Accessing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Policy 101

It is the intent of Nicolet Area Technical College (NATC) to fully comply with section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA/504 Coordinator and the Special Needs Support Program Coordinator will determine and provide effective accommodation for prospective and enrolled students with disabilities. Robert Pound, the Director of Human Resources, and the ADA/504 Coordinator, will ensure that students with disabilities are provided access to and participation in Nicolet Area Technical College's educational environment.

Accessing Reasonable Accommodation for Current and Prospective Students
Eligibility for Effective Accommodation
Types of Reasonable Accommodations
Confidentiality

A. Accessing Reasonable Accommodation for Current and Prospective Students

All prospective and enrolled students will be informed of NATC's policy of providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. This information will be disseminated by NATC.
All prospective and enrolled students will be given equal access to college services and programs.
Prospective students will not be asked if they have a disability; however, all prospective students who voluntarily indicate during the admissions process that they have a disability may be asked follow-up questions regarding possible accommodations, or they may be referred to the Special Needs Support Program for further assistance.
All prospective students who are admitted will receive the "NATC Reasonable Accommodations Request Form" if needed or requested (see attachment).
Any student who becomes disabled during his/her enrollment or attendance at NATC may request reasonable accommodation at any time. (See Accommodation Request Form attached.)

B. Eligibility for Effective Accommodation

Students requesting accommodation must provide NATC with specific documentation of their disability and fill out a NATC Reasonable Accommodation Request Form. Reports from medical doctors, licensed psychologists, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, any licensed/certified social service agency, or high school Multi-disciplinary Team Report (M-Team) are acceptable. In order to assure auxiliary aids are available to meet students' and prospective students' needs, students must contact the Special Needs Support Program as soon as possible, but no later than ten (10) calendar days prior to the first day the service is needed.

C. Types of Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable (effective) accommodations at NATC can include but are not limited to any or all of the following: barrier-free design of facilities, academic modifications (reduced course loads, additional time to complete assignments/examinations, course substitutions); examination auxiliary services (interpreters, note takers, tutors, scribes, readers); access technology (large print, audible and/or Braille output devices), and alternative scheduling at various times and locations.
Designated faculty and staff in the Special Needs Support Program are responsible for evaluating the type and amount of accommodations required for students with disabilities. Referrals to the Special Needs Support Program can be made by an instructor or through student self-referral after students have been admitted/registered in classes. Special Needs staff will meet with the instructor and student to determine what services/accommodations will be provided until documentation is secured. All recommended accommodations are provided at no charge to the student.
Any faculty/staff/student/support personnel who may be aware of students with disabilities are asked to contact the Special Needs Support Program staff. This will enable Special Needs staff to effectively and appropriately coordinate services/accommodations for disabled prospective or enrolled students attending NATC.

D. Confidentiality

Admission of a disability is voluntary and will be handled in a confidential manner as outlined in Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act of 1974 as amended.

The Appeal Process

If a student/prospective student disagrees with a decision regarding an accommodation request, he/she may appeal the decision to the Director of Human Resources or designee within 30 calendar days using the following procedure:

The appeal must be in writing, stating the reason for the disagreement. This written appeal should be submitted to:

Director Human Resources
Nicolet College, University Transfer Center 201
Rhinelander, WI 54501
Phone 715-365-4450 or (TDD) 1-800-544-3039

Pending the outcome of the appeal, the accommodations recommended by college staff will be available.

The Director of Human Resources will re-evaluate the decision, considering any additional information or statements supplied by the prospective student or student (including any additional information from medial or vocational rehabilitation experts). It is the student's responsibility to provide all necessary documentation at his/her own expense in support of their appeal.

The Director of Human Resources may elect to use the assistance of an accommodations committee. The ADA/504 Accommodations Committee may consult with outside agencies in the appeal process, taking care to provide confidentiality for the student/prospective student.

The ADA/504 Accommodations Committee will discuss its findings and make recommendations for appropriate action to the Director of Human Resources.

The Director of Human Resources will make the final appeal decision.

The student/prospective student will be notified of the final decision in writing within 30 calendar days after the appeal is filed.

By filing this appeal, the student/prospective student does not give up his/her right to pursue other appeal processes within the College or through outside regulatory agencies.

DATE ADOPTED: March 1, 1995
DATE(S) REVISED: May 11, 2004
DATE(S) REVIEWED: January 2004

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