DISABILITIESAND

ACCOMODATIONS

Disabilities & Accommodations

Section 504 & ADA

Civil Rights Statutes do not: Mandate affirmative action

Create special programs Promise accommodations

Disabilities & Accommodations

Eligibility Determination Documentation from appropriate

professional Counselor’s professional judgment Functional limitation rather than

diagnosis Case-by-case decision making

Disabilities & Accommodations

“It is not possible to include a list of all the specific conditions, contagious and noncontagious diseases or infections that would constitute physical or mental impairments because of the difficulty of ensuring the comprehensiveness of such a list, particularly in light of the fact that other conditions or disorders may be identified in the future.” (ADA regulations)

Disabilities & Accommodations Examples of disabilities

Blindness/visual impairments Deafness/hearing impairments Learning disabilities Orthopedic conditions Epilepsy Cerebral Palsy Mental Retardation Emotional Illnesses Temporary Impairments Femoral Hypoplasia with Unusual

Facies Syndrome

Disabilities & Accommodations

Accommodations Modification to policy or procedure Change in physical environment Provision of auxiliary aid or service

Disabilities & Accommodations

Law mandates: Primary consideration Student involvement

Disabilities & Accommodations

Reasonable accommodation: Does not change essential requirement of

the course. Does not substantially alter the way

services are provided. Does not cause undue financial or

administrative burden. Does not pose direct threat to health and

safety of others.

Disabilities & Accommodations

Choosing an accommodation

Flexibility in selection Equally effective Rational relationship

Disabilities & Accommodations

Low tech……reversed polarity on computer monitor

Cheap……….preferential seating High tech……Jaws software Expensive…...ASL services; building

renovations

Disabilities & Accommodations

Examples of accommodations: ASL interpreters; CART Readers; scribes; notetakers Audiobooks; e-text; Braille Extended time on tests; testing in a quiet area CCTV

Jaws; Dragon Naturally Speaking; WYNN Assistive Listening Device

Adjustable tables and chairs Copies of instructor notes and overheads

Exception to the attendance policy

Disabilities & Accommodations

Examples of disability and possible accommodation: Strike keys by mistake due to tremors ---- keyguard for

computer Inability to use hands for input ---- alternate input

devices, such as voice recognition program, scanner, headpointer

Limited or poor speech ---- spell check, word prediction

Impaired reading ability ---- reader, extended time, books in alternate format, software

Impaired ability in written expression ---- computers, voice recognition software, scribe, oral responses

Disabilities & Accommodations

Disabilities & Accommodations

Disabilities & Accommodations

Disabilities & Accommodations

Disabilities & Accommodations

Resources for accommodations: Disability Services Resource Guide (NCCC System

Office) Job Accommodation Network College & university disability services websites

(University of Montana, University of Washington) Disability websites (LD, autism, deaf) NCDDS and DSSHE listserves NC-Vital Federal & state agencies (OCR, VR, DSB) AHEAD

Disabilities & Accommodations

It is not the diagnosis that is important but rather how the unique circumstances and functional limitations affect equal access.

Disabilities & Accommodations

Presented by

CAROLINE SMITH

Wayne Community College