North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC)

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Intake Questionnaire
Reduced Courseload
Assistive Technology
Request for Alternate Media
Grievance Procedure
On Track: Time Management Program

Transition Workshop

Disability Services

North Iowa Area Community College strives to provide an accessible environment for Students, Faculty & Staff. We provide support to students with disabilities in reaching academic goals and work to ensure equal access to educational opportunities.

North Iowa Area Community College employs a Disability Services Counselor who coordinates services between students with disabilities and their interactions with the college. Working in partnership with the student, the Disability Services Counselor 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 by contacting the Disability Services Counselor at the following:

Lisa Vance
Counselor, Disability Services
Student Access Center, AB106A
North Iowa Area Community College
500 College Drive
Mason City IA 50401

Phone: (641) 422.4296 or (888) GO.NIACC, ext. 4296
Fax: (641) 422.4430
vancelis@niacc.edu

Accessible Route Map

If you are a student with a disability, you should complete the steps listed below:

Submit documentation to verify presence of a disability. Documentation must be written by a qualified provider, such as a psychologist, physician, or a Special Education Coordinator, depending on the disability, and must provide a rationale for reasonable accommodations. NIACC supports the use of the Support for Accommodation Request (SAR) form. Use the links provided for a sample SAR form and information (framework) reqarding it's completion. Contact your local AEA office for more information.

** Documentation is kept confidential. Information is shared with NIACC faculty and staff on a need to know basis following the guidelines of FERPA, or as directed by the student.

               Documentation should include:
                        1. A description of the disability
                      2. Tests administered, if applicable
                       3. Effects of disability on student's ability to access NIACC's programs, services & activities
                        4. Recommended accommodations for student in postsecondary education

Please note: Transfer institutions may have additional requirements before reasonable accommodations will be approved. It is recommended that you contact your transfer institution for specific information regarding the process for registering with their Disability Services office and obtaining reasonable accommodations. For general guidelines regarding "essential elements of quality disability documentation" the AHEAD website discussing "documentation best practices" may be useful.

Complete a Disability Services Intake Questionnaire and provide this questionnaire to the Disability Services Office. This form needs to be completed before accommodation needs will be determined. The Questionnaire can be printed using the link provided or can be made available in alternate format by contacting the Disability Services Office, AB106.

Meet with the Disability Services Counselor 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 Counselor will prepare and provide the student with a copy of the Accommodations Request Letter for the instructor of each course that accommodations are requested for.

To initiate a request, the student must deliver a copy of the document to the instructor of each course for which an accommodation is requested.

Meet with the instructor(s) to discuss how accommodations will be implemented. (If there are any questions from the student or instructor regarding accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Counselor.)

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--they are not a guarantee of success.

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.

Common Types of Reasonable Accommodations Provided at NIACC:

· Classroom Accommodations:

i. Front of the class seating

ii. Tape recorder / Note taker for lectures

iii. Interpreter / signer

iv. Closed caption VCR

v. Use of a calculator

· Testing Accommodations:

i. Testing in a distraction-reduced environment

ii. Word processor for essay exams

iii. Extended time

iv. Exams read allowed using Kurzweil 3000 software

v. Enlarged print examinations

Please note: This list is not all-inclusive. Accommodations are based on the student’s individual needs.

Reduced Course Load as an Accommodation. Please click on the link to learn more about NIACC's policy regarding reduced course load for qualified students with disabilities.

Request for Alternate Media (E-text, Braille, Large Print). If you are a student with a disability who requires particular media in a alternate format, please print and complete the form provided and bring to the Disability Services Office.

Assistive Technology & Text to Speech available at NIACC.

Is online learning for me? Online classes are available for students who need them, but they tend to be more difficult for students than those held in a classroom. Take some time to research what's required for an online course so that you are able to make an informed choice regarding your preferred class format.

Service Animal Policy

North Iowa Area Community College complies with all applicable federal and state regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. These regulations affirm that any qualified person receive reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities, services, programs and activities at the college.

Any student who believes he/she has been denied any service or benefit or otherwise discriminated against due to a disability may follow the steps outlined in NIACC’s Grievance Procedure.

Faculty Page

ADA Coordinator:                 Lisa Vance
                                                AB106A
                                                641.422.4296 OR 1.888.GO NIACC, ext. 4296
                                                vancelis@niacc.edu

ADA Compliance Officer:     Karen Pierson
                                                AB-104B
                                                641.422.4003 OR 1.888.GO NIACC, ext. 4003
                                                pierskar@niacc.edu

Student Access Center

North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
641-423-1264 or 1-888-GO NIACC
www.niacc.edu