Disability Support Services

Three important pieces of legislation related to the provision of academic accommodations, adjustments and services for students with disabilities at the university setting are: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAA) Amendments Act of 2008.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 states:

No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States…shall, solely on the basis of a disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance.

The ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 clarified the definition of “disability” for purposes of the ADA. A person is considered to have a disability if the person:

• Has a physical or mental impairment, which substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include, but are not limited to self-care, manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.
• Has a record of a substantially limiting condition.
• Is regarded as substantially limited.

Taken together, Section 504 and the ADA (and ADAAA) require institutions of higher education to provide equal access to educational opportunities to otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. At the postsecondary educational level, a qualified student with a disability is a student with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards required for participation in the class, program, or activity. The standards for a student with a disability are the same as those for all students entering the program. However, a student with a disability may request and receive reasonable accommodations to demonstrate that they meet those standards.

Disability Support Services requires documentation of a disability to support the need for specific accommodations and to assist in the determination of individual needs. Students are expected to provide current documentation of their disability.

When submitting documentation, the following elements are requested universally:

1. A dated, typewritten narrative in English and on letterhead with the signature of the licensed treating qualified care provider. Documentation typically takes the form of a letter and must reflect the current impact of the student’s impairment.
2. Documentation may include an IEP, MDT, 504 Plan.
3. Identify current impairment(s) and history of diagnosis.
4. Describe how the impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities (walking, learning, seeing, concentrating, etc.) and current treatment plan (if relevant to accommodation planning).
5. Recommendations or strategies that will mitigate the impact of described limitations.

Any cost incurred in obtaining additional documentation when the original records are inadequate is the responsibility of the student.

Professional Judgment Statement

When complete documentation is not available, DSS counselors may utilize student self-report and exercise professional judgment to determine a student’s eligibility for services and assign provisional accommodations.

On higher education campuses, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with Disability Support Services and engage in an interactive process to determine eligibility for services. Student requests for accommodation(s) are considered on an individual, case-by-case basis and may be reviewed on a class-by-class basis.

Accommodations are not retroactive, so it is important to set up services as early as possible to secure all necessary accommodations.

Requests for accommodation and/or academic adjustments that result in a fundamental alteration of the course or academic program are not reasonable and will not be provided.

Reasonable accommodations depend upon the nature and degree of severity of the documented disability. While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that priority consideration be given to the specific methods requested by the student, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is deemed not reasonable and other suitable techniques are available.
 

Intake and Academic Accommodation Process - Credit Students

Step 1: Initiate contact with Disability Support Services by doing one of the following
 

• Submit a Disability Support Services Intake Appointment Request Form
• Call a Disability Support Services Counselor to gather more general information
• Visit Student Services at your location and ask to speak with a Disability Support Services counselor

Step 2: Submit supporting documentation of disability

• Documentation should be comprehensive, written within a reasonable timeframe relative to the disability, and signed by your non-familial, treating, qualifying professional. Incomplete information may slow or delay the accommodation approval process.
• DSS Counselor reviews documentation provided for history of accommodation use

Step 3: Participate in an interactive interview with the DSS counselor to determine reasonable accommodations

Step 4: DSS counselor will email a Notification of Academic Accommodation letter for each quarter you are registered
 

• Credit students: letters will be emailed to all your faculty, and you will receive a copy
• Non-credit students: Student will receive copy of accommodation letter to provide to non-credit faculty and staff

Step 5: Student and Faculty discuss Academic Accommodations during first week of class

The identification and disclosure of any disability is considered confidential. The information is released to other MCC employees, on a need to know basis, with a "Consent Form/Release of Information" signed by the student. There are limits to the confidentiality of student records as outlined in the College's "Procedures under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act" document. (Procedures Memorandum Index V-1)
 

Disability Services Grievance Procedure

This procedure allows for equitable resolution within a reasonable time of complaints by students with disabilities who allege violation of their rights under the ADAAA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

In the event that you believe you have been discriminated against, want to appeal the approved accommodations, or have other concerns related to disability services, contact the Dean of Student Advocacy and Accountability, 531-622-2808, for prompt and equitable complaint Resolution.

DSS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure that students have access to their education -- and to working with instructors to make sure this process is as transparent, responsive, and supportive as possible.

GENERAL INFORMATION

WHAT IS A DISABILITY?

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes persons who have a record of such impairment and those who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability. The degree of impairment must substantially limit a major life activity (e.g., walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, and communicating.) Some examples include specific learning disabilities, visual impairments, and psychological conditions.
 
 

WHAT IS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION?

A reasonable accommodation is support that lowers or removes a barrier caused by a disability or disabling health condition. An accommodation is a means to provide equal access to an individual who is experiencing a substantial limitation in one or more major life activities. For example, a student who experiences processing delays in reading and writing may need more time on time-constrained assignments, like an in-class exam.

Accommodations are a means to provide access, but do not guarantee success. It’s up to the
student to use their skills and strategies to be successful.
 
 

FAQS FOR STUDENTS

 

IS MY DISABILITY INFORMATION SHARED WITH MY PROFESSORS?

Information related to a student’s disability is not shared with instructors. A Notice of Academic Accommodations is emailed to your faculty each quarter. You will also be emailed a copy. This notice focuses on accommodations and does not share disability-specific information. It is up to students to decide what information beyond accommodations they do or do not feel comfortable sharing. A student should never be required to share disability-specific information with their instructors.
 
 

DO I NEED TO APPLY FOR ACCOMMODATIONS EACH QUARTER? 

Students do not need to apply for accommodations each quarter.
 
 

WHAT IF I NEED ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS?

Students can request changes to their accommodations at any time. To request additional accommodations, students can reach out to their DSS counselor to discuss whether or not an accommodation can be added and if additional documentation is needed.
 
 

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR DOCUMENTATION TO VERIFY MY DISABILITY?

The student is responsible. Please review the Documentation Guidelines. If you have questions about where to obtain the necessary documentation, please contact a DSS counselor.
 
 

IF I HAVE RECEIVED ACCOMMODATIONS AT A DIFFERENT COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, WILL I AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE THE SAME ACCOMMODATIONS AT MCC?

A student may not receive the same accommodations they had at a previous institution. Documentation is reviewed and decisions are made independently from other institutions because colleges and universities have different processes and accommodations they provide. It can be helpful for students to provide documentation of previous accommodations used with their application to DSS. This allows DSS to determine accommodations that may be similar if they are eligible based on MCC's policies.
 
 

WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS ARE REQUIRED IF A STUDENT DISCLOSES A DISABILITY AFTER THE FACT (E.G., AFTER FAILING AN EXAM OR ASSIGNMENT?)

To use academic accommodations, students registered with DSS are responsible for having a conversation with their instructors regarding their use of accommodations for each class. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively.
 
 

IF I REGISTER WITH DSS, WILL IT SHOW UP ON MY ACADEMIC RECORD?

Registering with DSS does not appear on your academic record because disability-specific information is confidential.
 
 

CAN MY PARENTS BE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS?

Family members or members of the student's support system can absolutely be a part of the accommodations process if a student would like. Before someone else can be a part of the accommodations process with students, students will need to complete a consent form that grants permission. Students can contact their DSS counselor directly to request a consent form.
 
 

SHOULD I SELF-IDENTIFY THAT I HAVE A DISABILITY DURING THE ADMISSION PROCESS?

Disclosing a disability during the admission process is voluntary. MCC will not discriminate against you due to your status as an individual with a disability.
 
 

SHOULD I TELL MY ACADEMIC ADVISOR ABOUT MY DISABILITY?

Students can choose whether they would like to disclose their disability to their Academic Advisor/Success Navigator, as well as other offices on campus. It is not required for students to share disability-specific information.
 
 

ARE STUDENTS REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THEIR DISABILITY OR PROVIDE COPIES OF DISABILITY DOCUMENTATIONS TO FACULTY AND STAFF?

No. Students are not required nor should they be asked to disclose the nature of their disability. Additionally, students should not be asked to provide faculty and staff with copies of their disability documentation.
 
 

WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH AN ACCOMMODATION DECISION THAT HAS BEEN MADE BY A DSS COUNSELOR?

If you disagree with an accommodation decision made by DSS, please contact the Dean of Student Advocacy and Accountability (Julie Langholdt, jlangholdt@mccneb.edu, 531-622-2202) to discuss your concern.
 
 

I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH AN EXAM ACCOMMODATION BEING PROCTORED BY AN INSTRUCTOR. WHAT DO I DO?

If a student is having issues receiving accommodations from their instructor, they should contact their DSS counselor. The DSS Counselor can work with students and instructors to ensure that accommodations are being provided.
 
 

THE STRUCTURE OF MY CLASS INCLUDES BOTH QUIZZES AND EXAMS. FOR WHAT TESTS WILL I NEED TO RECEIVE THE EXAM ACCOMMODATIONS?

Instructors should provide exam accommodations for all quizzes and exams.
 
 

I NEED A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER OR SPEECH-TO-TEXT SERVICE FOR MY COURSES. WHAT DO I DO?

Once the student has registered with DSS, they will work with you for speech-to-text or interpreting services for your courses.

The mission of Interpreter Services is to provide high quality, consistent Sign Language interpreting services to all students, staff and faculty, as well as to members of the community who access Metropolitan Community College's programs and services. Sign Language interpreters are trained professionals who may or may not know the deaf* person. All of the interpreters working at the College are licensed by the state of Nebraska through the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Services do not include foreign language interpreting.
 

Throughout the information presented, the term “deaf” is used to refer to both deaf and hard of hearing individuals who use Sign Language interpreters.
 

MCC is committed to assisting students in their goals of academic achievement. Disability Support Services, Interpreter Services, students, faculty and Sign Language interpreters all work together as an educational team for the purpose of creating access to a successful learning environment.

Sign Language interpreters are professional service providers who facilitate communication between people who are deaf and individuals who can hear—conveying the content and spirit of the speaker's or signer’s message. Interpreters serve both hearing and deaf individuals.

• Interpreters are trained in American Sign Language, deaf culture and interpreting from one language to another.
• Interpreters use Sign Language to express what is spoken and verbalize what the deaf person signs while conveying the intent and feeling of the speaker or signer.
• Interpreters abide by the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC), which was jointly developed by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

For more information about the interpreter’s role and the field of Sign Language interpreting, see the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf website.

Sign Language Interpreter Services are provided for classes, meetings, tutoring sessions, field trips, etc. for deaf students, deaf faculty and staff as well as for deaf members of the community accessing MCC’s programs and services.

The Coordinator of Interpreter Services can be reached at:
Judy Gouldsmith, M.A., CI and CT
Coordinator of Interpreter Services
jgouldsmith@mccneb.edu
Office: 531-622-2854