Accessibility Services Office Policies and Procedures
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| Collection and Release of Information |
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Adirondack Community College understands that maintaining security of student records is essential to maintaining student trust. We also understand the sensitive nature of the comprehensive documentation required to verify the existence of a student’s disability and to determine the need for accommodation consideration. All disability related information is kept in secure files accessible only to the Director of Accessibility Services, the Learning Specialist and the Office Manager. The following policies and procedures are designed to control disability information as related to specific students:
Upon registering with the Accessibility Services Office, students are asked to sign a form informing them about our policy regarding the release and collection of disability related information. The consent statement enables the Office to verify that the student is seeking accommodation based on a disability and to request supporting information and documentation of the student’s disability status from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, other college offices, high schools, sponsoring agencies, physicians and psychotherapists.
The release statement is intended to inform students of our office’s right to share information with other College faculty and staff who has a legitimate educational interest in understanding the functional limitations presented to a student by virtue of his/her disability. Sharing of such information is limited to the purpose of assisting students to achieve their educational goals and to assure the effective implementation of assigned accommodations. Disability related information may be shared in the event of an investigation of a discrimination complaint, medical emergency or potential situations of harm to students themselves or to others. Disability related information may also be shared with other college officials in attempt to determine the student’s otherwise qualified status for a degree program or course or for the purpose of assessing a student’s documentation to determine eligibility for Accessibility Services under the ADA or section 504.
With the above policies and procedures in mind, it should be noted that service delivery and the goal of providing appropriate academic accommodations to students with disabilities is best handled as an interactive process. Our policy is designed to protect students from discrimination and to guarantee each student’s entitlement to equal access. Under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ACC faculty are entitled to consult with the Director of Accessibility Services and/or the Learning Specialist regarding the particular learning or operational limitations a student’s disability presents if there is a legitimate educational interest. This type of consultation enables faculty members to develop individualized strategies for addressing students’ needs. At no time will faculty or any other member of the College be provided with access to students’ disability documentation unless approved by the student. |
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| Emergency Alert and Evacuation |
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Emergency Alert
Each semester, the Special Service Office will submit a confidential Emergency Medical Alert list to the campus Crisis Intervention Team. This team is responsible for responding to medical and personal emergencies and for taking the appropriate action necessary to ensure that students receive the medical attention or psychological support needed. Based on the documentation received by the Accessibility Services Office or information gathered during the accommodation interview, students will be asked if they would like to be included on the Emergency Alert list. Students may also request to be placed on the list by speaking to the Director. Students who may consider being placed on this list may include, but are not limited to, those who with seizure disorders, heart conditions, anxiety disorders or panic disorders.
Emergency Evacuation
Each semester, the Special Service Office will submit a confidential Emergency Evacuation list to the Director of Facilities. In the event of a campus emergency, natural disaster, fire or any other event that requires the evacuation of classrooms or building, the Director of Facilities is responsible to ensure the safe and efficient evacuation of all students including those with disabilities that may prevent adherence to standard evacuation procedures. Students placed on this list may include, but are not limited to, those with mobility issues, or those who request to be placed on the list due to other medical or psychiatric issues. |
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| Appeal & Grievance Procedures |
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Accommodation Appeal Procedure
At all times the Accessibility Services Office will make every effort to appropriately accommodate students based on individual strengths, needs and personal preferences. Approved accommodations will be rooted in disability documentation, and may often extend beyond compliance. In cooperation with students, the Accessibility Services will assist in gathering documentation necessary to grant accommodation requests and will maintain communication with students regarding the interpretation and direction of documentation results in relation to specific requests. At times students may request accommodations that do not meet the definition of reasonable, as described above, or cannot be justified via the documentation submitted on the student’s behalf and therefore, may be denied. In the event that accommodations are denied, the Accessibility Services Office will seek to establish alternative accommodations or services.
In the instances that accommodation requests are denied by the Accessibility Services Office in opposition to students understanding or wishes, students may appeal the decision by submitting a Letter of Appeal to the Dean of Student Services. The letter should identify the specific accommodation request, a justification as to why the request should be considered reasonable and an explanation of extenuating circumstances. The Dean may consult with the student and/or the Director of Accessibility Services and may review disability documentation as necessary. The Dean also reserves the right to consult with the Vice President of Academic Affairs and/or convene an ad-hoc committee to review the accommodation request, the decision by the Director of Accessibility Services and the Letter of Appeal. In either event, a final decision will rest with the Dean of Student Services who will submit a written decision to the student. If the original request is approved the Accessibility Services Office will implement the accommodation. If the appeal is denied, the Accessibility Services Office will work with the student to establish alternative accommodations or services.
Grievance Procedure
Adirondack Community College is committed to the ideal that all students should be free from discrimination, whether intentional or unintentional, throughout their educational pursuit at the College. If, at any time, students feel that they have been subject to discriminatory actions or denied entitled rights, redress can be sought by filing a grievance with the Director of Accessibility Services. The grievance should be in writing and should address any concerns regarding an activity of the College or the behavior of another student or college employee. If the Director agrees that discrimination has taken place, or has the potential of taking place, steps will be taken to remedy the situation and may include cooperation and input from the student and consultation with the Office of Human Resources, the Dean of Student Services and/or the Vice President of Academic Affairs. If the Director does not, or can not, conclude that discrimination has taken place, or has the potential of taking place, the complaint will be forwarded to the Dean of Student Services for review. The Dean may choose to consult with the student, the Director of Accessibility Services, the Office of Human Resources, and/or the Vice President of Academic Affairs to determine a course of action. The student will be informed of the findings and actions regarding the grievance in a timely fashion.
Civil Rights Bureau
Adirondack Community College will, in good faith, comply with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will provide students with disabilities with equal access to all facilities, programs and activities of the College. This Student Handbook is designed to identify the rights and responsibilities of students and of the College and to clarify the procedures by which equal access is provided to students with disabilities. In the event that students perceive that the policies and procedures of the College do not provide access compliant with federal law, the New York State Office of Advocates for Persons with Disabilities may be contacted for consultation and direction. This office is administered by the Civil Rights bureau within the Office of the New York State Attorney General and can be contacted at (518) 473-4129. |
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