WilsonCollege Policy and Procedures for Students with Disabilities
I. The Law: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 states:
“No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall, solely by reason of his (sic) handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance [PL 93-112, material in public domain].”
Section 504 defines a handicapped person as “any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.”
A “qualified handicapped person” is defined in this legislation as “one who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in an education program or activity.”
II. Definition of a Disability: Herein, a “person with a disability” is defined as a person who has or is regarded as having any mental, psychological, or physical condition that substantially impairs or restricts one or more major life activities such as performing normal tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.
III. Statement of Policy: WilsonCollege seeks to accommodate students with disabilities who have satisfied the admission requirements of the school and thus have been deemed qualified to undertake the various programs of study.
This policy is designed to give all learners who can benefit an opportunity to enroll and succeed academically with the provision of “reasonableAccommodations” as delineated in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In the spirit of this legislation, “reasonable accommodations” may be delimited by both the constraints of funding and the availability of human resources.
Furthermore, this document is not intended to serve as an immutable apparatus, but rather as an amendable guide to serve as a ready reference in matters of policy relating to Section 504 issues.
IV. Definition of Reasonable Accommodations: The term "reasonableaccommodations" as used in Section 504 of the ADA of 1990 and RehabilitationAct of 1973 refers to modifications made to the learning environment whicheliminate, to the extent possible, any physical and/or instructional barriers tolearning which students with disabilities might encounter due to their disability.The law does not require that students with disabilities be given "special"advantages nor does it compel an institution of higher learning to provide "nonessential"accommodations that would place an excessive financial burden on theinstitution.
WilsonCollege is committed to providing reasonable services andaccommodations for students who have been appropriately identified as havingdisabilities.
V. Identification and Documentation: Students who disclose a disability mustprovide current and appropriate documentation to substantiate the disablingcondition. The following documentation will be needed to support the existenceof a
Physical Disability: Documentation from a physician specifyingthe type and extent of the physical disability and services required toaccommodate the disability.
Psychological or Mental Health Disability: Documentation from apsychiatrist or a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker ormental health counselor specifying the type and extent of the mentalillness or disorder and the services required to accommodate the disability.
Learning Disability: The student's grade twelve IEP, Department ofVocational Rehabilitation documentation, or private testing, andevaluations by a certified special educator or educational psychologistindicating the presence of a learning disability and information withrespect to the types of services required to accommodate the disability.
VI. Self-Identification: Definition: “Self-identification” is defined herein as thedisclosure of a disability or disabling condition by the student with the disability.It is the responsibility of the student with the disability or disabilities to identifyhim/herself and to request reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aidsdeemed necessary to provide the student with equal educational opportunities.
VII. Disclosure Procedure: The person with a disability can initiate self-disclosingthis information to a faculty advisor, admissions officer, the Director of theLearningResourceCenter, the Accommodations Coordinator, or any similarly qualifiedcollege administrator or member of the faculty. In all cases, the student who hasself-identified should be referred to the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Director.
Appropriate documentation to substantiate a disability or disabilities must beprovided to the Accommodations Coordinator within a reasonable period of time (not toexceed two weeks) from the date of disclosure.
VIII. Provision of "Reasonable" Modifications or Auxiliary Aids:
Modification/auxiliary aid requests that are granted will be provided as soon aspossible after the submission of the request and upon receipt of appropriatesupport documents (as described in Section V of this document).
IX. Areas of Responsibility of Reasonable Accommodations or Auxiliary Aids:
LearningResourceCenter: It is not the sole responsibility of the LearningResourceCenter to provide academic adjustments; rather, it is one of thefunctions of this office to assist and enable all areas of the college to meetmandated responsibilities with respect to Section 504. This office will developrecommendations in consultation with appropriate faculty and administrators.
X. The Right to Succeed: WilsonCollege believes that all students with disabilitiesadmitted to the college should have the same opportunity to succeed academicallyas students without disabilities. To that end, the following practices aresuggested:
1. Faculty are encouraged to inform students about the services andsupport provided to all students through the LearningResourceCenter located on the first floor of Thomson Hall. Students withdisabilities are encouraged to contact the Accommodations Coordinator at extension 3351 or the LRC Director at extension 3349.
2. The following statement will be sent to each student with hisor her acceptance letter: “Any student who has a disability, cansubstantiate it, and is in need of a reasonable modification orauxiliary aid should contact the Accommodations Coordinator at(717) 264-4141 x3351 or the LRC Director at (717) 264-4141 x3349.”
XI. Student Rights and Responsibilities:
1. A college student with one or more disabilities has the right toreasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids in the classroom.This right is provided under Section 504 of the VocationalRehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990. It is the student’s responsibility to identify him/herself to the appropriate faculty or administrator. It is also thestudent's responsibility to provide appropriate required documentation and to request the desired reasonable accommodation or auxiliary aidsin writing in sufficient time for the review of documentation, coordination of special arrangements, and the completion of appropriate paperwork.
2. Students with disabilities must satisfy the course, skill, knowledge orother prerequisites for each course in which they plan to enroll.Students with disabilities must also demonstrate the acquisition ofskills and knowledge required for successful completion of eachcourse in which they are subsequently enrolled.
3. Students who have received reasonable modifications are obligated touse these aids or accommodations in a responsible manner. A studentwho is entitled to extended time on a test may have the testadministered in parts. Accommodations to testing procedures must bedetermined in advance. Except in extraordinary circumstances,procedures may not be altered during the test.
4. In order to provide the optimal learning opportunity for the student,students who are receiving reasonable accommodations or auxiliaryaids have the responsibility to self-identify and requestaccommodations at the beginning of the course.
5. A student who disagrees with the determination of a request foraccommodations or auxiliary aid has the right to dispute thisdetermination pursuant to the Appeal/Grievance Procedure outlined inthis policy.
XII. Faculty Members' Rights and Responsibilities:
1. A faculty member is not required to provide reasonableaccommodations or auxiliary aids unless informed in writing by theAccommodations Coordinator or LRC Director of the eligibility of the student for suchaccommodations or aids. The type and extent of the accommodationswill be outlined in a letter thatprovides the faculty member withsuggested strategies for compliance, as well as the support andassistance provided by the LearningResourceCenter.
2. A faculty member who disputes a reasonable accommodation orauxiliary aid recommended by the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Director mustcontinue to provide the service until the dispute is resolved.
3. The faculty member will be notified by the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Directorif a student expresses concern about the manner in which a prescribedaccommodation is being administered.
4. If the recommendation of the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Director is notsatisfactory to the faculty member, he/she can appeal to theSection 504 Grievance Committee for consideration.
5. Written instructions from the professor are required if the LearningResourceCenter is to be used to accommodate alternate test site,extended time, or test-reader accommodations. All such requestsshould be addressed to the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Director who will then arrange to accommodate the request if possible. Reasonableprior notice must be given to the LearningResourceCenter toensure compliance with the request.
XIII. Reasonable Accommodations and Auxiliary Aids: The accommodations andaids listed below will generally conform to the following guidelines:
1. Extended time for tests and examinations: Generally, most collegesconsider twice the amount of time specified for the completion of each test tobe extended time. Testing at two or more sittings may be appropriate.
2. Scribes or readers: Scribes or readers for eligible students will read testitems/record written responses exactly as given. Proctors will not provideadditional information, interpretation, or definitions about test items unlessspecifically included as part of the accommodation provided to the student.
3. Extended time for written assignments: Extensions for written assignmentswill be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Director inconsultation with the appropriate faculty and/or academic administrators,based on documentation provided by the student.
4. Tape recordings of classes: Faculty may request that students, for whomtaping lectures is an appropriate accommodation, sign the Wilson CollegeTape Recording Agreement (copies available through the LRC Office and online).
5. Note Takers and Scribes: Note takers and scribes assisting the student are todecode or transcribe only. NOTE: It is the responsibility of the student tosecure and arrange for the services of a note taker or scribe. The Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Directorwill assist the student in attempting to locate a volunteer note taker or scribe.
6. Sign language interpreters: Interpreters are to translate only. The Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Director will approve and coordinate sign language interpreterservices for a student with a documented disability on a case-by-case basis.Note: It is the responsibility of the student to request sign languageinterpreters in a timely manner.
7. Aids/personal assistants: The College does not provide personal assistants.It does not provide services of a personal nature, which include assistance ineating, toileting, dressing, or locomotion from one area of the campus toanother or from room to room.
8. Equipment: WilsonCollege does not provide devices such as wheelchairs orindividually prescribed devices such as hearing aids. Modifications toexisting structures or the provision of specialized equipment such aswheelchair accessible desks will be considered as it applies to theprescriptions inherent in Section 504 and on a case-by-case basis.
9. Waivers or substitutions: Course waivers or substitutions are not madewithout serious consideration. The ultimate decision is made by the VicePresident of Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty in consultation with theappropriate department chair, the Director of Academic Advising, the Directorof Admissions, and the Accommodations Coordinator and/or Director of the LearningResourceCenter. Section504 does not require that the institution make substitutions in courserequirements on request, only that it be willing to consider coursesubstitutions on a case-by-case basis.Course substitutions will be considered as a reasonable modification provided the substitution does not alter the nature of the program in which thestudent is enrolled, or excuse the student from courses that are integral tothe program in which the student is enrolled.
10. Waivers: While there may be rare instances in which a waiver of arequirement is determined to be the appropriate accommodation, it is typicallynot the accommodation of choice in promoting equal access to educationalopportunities. In some instances, however, a waiver may be an appropriateaccommodation to consider if other accommodations attempted have provedto be inappropriate or ineffective and to ask the individual to continue topursue successful completion of a requirement would be seen as punitive.
11. Transportation: If a field trip is scheduled for a class in which a disabledstudent is enrolled, and the transportation is provided by the college, thetransportation will be accessible.Field trips and field experiences for courses that have enrolled students
with disabilities must be made to accessible sites, or alternative fieldtrips/experiences must be offered to the entire class, unless the field trip orexperience in question is an essential component of the course and noreasonable alternative field trip or experience exists.
XIV. Services, Accommodations, and Aids Currently Available to Students with
Disabilities:
1. Tutoring services are available through the LearningResourceCenter on anindividual or small group basis. Call extension 3349 for information.
2. Computers are available for tutee/student use in the LearningResourceCenter, the Library, and in the ScienceCenter and Warfield computer labs.
3. In addition to tutoring assistance, the LearningResourceCenter offersperiodic workshops in many academic skills areas, assists in setting upstudy groups, and serves as a repository for learning materials and resources.
4. In-person and online writing support services are offered through the Writing Lab operatedin conjunction with the LearningResourceCenter. Call extension 3349 for information.
5. The college provides an Accommodations Coordinator who serves, under theauspices of the LRC Director and Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty, as anadvocate and a resource for students with disabilities on campus. The Accommodations Coordinator and the LRC Director offices are located on the first floor of Thomson Hall.
6. All reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids pursuant to Section 504of the ADA will be provided to qualified students with disabilities on a case-by-case basis.
7. WilsonCollege is committed to maintaining compliance with ADAspecifications with respect to building and facility accessibility and safety.
XV. Disputed Modification or Auxiliary Aid: If the documentation does not supportthe student's request for a specific reasonable accommodation or auxiliary aid, thestudent will be informed within 10 working days of the submission of the requestand will be advised of the need to supply further documentation or to revise theacademic adjustment request. The notice will explain why documentation did notsupport the request.
XVI. Disposition of Records: Documentation records maintained by the Accommodations Coordinator will be copies only, with the student retaining the originals. Theserecords will be kept on file by the Accommodations Coordinator for five years after the last dateof attendance, after which they will be destroyed.
XVII. Discrimination and Bias Statement: WilsonCollege policies prohibitdiscrimination, based on the tenets and articles of Section 504 and the ADA, in itseducational programs, activities, or employment and admissions practices.Inquiries regarding Section 504 and ADA compliance may be directed to theAccommodations Coordinator at (717) 264-4141, extension 3351, or the LRC Director at (717) 264-4141, extension 3349 and by mail to the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Director,WilsonCollege, 1015 Philadelphia Avenue,Chambersburg, PA, 17201.
XVIII. Legal Compliance: The Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty,with the assistance of the Accommodations Coordinator and/or LRC Director, will be responsible for legalcompliance and investigation of grievances for Students with LearningDisabilities and/or Neurological Impairments, as well as legal compliance andinvestigation of grievances for Students with a Physical Disability, a Mental orEmotional Impairment, and Students with a Health Impairment.
XIX. Appeal/Grievance Procedure: In the event of a dispute regarding compliancewith applicable laws, college policy, or the appropriateness of specific reasonablemodifications or auxiliary aids, the following procedures should be followed:
Informal Resolution Procedures: In accordance with the College’s HonorPrinciple, an informal resolution between the disputant and involvedindividual(s), office and/or department should be addressed first. The disputantmay seek assistance from the Accommodation Coordinator or LRC Director in order toresolve any concerns related to compliance and/or accommodations. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, a formal resolution may be pursued.
Formal Resolution Procedures: The student or faculty member (disputant) shallprovide a written statement to the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Director, the departmentchair/director, and the faculty member or student within 10 working days of theincident or circumstance. It shall be the responsibility of the Accommodations Coordinator tocontact all concerned parties in order to organize a meeting within five workingdays of receipt of the complaint.
During this meeting, each side will have the opportunity to make a presentation ofits interpretation of the dispute, and the Accommodations Coordinator or LRC Directorwill act as themediator. Every attempt will be made to affect a mutually agreeable solution.
Should this settlement be unacceptable to the disputant(s), the grievance issue willthen be forwarded in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean ofthe Faculty who will, in conjunction with the Accommodations Coordinator and/or LRC Director, appoint anad hoc Section 504 Grievance Committee who will then arrange a hearing within10 working days of receipt of the grievance. After hearing each side, the Section504 Grievance Committee will arbitrate what it considers a fair settlement.A written copy of this arbitration will be forwarded to the disputants, the VicePresident of Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty, and the Accommodations Coordinator and/or LRC Director within 10 working days of the hearing.
Any person who seeks to appeal the decision of the Section 504 GrievanceCommittee may do so in writing, within 10 working days of receipt of the same,to the Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty, whose decision isfinal.
If a disputant has a grievance and would like to go outside the College forresolution, s/he may wish to contact the Office of Civil Rights (OCR):
Office for Civil Rights Office for Civil Rights, Philadelphia Office
U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.WanamakerBuilding
Washington, DC 20202-1100 100 Penn Square East, Suite 515
1-800-421-3481 Philadelphia, PA19107
Fax (202) 245-6840 (215) 656-8541
TDD 877-521-2172 Fax (215) 656-8605 TDD (215) 656-8604
Email: OCR @ed.gov
NOTE: All students with disabilities, regardless of the disability, are required to followcollege policies and procedures, including Drop/Add of Courses, Class Attendance, andTesting and Grading Procedures.
Primary Resource:
FelicianCollege Policy and Procedures for Providing Services to Students withDisabilities, 1998.
References