Current and appropriate documentation of a disability must be provided to the Access Office and must show how the disability substantially limits one or more major life activities. Once documentation is reviewed and an initial meeting is completed, accommodations can be approved by the Access Coordinator. All disability-related information remains private and separate from a student's academic record.
Please click this Documentation Guidelines link for more information regarding appropriate documentation.
It is the student's responsibility to self-identify, provide current and appropriate documentation of his or her disability, and to request accommodations from the Access Office. If a student chooses not to disclose his or her disability to the Access Office, the student is not covered under Section 504 and the ADA. The student will also be unable to receive academic accommodations or support services.
Students should take the following steps to ensure appropriate accommodations are in place before the semester begins.
1. Contact the Access Office for an appointment.
2. Submit appropriate documentation of disability to the Access Office.
3. Meet with your navigator and register for classes.
4. Provide the Access Office with your class schedule each semester to obtain your accommodation forms for courses.
If accommodations will be needed for the Accuplacer, the student will need to meet with the Access Coordinator prior to registering for the test.
Please click this Student Responsibilities link for further information.
Accommodations may include:
- Alternative testing environment (extended time, limited distractions)
- Assistive technology
- Alternative format textbooks and course materials
- Notetaking support
- Housing accommodations
- Classroom accommodations
Rights and Responsibilities
Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2009 continue to provide direction and guidance to the college as it reaches new levels of access in all areas. The college and student have rights and responsibilities.
Student Rights
Every qualified student with a disability has the right to:
- Equal access to educational and co-curricular programs, services, activities, and facilities available through MAC.
- Reasonable and effective accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids as determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Confidentiality regarding disability information including the right to choose to whom the disclosure of disability is made except as required by law.
- Receive information in reasonably accessible formats (must meet request deadlines to ensure availability).
Student Responsibilities
Every student with a disability has the responsibility to:
- Meet MAC’s qualifications including essential technical, academic, and institutional standards.
- Self-Identify as an individual with a disability and request accommodations through the Access Office in a timely manner.
- Provide documentation from an appropriate professional source verifying the nature of the disability, functional limitations, and the rationale for specific accommodations being recommended.
- Follow specific procedures for obtaining reasonable and appropriate accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids as outlined.
Institutional Rights & Responsibilities
Mineral Area College (MAC) through the Access Office has the right and responsibility to:
- Maintain the college’s academic standards.
- Require qualifying disability documentation to verify eligibility for disability related accommodations
- Discuss students’ eligibility with diagnosing professionals if signed consent has been given.
- Deny requests for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids when disability documentation does not identify a specific disability, fails to verify the need for the requested services, or is not provided in a timely manner.
- Deny requests for accommodations, adjustment, and/or auxiliary aids that are inappropriate or unreasonable based on disability documentation including any that:
- Pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others;
- Constitute a substantial change or alteration of an essential course element/program standard, or
- Pose undue financial or administrative burden on the college.