Accessibility and Accommodations at PVCC
PVCC is committed to creating an equitable learning environment for all students. Students in search of additional academic aid should contact the Office of Student Accessibility and Accommodations as soon as possible. “The mission of the Office of Student Accessibility and Accommodations is to ensure equal access to programs, services, supports, and education,” according to the PVCC website.
The office meets with students, writing up and approving services and accommodations that are unique to their needs. To gain access to these services, students must first self-identify and provide adequate documentation of their physical, medical, mental health, or other disability. The documentation should explicitly outline how the student’s disability impacts their major life activities. This allows the office to create a customized plan that ensures that each student’s needs are met.
Once a plan is formulated, the student’s designated counselor will send an email that lists their accommodations as well as all of their professors. To maintain confidentiality, according to the PVCC website, “At no time will a professor receive information on your medical, mental health, learning, or other diagnoses; your assigned staff person will only share information on the accommodations and provide guidance on implementation.” Students with accommodation letters should, however, follow up with their professors to plan for how these changes will play out in class.
Accommodation letters are only valid for one semester. So, if you would like to continue with accommodations and accessibility services, you must contact the Office of Student Accessibility and Accommodations at the start of each semester. According to the PVCC website, “Your assigned staff member generates a unique accommodation letter for you for each semester and sends it only to the professors that you have for that semester.”
The Office of Student Accessibility and Accommodations consists of two counselors. The first of these counselors is Kari Hirst, director of student accessibility and accommodations, who assists students with last names R-Z, as well as students in the nursing program at PVCC. She can be reached directly at (434) 961-5281 or KHirst@pvcc.edu.
The second of the two counselors is Sandra Bullins, assistant director of student accessibility and accommodations, who services students with last names A-Q. Students can reach Sandra Bullins directly at (434) 961-5285 or at SBullins@pvcc.edu. Students can also set up appointments with the Office of Student Accessibility and Accommodations via MyPVCC/Navigate.
When asked what the best part of her job is, Sandra Bullins replied, “I feel the most rewarding part of my job is getting to know the students I work with, being a part of their academic journey, and knowing that I played just a small part in that. They often will share their successes and the not-quite successes with me, stopping by at random times, even if it is just to say ‘hi’ and get some candy! They, the students, are the most rewarding part of my job!”
