Office of Disability, Inclusion, & Diversity (ODID)

Vision Statement

The vision of the Office of Disability, Inclusion, & Diversity (ODID) is to promote awareness, build relationships, and foster academic and personal growth through encouragement, empowerment, and support of students and WCC employees.

Mission Statement

ODID’s mission is to promote awareness, build relationships, and provide support by:

  • Developing relationships and building a community across campus
  • Creating an environment that is accepting of all cultures and identities and encourages and promotes individuals to educate their peers
  • Working collaboratively with WCC departments and community agencies to provide resources

ODID offers Disability Services, provides a Resource Center for support, and sponsors Students Overcoming Boundaries in Education (SOBIE) Club.

Goals

  • Listen to the perspectives of students and employees regarding barriers, challenges, and needs for academic access.
  • Support students through guidance and accommodations. Support employees through professional development and collaboration.
  • Advocate for the needs of students and employees through awareness and access.

Disability Services

Focusing on Student Ability and Emphasizing Equal Access

Disability Services ensures equal access to Wilkes Community College classes, programs, facilities, services, and activities to qualified students with documented disabilities. The focus of Disability Services is to magnify student ability and enhance disability awareness and understanding among students, faculty, and staff of the college. We further strive to facilitate a transition of students with disabilities from high school to college to the workplace.

Disability Services is provided through the Office of Disability, Inclusion, & Diversity (ODID). Offices are temporarily located in Student Services, first floor of Window World Hall. (building 1 on the campus map).

Some accommodations take longer than others. Please make accommodation requests at least 3 weeks in advance.

To receive accommodations:

  1. Complete the WCC Accommodation Form OR complete the Online Accommodation Request Form.
  2. Make an appointment to meet with the Director of Disability, Inclusion, & Diversity for accommodations for placement tests, orientations, course work, and exams. Call 336-838-6560 or email rmmacemore052@wilkescc.edu.
  3. Bring to the meeting any documents that verify disability. An IEP, 504, and/or RTI documentation may not always include adequate information; additional information or further documentation may be required. If these documents are not readily available, we can provide further guidance during the appointment.

Temporary accommodations include any condition or illness short in nature. Examples may include a broken limb, concussion, or pregnancy.

To receive temporary accommodations:

  1. Complete the Temporary Accommodation Form OR complete the Online Temporary Accommodation Request Form.
  2. Make an appointment to meet with the Director of Disability, Inclusion, & Diversity. Call 336-838-6560 or email rmmacemore052@wilkescc.edu.
  3. Bring to the meeting any documents that verify the temporary disability. If these documents are not readily available or clarification on types of documentation is needed, guidance will be provided during the appointment.

  • Extra time on exams
  • Distraction reduced environment for exams
  • Books in alternative formatting
  • Information and training on technologies available
  • Temporary parking in WCC employee-designated areas
  • Assistive technology
  • Voice recorders
  • Livescribe Smartpens
  • Magnification Equipment
  • Software availability
    • Read aloud software
    • Speech to text software
    • Magnification software

Service Animals: Students with a service animal do not need to register their animal but are encouraged to notify the Director of ODID. Service animals are permitted in any area of campus where students are permitted with a few exceptions for health and safety.

Emotional Support Animals (ESA): ESAs must be registered with ODID. Appropriate documentation and completion of request form must be completed and approved before the animal is allowed on campus.

ODID Resource Center

Building Community Through Inclusivity

The ODID Resource Center is a place for students to gather and receive resources. The ODID Resource Center engages and supports all students and WCC employees in diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus. Support is offered to all students, specifically sharing resources with the following:

  • Veterans
  • LGBTQIA
  • English Learners
  • Multicultural students
  • Different Abilities

Offerings include:

  • Workshops
  • Communication between departments, instructors, students, and other colleges
  • Events
  • Connection to counseling options

Students Overcoming Boundaries in Education (SOBiE)

The mission of the SOBiE Club is to promote awareness and build an environment of acceptance and inclusion. The club strives to connect all students with resources and support by hosting awareness events, participating in WCC events and activities, and fostering an atmosphere of inclusion, friendship, and celebration of diversity. SOBiE club is open to all students at WCC. Events include MerleFest, Fall Festival, Spring Fling, Accessibility Race, and others.

SOBiE Constitution and By-Laws

Campus Resources

Community Resources

Contact Us

Image of Renee Macemore
Renee Macemore, MS
Director of Disability, Inclusion, & Diversity
Phone: 336-838-6560
Fax: 336-903-3209
rmmacemore052@wilkescc.edu
Image of April Teague
April Teague, AA
Assistant of Office of Disability, Inclusion, and Diversity
Phone: 336-838-6434
Fax: 336-903-3154
arteague507@wilkescc.edu