The Office for Special Needs Services

LRC Building Room 115
366-4058 TDD 366-4135 Fax 366-4652
Office Hours are M-F 8:30 am 4:30 pm
Extended hours by appointment

Coordinator Theo Scott ext. 4058

Mission: The Office for Special Needs Services enhances the accessibility of programs and facilities for a culturally diverse population of students with disabilities and those that serve them. OSNS provides consultation and referrals, ensures secure documentation of needs, and facilitates reasonable accommodations. The Office partners with community organizations by participating in recruitment and outreach activities.

Procedure: A student may receive assistance by first contacting the staff in the Office for Special Needs Services. An intake appointment will be scheduled at which time the student will explain his/her special needs and request accommodation if needed. At LCCC "reasonable accommodation" means what is possible, agreed upon and acceptable. It must be based on the students disability, the degree of disability and the documentation. Written documentation of disability is required to receive appropriate accommodations.

• Click here to download an INTAKE form

Documentation: A letter from a Doctor, therapist, case manager or worker on proper letterhead outlining the disability and its effects on learning will be considered proof of a disability. For students recently graduated from high school, the most recent IEP, (Individualized Education Plan) and Multi-factored testing results are required. Click here to download the Certificate of Disability (students with a suspected learning disability will be given information on testing sites and time to complete testing and receive a diagnosis while still receiving temporary accommodations). LCCC does not provide testing but may refer students to appropriate community resources for testing.

E-mail mailto:tscott@lorainccc.edufor a listing of agencies that provide testing.

Assessment: Students interested in taking the ASSET test in the OSNS in place of the COMPASS test in the Computer labs in the College Center must make the OSNS aware of their choice as soon as possible. Most new students are required to take the Asset/Compass Assessment before they enroll in English or Math, or register for more than six credit hours. Exceptions are made for those who have eligible ACT or SAT scores, or college degrees or some transfer and transient students. Your placement results will determine the level of coursework that is appropriate for you. Developmental courses will help you to correct any academic deficiencies you may have so you can build a foundation for success at LCCC.

Accessibility: Lorain County Community College is a handicapped accessible facility. All campus buildings have elevators and handicapped accessible entrances. These marked entrances are electronically wired and will open with an electronic door opener available for a student's use through the OSNS. The student must complete and sign an equipment loan form before obtaining this device. Campus parking lots have clearly marked handicapped spaces in all areas as well as van spaces. The number of handicapped parking spaces at LCCC exceeds the state requirement. Wheelchairs are available in the Campus Services office for on-site temporary use by any individual visiting our campus or for those taking classes. However, LCCC does not provide any attendant care. Classroom furniture accommodations may be made through the OSNS with adequate notification of the student's needs.

• Click here for a map of the campus and elevator locations.

Accommodation: Providing reasonable accommodation to both students and staff need not involve large financial sacrifices or basic program/course changes. In point of fact, it should not. Note that in the definition of a person with a handicap, quoted from the law, the person must "meet the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation " The student must have the academic skills and performance capabilities to compete with other students in their chosen curriculum. If this is not the case, the student will be counseled by the Coordinator and/or their counselor to seek alternate educational/training situations. Realism in expectations is critical to the self-esteem and success of a person with a disability. Examples of accommodations are as follows:

For More Information

To learn more about the resources of the Office for Special Needs Services, contact

Theo Scott Coordinator
Office for Special Needs Services
1005 Abbe Road North LRC 115
Elyria, Ohio 44035
Telephone (440) 366-4058
TDD #9; (440) 366-4135