What is a disability?
According to the American's with Disabilities Act, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. These activities include the ability to write, learn, read, think, concentrate, memorize, hear, see, talk, or walk.
What are some disabilities accommodated at Normandale?
These disabilities include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities, hearing and vision losses, physical and psychological disabilities, attention deficit disorders and other health related disabilities.
How do students become registered with the OSD?
First, students must be admitted to Normandale Community College. Then students must make an appointment to see an OSD staff person for an intake interview and at that time present documentation of their disability. This documentation may include high school special education records or a report from a licensed psychologist, disability specialist, or medical doctor. Once a student has presented documentation of his/her disability, along with having a staff consultation, a variety of accommodations may be provided which are determined on a case-by-case basis.
When should students begin to make arrangements for receiving accommodations at Normandale?
Students should call the OSD office several weeks before starting at the college to begin the process of being registered with the OSD. Earlier application is essential in order to arrange for taped textbooks, interpreters, note takers, and other OSD services; late registration may limit immediate assistance. To receive sign language interpreting, students should contact the OSD to arrange interpreting before registering for classes.
What accommodations are offered through the OSD?
* Alternative testing that may include extended time, tape-recorded tests, or writing assistance
* Note taking
* Organization or time management assistance
* Assistance with course selection and registration
* Adjustable tables or custom chairs
* Support for coping with a disability in college
* Editing assistance for written assignments
* Assistance with faculty contacts
* Referral for taped textbooks
* Sign language/oral interpreting
* Provision of and/or orientation to assistive technology
* Additional accommodations for placement testing
* Other reasonable accommodations
What kinds of services or accommodations are not provided?
In accordance with the law, there are some modifications that the college does not provide as a reasonable accommodation. Examples include:
* personal devices such as wheelchairs or glasses
* personal services such as private tutoring or personal attendants (tutoring services is available elsewhere on campus)
* modifications that lower or change course standards or program standards
* modifications that would change the essence of a program, such as allowing a student in a public speaking class to substitute a written paper for an oral presentation
* services that are unduly burdensome, administratively or financially.
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Disability Law
There are several laws that address the college's responsibilities regarding individuals with disabilities. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, and the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
The college has two basic duties under the law regarding individuals with disabilities:
First, the college must not discriminate against individuals on the basis of disability. A qualified individual with a documented disability is someone who, with or without reasonable accommodation, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs, services, or activities provided by this college. The college may not treat qualified individuals with disabilities differently from individuals without disabilities or have a policy that disparately impacts individuals with disabilities.
Second, the college must provide access to its programs and services, and reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with documented disabilities to allow them to effectively participate in those programs and services.
The laws apply only if an individual establishes that he or she meets the legal definition of "disabled." Sometimes meeting this standard is difficult and requires information from appropriate professionals.
What is a reasonable accommodation?
The OSD works with students with disabilities and college officials to resolve questions of "reasonable accommodation" and other issues related to the college's compliance with disability laws.
An accommodation is a modification or support that gives a student with a disability an equal opportunity to participate and benefit from college. Accommodations are adjustments to how things are usually done. The purpose of effective accommodations is to increase a student's chances for success.
Reasonable accommodations can be provided in various ways. The following are brief descriptions and examples of the most common categories of accommodations that permit a qualified student with a disability to effectively participate in the educational process.
1. Changes to a classroom environment or task. Examples might include:
* extended time for an exam,
* the use of a dictionary or spell checker,
* materials in alternative formats such as large print, audio tape or computer disk.
2. Removal of architectural barriers; an example might include adapting a classroom to meet the needs of a student who uses a wheelchair.
3. Exceptions to policies, practices or procedures; an example might include priority registration.
4. Provision of auxiliary aids and services; examples might include:
* providing a sign language interpreter
* providing a note taker or scribe.
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