an mctc community approach accommodating students with disabilities
TRANSCRIPT
A N M C TC C O M M U N I T Y A P P R OAC H
ACCOMMODATING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
OVERVIEW
• Disability Law: Federal and State• Legal Responsibilities of MCTC• Role of Disability Services• Reasonable Accommodations• Responsibilities of Disability Services and
Students• Responsibilities of Faculty and Staff• The MCTC Community: Beyond Curb-Cuts
FEDERAL DISABILITY LAW
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States…shall, solely by reason of his/her disability be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance…
FEDERAL DISABILITY LAW
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990 is anti-discrimination legislation designed to ensure equal access and opportunity for people with disabilities.
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments (ADAA) 2008 provides additional clarification for implementing the ADA.
STATE DISABILITY LAW
Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) mirrors the anti-discrimination requirements set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA.
Charges of “illegal discrimination” are investigated by a neutral agency, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
LEGALLY, WHO IS A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY?
• Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity
• Has a record or history of such an impairment
• Is regarded as having such an impairment
MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES
Major life activities include, but are not limited to, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for self, and performing manual tasks.
WHAT ARE THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF MCTC?
THE MCTC’S OBLIGATIONS
The College must follow federal and state law and provide reasonable accommodations to a student’s known disability in order to allow that student an equal opportunity to participate in the institution’s programs, activities and services (including extracurricular activities).
The College may not discriminate against an individual solely on the basis of disability.
HOW DOES MCTC MEET THESE OBLIGATIONS?
ROLE OF DISABILITY SERVICES
MCTC meets its legal obligations through Disability Services (DS). DS has been granted the authority to determine whether a student has a documented disability and what reasonable accommodations should be implemented.
WHAT ARE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS?
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Disability Services determines reasonable accommodations through an interactive process that involves a discussion with students about barriers, a review of disability documentation, the determination of accommodations and the removal of identified barriers.
The purpose of reasonable accommodations is to eliminate or minimize disability-related barriers by providing modifications to courses, programs or policies without compromising standards or fundamentally altering essential elements.
COMMON ACCOMMODATIONS
• Exam accommodations (e.g., extended time, a private room for the exam)
• Modification of course instruction (e.g., providing verbal descriptions for students with visual impairments)
• Digital recording of course lectures• Modification of exam format (e.g., providing an
exam in an alternate format)• Substitution of nonessential courses for degree
requirements
REQUIRED AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES
• Sign language interpreters, note-takers, computer-aided transcription services, assistive listening systems, closed caption decoders, open and closed captioning
• Readers and accessible alternate formats for course materials (e.g., textbooks, handouts and exams)
The use of auxiliary aids and services is based on the student’s disability documentation and the requirements of the course or setting.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS REQUIRE BALANCE
The rights of students with disabilities to equal access
MCTC’s right to maintain essential academic and technical standards
RESPONSIBILITIES
Disability Services• Work with students who have
documented disabilities• Hold disability documentation
and information in a confidential manner
• Determine reasonable accommodations
• Write accommodation letters for students
• Partner with faculty on the delivery of accommodations
Students• Contact DS and request
accommodations in a timely manner
• Provide documentation in support of accommodations
• Deliver the accommodation letter to faculty
• Inform DS if accommodations are not working or are not being provided as requested
• Follow procedures set forth by the College and by DS
RESPONSIBILITIES:FACULTY AND STAFF
• Refer students to DS when they request disability accommodations
• Refer students to DS when they present disability-related documentation
• Provide accommodations requested through DS• Determine essential elements of a course or
program• Consult with DS staff when accommodations may
compromise the essential elements of a course or program
HOW CAN THE MCTC COMMUNITY SUPPORT ACCESS FOR STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES?
Beyond Curb-Cuts
SYLLABUS STATEMENT
Sample statement
MCTC is committed to providing all students equal access to learning opportunities. Disability Services (DS) works with students who have disabilities to provide or arrange reasonable accommodations.• Students who have a disability are invited to
contact DS in T.2400 (612-659-6730) to schedule a confidential intake appointment.
• Students registered with DS are encouraged to contact faculty early in the semester to discuss their accommodation letters.
PRINT MATERIALS
Language for brochures and handouts:
Print materials can be made available in alternate format on request by contacting Disability Services at 612-659-6730 (voice) or by calling that number through the Minnesota Relay Services at 711 or 1-800-627-3529.
EVENTS
Language on promotional materials:
To request disability-related accommodations, please contact [hosting office and contact information] at least two weeks prior to the event.
Physical curb-cut Electronic curb-cut Academic curb-cut