if living in the either of these halls, is subject to the same residency restrictions.

Mobility Impaired

• Physical orientation to the campus
• Disability parking permits and parking spaces
• Regularly-scheduled sessions with staff to coordinate individual support services
• Referral to accessible housing on or off campus and for personal care attendant needs
• Liaison services with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

Blind Or Visually Impaired

• Physical orientation to the campus
• Regularly-scheduled sessions with staff to coordinate individual support services
• Alternative media texts
• Liasion services with Pennsylvania Blindness and Visual Services (BVS)

Hearing Impaired

• Regularly-scheduled sessions with staff to facilitate individual support services
• Coordination between student and faculty regarding the use of assistive devices
• Assistance in locating note-takers
• Liaison with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Learning Disabled

• Regularly-scheduled meetings with academic support staff to monitor academic progress and to coordinate individual support services
• Alternative media texts and Kurzweil Reader
• Coordination with student and faculty concerning assistive devices (tape recorders, spell checkers, talking calculators)
• Extended time for testingand assistance in note-taking, as appropriate

Disability Services Resources

If you have questions or comments about our services, please e-mail Mrs. Sheri Yech, Disability Services Coordinator or call us at 570-208-5841.

Association of Higher Education and Disability

Heath Resource Center: Online Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities

Preparing for PostSecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Education

Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

Student Resources

Faculty Resources

Campus Resources

Counseling Center
Administration Building - 6th floor
(570) 208-5873

Student Health Center
Andre Hall, 72 W. North St.
(570) 208-5852

Handicapped Parking
Campus Security and Safety Department
Luksic Hall - Lower Level
(570) 208-5926

All students are encouraged to contact King's Disability Services in the early stages of their college planning.

For more information on how a student with a disability can make the most of his or her college years, contact:

Sheri Yech
Academic Skills Center
Phone: 570.208.5800
E-mail: sheriyech@kings.edu