A Comprehensive

Center for

Exceptional

Student Services

W a l t e r A n d e r s , J r .D i r e c t o r , A C C E S S ( D i s a b i l i t y S e r v i c e s )M i a m i D a d e C o l l e g e – I n t e r A m e r i c a n C a m p u s

•Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Prohibits discrimination against qualified students with disabilities in any program or activities of post-secondary educational institutions. Section 504 requires access to educational auxiliary aids for students with disabilities when such aids are necessary to guarantee the opportunity for successful participation in educational programs and activities

•Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 – Eliminates discrimination against persons with disabilities by removing social and architectural barriers which exist that tend to segregate persons from full participation in society. Intended to strengthen the scope of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in 1974

•ADA Title II - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all federally assisted programs and activities. Free interpreting services must be provided. Public entities must refrain from making unnecessary inquiries into a participant’s disability status

Postsecondary Institutions MUST:

• Make their programs, services, and facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified, unless doing so would cause the institution undue hardship or expense

• Provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified, unless doing so would alter the fundamental nature of the program, service, or activity

• Individuals with disabilities who feel they have been discriminated against solely on the basis of their disability are encouraged to go through the grievance procedures (Dr. Joy Ruff, EOE/ADA Officer)

• Ultimately, the individual may file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. OCR will investigate the charge and make a ruling

• Institutions found guilty of discrimination risk the loss of federal funding. A student may also file suit against the college

What is a disability?

• A disability is defined as a physical or mental condition that causes functional limitations that substantially limit one or more major life activities, including mobility, communication (seeing, hearing, speaking), and learning

Disability Categories:

• Deaf/Hard of Hearing

• Visual Impairment

• Specific Learning Disabilities

• Orthopedic Impairment

• Speech/Language Impairment

• Emotional or Behavioral Disability

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Traumatic Brain Injury

• Other Health Impairment

• Students with disabilities must self-identify and submit documentation of a qualifying disability to their campus ACCESS Department for appropriate auxiliary aids and services

• Documentation includes an evaluation by a licensed or certified professional such as a physician, psychologist, audiologist, learning disability specialists, etc…

• Accommodations must be reasonable and must not alter items within the course or program considered essential

o Individual Tutoring

o Sign Language Interpreting

o Note Takers/Scribes

o Special Testing Accommodations

• Tape Recorders

• Closed Circuit TV’s

• Wheelchair Accessible Tables

• Speech Synthesizers for Computers (JAWS)

• Every semester

ACCESS students

must fill out this form if

they are requesting

accommodations, such

as:

− Equipment

− Tutoring

− Note taker

• Notifies the teacher that an ACCESS student is in their class

• Allows the teacher to know if their student(s) needs any special accommodations

• Students requesting to take tests through the ACCESS Department are required to fill out this form at least 48hrs (2 days) prior to their class test date

When to refer:• A student self-discloses a disability

• An obvious physical disability (i.e., wheelchair)

• Repeated failing grades, good attendance and/or participation.

• Referral from external agency such as Vocational Rehabilitation

• A student has a Special High School Diploma

How to refer: • Let the student know that there is an ACCESS department, room 1111 • Encourage the student to visit any of the college-wide ACCESS offices

• Provide them the college-wide ACCESS website: mdc.edu/access

• Call the ACCESS Department at (305) 237-6360 and ask to speak to an ACCESS advisor

“Public entities (i.e., faculty, advisors, staff) must refrain from making

unnecessary inquiries into a participant’s disabled status.” – ADA Title II

• Sample Syllabus Statement:

“Students with documented disabilities should contact the campus

ACCESS (Disability) Services Department in advance for

information on appropriate policies and procedures for obtaining

assistance. ACCESS is the department responsible for

coordinating services for students with disabilities. No retroactive

services can be provided”

ACCESS Department

Directors/Coordinators:

Hialeah: Jose De Las Salas

Homestead: Carol Clinton

InterAmerican: Walter Anders, Jr.

Kendall: Elizabeth Smith

Medical: Aneisah Castro

North: Andrea Plunkett

Wolfson: Helen Muniz