AP 5140 Disabled Student Programs and Services
References:
29 U.S. Code Sections 701 et seq.;
NWCCU 2020 Standard 2. G. 1.
ORS 659.850
The Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, CFR 104.43
AP 5530 - Complaint and Grievance Procedure
Rogue Community College maintains a plan for providing programs and services to students with disabilities designed to assure equality of access to classes, programs, activities, and events.
RCC abides by The Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Both laws were created to ensure non-discrimination and directly impact post-secondary education.
Americans with Disabilities as Amended, 2008 (ADAAA) & Section 504 and the Rehabilitation Act 1973 defines a disability as “A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity; a record of such impairment; being regarded as having such an impairment.” Access and Disability Resources (Access) at RCC operates from a social progressive definition, that disability is a result of the interaction between the individual and the environment.
Examples of disabilities include learning disabilities, blindness, deafness, mental health diagnoses such as PTS, ADHD, depression and anxiety. Traumatic brain injury and medical diagnoses such as chronic migraines, lupus, and diabetes are also included.
The ADA states ". . .no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity."
According to Section 504, "Any institution receiving federal funds cannot discriminate on basis of disability and must provide equal access."
The College must provide students with appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in a school's program. Accommodations must be effective and remove the barrier, be appropriately related to the student’s disability/functional limitation and maintain essential elements of the course. Accommodations must not impose a direct threat to others or a student’s self, give a student an unfair advantage, be of a personal nature, or present an undue hardship.
Staffing
At RCC, the Access and Disability Resource office consists of an Access and Disability Resource Coordinator, two Access and Disability Resources Specialists, and generally two student workers that provide services to RCC students at all three campuses.
Intake Process
In order for Access and Disability Resources to provide reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations for disabilities, a student is asked to complete an Access application, provide documentation, meet with the Access office, learn to identify and then request the accommodations that the student is eligible to utilize. Students who do not have documentation at the time of their appointment may be provided provisional accommodations for one term. Decisions by Access on accommodation requests are made within a week and in some instances on the same day. Third-party information may not be necessary to confirm a disability or evaluate requests for accommodations when a condition or its impacts are readily apparent or comprehensively described.
Student Rights
In accordance with federal law, FERPA, documentation regarding a student’s disability is kept in a separate, confidential digital file managed by Access and Disability Resources and will not be a part of a student’s academic record.
Knowledge of a student’s specific disability is not disclosed to individuals outside of Access and Disability Resources. Access will only disclose a student’s disability with a student’s written consent. Exceptions of this requirement include: a threat to a student’s self or others; a past, present, or potential threat to a child or vulnerable adult; or if RCC receives a court order to disclose the information.
Students are told their rights and responsibilities regarding the ADAAA and Section 504 during their intake appointment with Access. Students are provided with information to contact Access should an accommodation not be provided by an instructor. Should an accommodation be disputed by an instructor or department, Access will provide support for the student to find a solution. If an accommodation is denied by Access, students may pursue a complaint or grievance through the RCC AP 5530 - Complaint and Grievance Procedure.
Accommodations
Academic accommodations are modifications or adjustments that provide equal access and opportunity so students can participate in RCC courses, facilities, services, and activities.
Academic accommodations are determined individually, based on student documentation. Academic accommodations do not substantially alter curriculum or change key elements or functions of a course or college programs. Students with accommodations are required to complete the same course work as other students.
Academic Accommodations at RCC
Sample Services may include:
- Note Taking Services – Options for note-taking services include: generative artificial intelligence, use of digital recorders and/or smartpens
- Interpreting Services – ASL interpreting tools are available to assist students in both credit and non-credit college courses and related activities such as conferences and meetings with other college staff.
- Readers/Scribes for testing
- Adaptive Technology – examples include: Adaptive Tables, Adaptive Chairs, digital voice recorders.
Short Term Measurable Objectives and Long Range Goals
Access and Disability Resources will continue to measure the number of students requesting accommodations per term and accommodations provided to understand which accommodation are more effective at removing barriers. As a longer term goal, the office will begin to capture data and write reports on the degree to which system level barriers or attitudinal barriers impact course completion for students with disabilities. Access will work closely with The Teaching and Learning Center to continue to promote accessible online course content.
Rescinds Procedure Number: None
Approved: April 13, 2020
Revised: June 4, 2024