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Disability Services Student Handbook

Administration Building, Room 106
500 College Drive
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 422-4296
(641) 422-4108 (fax)

Table of Contents

Introduction & Contact Information
Confidentiality and Release of Information
Initiating Services and Accommodations
Testing Accommodations
Class Scheduling Guidelines
Note Taking Assistance
Alternative Media
Campus and Other Resources
Parking & Accessible Routes on Campus
Policies & Procedures

INTRODUCTION: UNDERSTANDING DISABILITY SERVICES IN COLLEGE

North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. These accommodations are provided to assist students with disabilities in accessing education at NIACC. Working in partnership with the student, the Disability Services Director will develop an individual plan for services that will include accommodations in testing and instruction. A student with disabilities must submit documentation to verify presence of a disability and request services each semester.

NIACC Disability Services Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Administration Building, Rm 106
500 College Drive Mason City, IA 50401

Phone Numbers:
Office: (641) 422-4296
Fax: (641) 422-4150

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Confidentiality and Release of Information

NIACC Disability Services is committed to ensuring that all information and communication pertaining to a student’s disability is maintained as confidential as required or permitted by law.

The following guidelines about the treatment of such information have been adopted by NIACC Disability Services. These guidelines incorporate relevant state and federal regulations.

  1. No one will have immediate access to student files in NIACC Disability Services except appropriate staff of NIACC Disability Services. Any information regarding a disability is considered confidential and will be shared only with others within the college who have a legitimate educational interest.
  2. This information is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
  3. Sensitive information in NIACC Disability Services student files will not be released except in accordance with federal and state laws.
  4. A student’s file may be released pursuant to a court order or subpoena.
  5. If a student wishes to have information about his/her disability shared with others outside the college, the student must provide written authorization to the Director for NIACC Disability Services to release the information. Before giving such authorization, the student should understand the purpose of the release and to whom the information is being released. The student should also understand that there may be occasions when the Director for NIACC Disability Services will share information regarding a student’s disability at his/her discretion if circumstances necessitate the sharing of information and the Director has determined that there is an appropriate legitimate education interest involved.
  6. A student has the right to review his/her own NIACC Disability Services file with reasonable notification.

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Initiating Services and Accommodations

Below are steps in acquiring accommodations at NIACC:

  • Submit documentation to verify presence of a disability to Disability Services
  • Complete a Disability Services Intake Questionnaire and submit to Disability Services.
  • Meet with the Disability Services Director to discuss individual needs and complete an Accommodations Request Letter. Please note: An Accommodation Request Letter must be completed each semester with our office.
  • The Disability Services Director will prepare and provide the student/instructors with a copy of the Accommodations Request Letter for the instructor of each course that accommodations are requested for.
  • The Director of Disability Services will provide an electronic copy of the accommodation letter to instructor(s).
  • Student has the option of meeting with instructor(s) to discuss accommodation requests.
  • Make revisions to the Accommodation Request Letter, as needed.

NIACC will offer reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Reasonable accommodations are meant to provide equal access to educational opportunities.

Please note: Although you may request an accommodation from NIACC at any time, you should request it as early as possible. Some accommodations may take more time to provide than others. Requesting accommodations early will help to ensure that NIACC has enough time to review your request and provide appropriate accommodations. See our Policies & Procedures for more information about specific accommodations

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Testing Accommodations

Students set up testing accommodations with the Director for Disability Services.

You have three (3) exam options available to you. Any options require discussion with your instructor and depend on each individual situation:

  1. Take your exams with the class.
  2. Take your exams with appropriate accommodations arranged by the instructor.
  3. Take your exams in the Student Learning Center.

If you have an online test, you’ll need to let the Director for Disability Services know the type and version of software needed for exams and the dates the software will be used. It is important to provide advanced notice to your Director to ensure the test accommodations will be available for you.

Lateness, Illness, No Show, Cancellation, Rescheduling of Exams:

  1. You are expected to take your test at the time designated and approved by your instructor.
  2. If you arrive late for your exam, you must take the remaining time to complete your exam.
  3. There is no guarantee that the instructor will permit a make-up exam.
  4. This policy also applies if you are late due to illness. If you’re unable to take an exam due to illness or emergency, contact your instructor immediately.
  5. 5. You are responsible for coordinating the makeup of any missed exam or quiz with your instructor.

Does your disability impact your ability to perform certain types of work or tasks? For example, if you have a reading-related learning disability, would managing multiple classes that require extensive reading be challenging

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Class Scheduling Guidelines

  1. Consider your disability-related needs and issues when scheduling. Some factors to consider might be:
    1. What time of day do the classes meet?
    2. How often do classes meet?
    3. Can you handle back-to-back classes or do you need breaks?
    4. Is your course work balanced, so that you avoid an overload?

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Note Taking Assistance

Students may require note taking assistance due to a disability. Students authorized for Note Taking Assistance accommodation will be using the following form below.

– Sample Note Taking Assistance Form –

To:
From:
Re: Request for a note taker

Student:
ID#:

The above named student is registered with the NIACC Disability Services Office and is eligible for note taking assistance

Student has requested a note taker for:

Instructor request: Would you please ask one of your students or announce in class the need for a note taker? Any information about the student requesting a note taker should remain confidential. You can simply say, “There is a student in the class that needs a note taking assistant. Will someone please volunteer to assist in taking notes for this student?”

Student responsibility: If no student elects to be a note taker, please notify me to offer your suggestions about which students you believe would do a good job taking notes. I will contact students who you recommend to try to find someone who is willing to share his/her notes. ___________ (student initials)

  • The student doing the note taking would be paid $ for the semester (plus an additional $ for first-time note takers to complete a brief training).
  • The note taker will need to come to the Student Access Office, AB106 to make arrangements to be a note taker, complete a memo to receive the payment and fill out a W-4 at the business office.
  • Any questions? Please have the potential note taker see me.

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Alternative Media

Obtaining Alternative Media is a joint effort between the Director of Disability Services and the student.

Steps for requesting materials:

  1. Register with NIACC Disability Services.
  2. Purchase a hard copy of your textbook.
  3. Complete an Alternate Media Request Form. Note: You must show proof of purchase of your textbooks before your request will be completed.

Notification E-mails & Receiving Materials:

  1. The Director of Disability Services will notify you as materials are ready for pickup
  2. Before receiving your Alternative Media, please schedule an appointment with the Director of Disability Services if training is necessary before using the media.
  3. Check to ensure the materials are working and are in the correct format within 24 hours of receipt. If they are not correct, please report this to Disability Services immediately.

The Alternate Media Request Form can be found online

FAQ:

Q. Will I be charged for having my materials converted into an alternate format?
A. No, you will not be charged. This is a free service; however you do need to purchase your own textbooks.

Q. How long will it take before I receive my materials?
A. There are many factors that are part of creating Alternate Media. It’s recommended that you submit your request 6-8 weeks before needing the material.

Q. Do I have to have to have all my materials converted?
A. No. The Director of Disability Services will proceed with only the materials you requested, based on the information you provided on your request form.

Q. Do I have to return my converted texts at the end of the semester?
A. No, they are yours to keep, but you are not able to make copies or share with another individual, copy, or distribute the alternate media and as soon as you no longer own the hard copy of the material, the alternative version must be destroyed.

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Campus and Other Resources

ADA Coordinator
Administration Building, Rm 106
641-422-4296
disabilityservices@niacc.edu

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Parking & Accessible Routes on Campus

Any student or visitor with a permanent or temporary mobility impairment who has a disability parking placard is eligible to use our accessible parking spaces.

If you do not currently hold a State of Iowa Disability placard, you must obtain one before parking in NIACC’s accessible parking spaces. These placards are available from the Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division. Information about obtaining a disability parking permit may be found at the following link: https://iowadot.gov/mvd/vehicleregistration/vehicleregistration/plates/disabilities

Office of Vehicle Services
Iowa Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 9278
Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9278
Telephone: 515.237.3110
E-mail: vehser@dot.iowa.gov

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Accessible Campus Routes

It is advised you contact NIACC Disability Services if you’re concerned about the conditions of any accessible route on our campus. NIACC works to ensure accessible routes are clear of snow and debris. If you find there’s a problem with any accessible route please notify the Director of Disability Services immediately.

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Policies and Procedures

 
Formal Grievance Procedure:

  1. If informal discussions with College personnel have not resolved the issue, the individual shall submit a written complaint to the Director of Disability Service, using the Anti-Discrimination Grievance Form.  The Director of Disability Services will attempt to resolve complaints with the parties involved.   The student and involved parties will be notified by the Director of progress, findings, or resolution within 10 business days after receiving the complaint.
  2. If the Student and the Director of Disability Services cannot produce a resolution to the conflict, the Student may contact the Vice President of Student Services to request assistance.  The VPSDS, in consultation with other involved parties, will evaluate the complaint and determine an appropriate resolution.  The VPSDS will inform all involved parties of her progress, findings or resolution within 10 business days after receiving the complaint.
  3. In a founded case where it’s been shown discrimination has occurred, NIACC will take steps to prevent recurrence of any discrimination and to correct discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate.
  4. The student is encouraged, when possible, to resolve the complaint by utilizing the steps described above.  If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of this procedure or does not want to utilize the College’s grievance procedure, he/she has the right to file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at any time to begin the formal stage of the complaint process.  More information is available from OCR.

Note: When a student has a complaint against NIACC Disability Services and/or one of its staff members, the student should first discuss the complaint with the Director of Disability Services. If the complaint is not resolved, or for a specific reason cannot be discussed with the Director of Disability Services, the student should contact the VPSS.

Contact Information:

Director of Disability Services/ADA Coordinator
500 College Drive
Mason City, IA 50401
Administration Building, Room 106
Telephone: 641-422-4296
Fax: 641-422-4108
Email: lisa.vance@niacc.edu

Vice President of Student Services
Dr. Rachel McGuire
500 College Drive
Mason City, IA 50401
Telephone: 641-422-4104
Fax: 641-422-4385
Email: rachel.mcguire@niacc.edu

Denver Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80204
Telephone: 303-572-7306
Email: OCR@ed.gov

All written grievances received by North Iowa Area Community College and documentation of all proceedings will be retained by the Disability Services Office for at least three (3) years. This documentation may include materials such as written findings of facts, transcripts, or audio recordings.