Learning Assistance Program (LAP)
Allan Hancock College Board Policy 5140
Allan Hancock College is committed to equal access and welcomes students with disabilities. The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) provides individualized support services for students with learning, physical, mental health, and all other disabilities. These services are designed to assist students with permanent or temporary disabilities in achieving their individual educational goals. The college supports the inclusion of students with disabilities in all educational opportunities regardless of location or mode of instruction.
Learning Assistance Program Eligibility and Application Process
Any student enrolled in the college who has a disability which imposes an educational limitation is encouraged to apply for LAP services. Students should provide verification of a diagnosis from the appropriate professional. Students who believe they may have an undiagnosed learning disability may meet with a learning disabilities specialist to determine if it is appropriate to conduct a comprehensive learning disabilities assessment. Students who do not have a diagnosis, but believe that they may have an undiagnosed condition can meet with an LAP professional to learn about resources on campus and in the community to complete verification of disability.
The application for services is available at the LAP offices on the Santa Maria and Lompoc campuses or at the college website. After completing the application, the LAP office will contact you to schedule an appointment with a program specialist to discuss challenges, goals, and possible accommodations.
College Expectations
The college expects students with disabilities to have a sufficiently stable level of health to participate in, and benefit from, the full academic term in which they are enrolled.
Students are also expected to have the ability to manage their personal needs or provide a personal service attendant. The college does not provide personal attendants. Students with disabilities using service animals on campus are expected to comply with board policy regarding animals on campus. (Allan Hancock College Board Policy 3440)
All students, regardless of disability, are required to comply with the district’s Student Code of Conduct (Allan Hancock College Board Policy 5500).
Accommodations and Academic Adjustments
The fundamental principles of nondiscrimination and accommodation in academic programs are set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). Accommodations and academic adjustments are those services that allow an individual with a disability to have equal access to college courses, facilities and services. The goal of LAP is to ensure equal access while supporting student independence, integration, and self-advocacy.
Based on the nature and severity of the student’s disability, accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- Extended time for written tests
- Reduced distraction testing environment
- Peer note taker services
- Textbooks and course materials in alternative formats (e.g. PDF, electronic text)
- Braille or electronic-formatted lecture notes, handouts, and texts
- Use of digital voice recorder for lectures
- Priority registration
- Peer tutoring
- Specialized counseling
- Adaptive technology (e.g. screen readers, voice recognition)
- Access to computers equipped with special input devices
- Sign language interpreters or real-time captioning
- Instruction in the use of adaptive technology and effective learning strategies.
Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and authorized by the appropriate program specialist.
Course Substitution or Waiver
Allan Hancock College requires all students to master the competencies required for the courses, programs or degrees they pursue. Most challenges which potentially preclude a student with disability from completing a course can be overcome by a combination of appropriate accommodations and other college services. However, the college recognizes that, for some students, such accommodations will not be sufficient to enable them to complete a specific course of study in the same manner expected of non-disabled students. The district also recognizes the need to accommodate students without compromising a disabled student’s course of study or degree, and without compromising the integrity of the college’s programs.
For these students, a course substitution or waiver will be considered. If a student with a verified disability has attempted to complete the course and has demonstrated that, despite the use of accommodations and support services, they are unable to successfully complete the course as a result of their disability, or if the student can show that his/her/their disability is of such magnitude that any attempt at completing the course would be futile, the student may request a course substitution or waiver. LAP students should schedule an appointment with their program specialist for assistance with this process.
Allan Hancock College cannot grant a substitution that is inconsistent with Title 5 regulations or BP/AP 5140, nor can it ensure that a substitution granted by the college will be accepted by another institution.
Student Grievance Rights
Students with disabilities have a right to file a formal complaint if they believe they have experienced discrimination on the basis of disability. Such complaints are addressed through the existing college procedures as detailed in the college catalog under Discrimination Complaints.
To contact LAP, visit or call the program office
Santa Maria: bldg. A, Room A304, 805-922-6966 ext. 3274;
Lompoc Valley Center: bldg. 1, Room 102N, 805-735-3366 ext. 5274;
Video Phone: 805-266-7874 or 866-327-6218.
Students may also visit the LAP website for detailed information on program resources, procedures, and learning outcomes as well as access to program forms. www.hancockcollege.edu/lap.