Michigan Association on Higher Education and Disability presents…
Accessing Disability Support Services at the Post Secondary Level
Federal Mandates Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Re-authorized 2005 Entitlement Act Vocational Rehabilitation Act, 1973 Section 504 Civil Rights Act Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 1990 Civil Rights Act
Entitlement vs. Civil Rights The institution is The key to Civil Rights is responsibile to find, equal access (leveling assess and remediate the playing field) disabling conditions The responsibility is The implications of an shifted to the individual entitlement act result Services are aimed at in a broader range of equal opportunity and services and access to programs equipment 504 and ADA IDEA
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act The law that provides for students with disabilities in the K-12 system emphasizing special education and related services…to prepare for further education, employment, and independent living. Retains the major provisions of earlier federal laws in this area, including: FAPE, LRE, due process, procedural safeguards. Ends when students exit secondary education. Entitlement Act
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. 504 plan from High School does not carry over to higher education. Civil Rights
“Otherwise Qualified” and “Qualified” Student must be able to meet technical and academic standards of program regardless of disability. (504) Means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the employment position that such individual holds or desires. (ADA) Institutional “student code of conduct” applies regardless of disability. Disability status does not excuse violation of unacceptable behavior in regard to SCC.
The Americans with Disabilities Act The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Its purpose is to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability... to extend to people with disabilities civil rights similar to those now available to people without regard to race, color, sex, national origin or religion.” Civil Rights
Individual with a Disability Is regarded as having such an impairment; Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity; Has a history or record of such impairment;
Understanding the transition ( K-12 vs. College) School must assess Student must disclose Once diagnosed the students Student must provide must receive services acceptable current (entitlement) documentation before becoming eligible for services Parents can receive information about their Parents cannot receive children information about their children (FERPA) Parents can initiate communication with teachers Students must initiate communication with instructors Students receive assistance with technology Students must know how to use technology
Reasonable Effective: producing the intended or expected effect reasonable vs. preferential
Reasonable Accommodation Any modification or adjustment that will assure equal opportunity to rights and privileges of all programs and services offered by a post secondary institution.
Reasonable Accommodations Examples Academic adjustments such as extended time to complete tests, or graduation Recording of classes Alternative textbooks, such as e-text Note taking assistance Alternative testing and evaluation
Academic Adjustments NOT Required If it would fundamentally alter the nature of the program When the academic requirements are essential to a program of study or to meet licensing requirements If it would be an undue burden significant difficulty or expense
Auxiliary Aids and Services Examples Qualified interpreters note takers real time transcription services written materials assistive listening systems closed captioned decoders open and closed captioning TTY
NON Examples Attendants individually prescribed devices (glasses, canes, wheelchairs, hearing aids, computers, etc.) readers for personal use or study other devices of a personal nature
Student Obligations Self identify that he or she has a disability Indicate the need for accommodation Provide appropriate documentation at the student’s expense to establish the existence of the disability and the need for accommodation
Institutional Obligations Provide reasonable accommodations for the student’s known disabilities Afford him/her an equal opportunity to participate in the institution’s programs, activities, and services (including extracurricular activities) May not discriminate based on disability Provide auxiliary aids and services
Issues to Consider When Choosing a College Are there people on campus who have experience with your type of disability? Disability services office Financial aid Academic advising Health center Academic support services Is there a separate admissions process?
Choosing a college, cont. Are there separate programs and are there additional charges? How sensitive are faculty? Are there specialized tutoring programs and what are the costs?
Specific considerations based on disability…
Issues Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorders Can a student take a Classroom reduced course load accommodations such and still be considered as extended time, note full time? takers, quiet room, etext. Can a student obtain a substitution or a waiver for a course? Assistive technology Does the school have guidelines or criteria for documentation of LD/ADD?
Issues Mobility Disabilities Housing Wheelchair repair referrals Transportation Building Mobility on accessibility campus Health Center Personal assistance
Issues Blindness and Visual Impairments Classroom Availability and accommodations type of computer such as programs overheads, board Funding sources work, labs, test format, videos Housing Alternate format Transportation for textbooks Campus mobility Assistive technologies
Issues Deaf and Hard of Hearing Note taking Real time assistance captioning Adapted housing Assistive listening devices Interpreters TDD availability Captioned videos
Issues Psychiatric Disabilities Availability of Absences local treatment Classroom Funding accommodations sources e.g., extended time, note takers, Disclosure separate testing issues location Support groups
Goal: Equal Access Benefits, aids and services, to be equally effective, are not required to produce the identical result or level of achievement. Accommodations must afford equal opportunity to obtain the same result or to reach the same level of achievement.
Eight Ways College is Different than High School
One… Academic Environment More competitive – In four-year schools especially, the majority of students have taken college preparatory classes in high school. More work – more reading, writing, and larger assignments. Less extra credit. Quicker and Less flexible deadlines.
Two… Grading May be based on tests only. You may receive a grade in the course with fewer tests and papers (but longer). There may be several chapters of material on each test. Requires self-monitoring. Often must calculate yourself as the semester progresses.
Three… Knowledge Acquisition There is more reliance on note taking and reading comprehension. Text and materials may be assigned but not taught in class. Test items often includes material not taught or reviewed in class. There is an expectation that students can “self teach”.
Four… Support The overall amount is significantly less. The relationship with instructors is more impersonal and distant. The student is responsible for contact and requesting the accommodations needed throughout the semester.
Five… Responsibility The responsibility is on the student. No other person monitors homework completion. No one to “check in” and see how you’re doing.
Six… Stress Significantly more stress due to the previous academic factors. Time management issues, such as work, homework, residential living, family obligations. Prioritizing commitments.
Seven… Distractions College social life—more opportunities to socialize, more adult activities, more appealing activities than the classroom. Residence halls--more to do, more people, more noise, potentially less rest.
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