Accommodations for Disabilities  

Transition from High School

There are many differences between high school and college. In college, students are responsible for their own self-management and advocacy. Additionally, the laws that affect students with disabilities are different. For more information, you may contact the ADA Coordinator.

What is ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (P.L. 101-336) is the most comprehensive civil rights legislation adopted to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities. Public and private businesses, state and local government agencies, private entities offering public accommodations and services, transportation and utilities are required to comply with the law. The ADA was signed into law by President George Bush on July 26, 1990, extending civil rights protections to individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

What is a disability?

In addition to physical disabilities, many people with disabilities have “invisible” disabilities; that is, you can’t tell by looking at them that they have a disability. For example, some medical conditions and learning disabilities are “invisible” disabilities.

What are the benefits to meeting with the ADA Coordinator about my disability?

Working with the ADA Coordinator and your professors can make a huge difference in your college career. Along with creating accommodations for your classes, mental health counseling services are also available. Remember to schedule an appointment with the ADA Coordinator in the first ten days of classes each semester to keep your accommodations updated for each semester.

What do I need to start the process?

After being accepted to Bryan College, you can submit an 1) Application for Accommodation as well as 2) documentation. Documentation should be current, preferably within the last three years. (The age of acceptable documentation is dependent upon the disabling condition: i.e. older documentation may be accepted for conditions that are permanent, etc.)

Documentation must include specific diagnosis, description of the functional limitations that may affect academic performance, rating of severity, recommendations for accommodations, and medications currently used and may only be from a physician, psychologist, or social worker who is qualified to assess the disability and is not related to the student. 

For more information, please contact:

Lorraine Doran, Bryan College ADA Coordinator
P.O. Box 7818 Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: 423.775.7173 
Fax: 423.775.7330 (ATTN: Lorraine Doran) 
ldoran3909@bryan.edu