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Parents and Families

A Message to Parents and Families

Disability Support Services understands that parents of students with disabilities may have more concerns than parents of typical college students. We hope the information on our web site helps provide you with the information you need to better understand post-secondary disability services so you can continue to support your student at this level.

Students who would like to be eligible for accommodations at GRCC must identify with our office and provide documentation of disability. A college student is an adult in the eyes of the law and is the only one who can initiate the accommodation process. Please encourage your student to register with DSS.  The college can not speak to a parent about student specific information without permission of a FERPA Form.  Check out additional information about student privacy at www.grcc.edu/privacy.

It may be difficult to accept this new role, especially if you are concerned that your student might not initiate or follow through with the process. It is true that being proactive and accepting personal responsibility are keys to college success. Social skills and awareness are also important. After college, your student will have to articulate the nature of his or her disability and assert the right to accommodations in the workplace. For legal, practical, and developmental reasons now is the time for your student to accept this responsibility and begin to self-advocate.

As parents, you have helped your student get to this educational goal of college enrollment. Congratulations! Your role is still crucially important, but it is different at the college level. We hope that becoming familiar with services and procedures at GRCC will reduce anxiety, help students pursue accommodations, and assist them in gathering necessary materials for a smooth transition to college.

You can help your student by:

  • Looking at the Disability Support Services website together.
  • Checking out the differences between college and high school services.
  • Making sure your student understands his or her diagnosis and is able to explain the diagnosis.
  • Encouraging your student to contact DSS soon after admission to GRCC.
  • Going over your student's documentation to make certain it is current and complete.
  • Asking your student to contact DSS with questions or for clarification.
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