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Personal Care Attendant

Purpose & Commitment

NIACC is committed to ensuring qualified students with disabilities have equal access to its programs, services, and activities, consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title II of the ADA, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA).
NIACC’s public ADA notice affirms this non‑discrimination commitment and designates the Director of Disability Services as the ADA Coordinator. [Auxilliary Aids & Services from U.S. DOE] [ADAAA information from the EEOC]

Scope

This policy applies to students who, because of disability-related functional limitations, require assistance with personal tasks to access NIACC programs, services, housing, or activities. It covers all NIACC locations and learning environments, including classrooms, labs, co-curricular activities, events, and college-managed housing. [ed.gov]

Definitions

Student with a Disability: An otherwise qualified individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, per the ADA and ADAAA. [eeoc.gov]

Personal Care Attendant (PCA): An individual hired by the student to provide personal services (chronic or temporary), such as assistance with ADLs (e.g., bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring), meal support, medication reminders, and health monitoring. PCAs work directly for the student and are not academic participants.

Postsecondary institutions must provide reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services, so students with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy college programs. [ed.gov]

Postsecondary institutions must provide reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services, so students with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy college programs. [ed.gov]

NIACC’s Role

NIACC does not recruit, hire, supervise, manage, or pay for PCA services and assumes no financial responsibility or legal liability for PCA conduct or performance.

NIACC Disability Services (NDS) will evaluate PCA use as part of the individualized accommodation process, document approved PCA access in the student’s accommodation letter, and communicate with faculty/housing about the non-academic presence of a PCA as needed.

NIACC’s NDS processes (intake, documentation, accommodation letters) apply to PCA accommodations; students must register with NDS and renew accommodations each term.

Student Responsibilities

Students who use PCAs are responsible for:

  1. Registering with Disability Services and providing documentation that supports the necessity of a PCA as part of the accommodation plan.
  2. Recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, scheduling, and compensating for their PCA(s), including developing contingency plans when a PCA is unavailable.
  3. Ensuring the PCA complies with NIACC policies, the Code of Conduct applicable to campus visitors/guests, and any environment-specific requirements (e.g., safety training, background checks for certain clinical or lab spaces).
  4. Providing NDS with current PCA information (name and contact details) each semester or whenever a PCA changes.
  5. Establishing a non-disruptive communication method with the PCA in classrooms and labs; the PCA must not interfere with instruction or assessments.
  6. Housing logistics for PCAs (e.g., rooming, guest permissions, parking), including any costs of housing/meal plans the PCA might require.

PCA Responsibilities (On Campus)

PCAs on NIACC premises must:

  • Act solely to address personal care needs; they are non-academic participants who would not typically proctor exams, ask/answer questions in class, or engage in instructional activities unless specifically authorized for communication access through NDS.
  • Maintain professional conduct, confidentiality, and respect for student privacy; comply with all NIACC policies and directions from college officials regarding safety and access.
  • Meet any health/safety prerequisites applicable to the environment (e.g., background check, immunizations, PPE) when required for presence in specific settings.
  • Ensure the student is actively involved in any communication in which the student is being represented. The PCA should not independently represent or advocate on the student’s behalf; communication with faculty or staff should include the student and NDS when appropriate.

Approval & Implementation Process

  1. Interactive Process: The student must register with NDS. Student meets with NDS to discuss functional limitations and need for a PCA, and complete the accommodation letter (each semester).
  2. Accommodation Letter: NDS notes PCA presence as a reasonable accommodation and provides guidance to faculty about the PCA’s non-academic role in the learning environment.
  3. Environment-Specific Rules: For labs, clinicals, or internship sites, instructors will contact NDS to identify any issues related to permissible PCA presence and any prerequisite clearances.

Classroom, Lab, and Event Conduct

  • The PCA’s role is limited to physical/personal assistance (e.g., opening doors, retrieving materials, page turning, positioning).
  • PCAs should be seated in a location that allows assistance without disrupting instruction or assessment.
  • Academic supports like exam proctoring, or tutoring are not typically functions of a PCA. [ed.gov]

Residence Life / Housing

NIACC supports PCA presence in college-managed housing when appropriate and documented through NDS. Housing arrangements (e.g., guest access, overnight presence) must align with residence policies and safety rules; any costs, including rooming for a PCA, are the student’s responsibility.

Costs & Liability

NIACC is not responsible for PCA recruitment, coordination, payment, housing, meals, or any direct/indirect costs associated with PCA services.

PCAs are not NIACC employees or agents; NIACC is not liable for PCA acts/omissions. NIACC may restrict or remove a PCA who violates college policies or poses health/safety risks.

Background Checks & Compliance (When Applicable)

Some environments (e.g., labs, clinicals, placements) may require background checks or health clearances for all present persons; if required, PCAs must meet the same criteria to be present.

Confidentiality & Records

Disability-related information is managed by NDS under FERPA and NIACC confidentiality practices; PCA details recorded by NDS are treated as part of the accommodation file and shared on a need‑to‑know basis.

Emergency Planning

Students using PCAs should develop an emergency support plan (e.g., illness coverage, evacuation assistance) with NDS and relevant NIACC offices; PCA presence must not impede emergency procedures.

Misconduct or Performance Issues

NIACC may remove or limit a PCA’s campus access for conduct inconsistent with NIACC policies, safety standards, or the non-academic role description. The student remains responsible for arranging alternative PCA coverage to maintain access.

Grievance Process

Students who believe they have been denied equal access related to PCA accommodation may file a grievance under NIACC’s Disability Services Grievance Procedure.