Accessibility Services

In alignment with our college mission of scholarship, participation, and service, McPherson College strives to create an inclusive learning environment that provides equal access to all students. Working in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, Accessibility Services provides accommodation to students with a variety of needs. To request accommodation, please contact Linda Barrett at [email protected] or (620) 242-0510.

What is ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 ensures that agencies that offer federal financial assistance do not subject individuals with physical and mental disabilities to exclusion, segregation, or unequal treatment. By complying with ADA and Section 504, the college meets basic nondiscrimination requirements, meaning it provides access or alternatives for access to facilities; makes reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures as necessary; and communicates effectively with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.

How do I request accommodation?

If possible, contact the Royer Center for Academic Development to request accommodation two weeks prior to the start of the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to make the request. Please remember that if a student does not request services, services will not be provided. Although it is helpful for all students needing accommodation to meet with Accessibility Services staff as soon as possible, accommodations requests can be accepted at any time. You can contact Accessibility Services at [email protected] or (620) 242-0510 to schedule an appointment. Students should make accommodation requests to Linda Barrett at [email protected] or (620) 242-0510 rather than making them directly to faculty members who are teaching their classes. Faculty members are instructed not to grant or deny accommodation requests from students and to refer such requests to Accessibility Services staff.

Do I need to bring documentation of disability to my initial meeting with Accessibility Services staff?

While it is helpful for our staff to have as much information as you feel comfortable sharing at our first meeting, documentation of disability is NOT required for the initial meeting. In fact, we encourage all students needing services to make an appointment with our staff as soon as they arrive on campus even if they do not have current documentation of disability.

What documentation is required to receive services?

Several different forms of documentation can be used to establish disability, and the extent of documentation required may vary depending on the claimed disability and requested accommodations. Third-party documentation is requested to help clarify the nature of disability and provide insight into the ways the learning environment may impact disability. This documentation is used to supplement information gathered in the initial student interview and in the assessment by our staff. Additional documentation may be requested as deemed necessary to adequately meet the needs of each student and maintain a standard of reasonable accommodation. In some cases (but not in others), recent evaluations or final IEP evaluations can aid our staff in ensuring that you receive the best possible accommodation.

What determines reasonable accommodation?

Reasonable accommodations are granted on a case-by-case basis pursuant to an interactive process between the institution and student. Reasonable accommodation will not and should not:

• substantially alter the educational standards ;
• fundamentally alter the nature of the program, course, service, activity, or policy/practice as written and applied;
• allow access to a program when a student is not otherwise qualified (with or without accommodations) to meet the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in an education program, course, service and/or activity;
• cause undue financial or administrative hardship (college-wide);
• be of personal service in nature (personal aid or study coach);
• pose a direct threat to the health or safety of the student with a disability or others as a result of accommodation implementation.

Not all accommodation requests will be granted. Temporary accommodation may be available while the college engages in the interactive process to determine whether ongoing accommodation is appropriate and, if so, which reasonable accommodations are needed. Temporary accommodations do not reflect a determination that ongoing accommodation will be granted and/or which reasonable accommodations are appropriate, and do not create an obligation on the part of the college to continue accommodation.

Are granted accommodations retroactive?

No. Once a student requests and is granted an accommodation, the student is not able to redo assignments or retake exams that they originally completed before they requested and received accommodations.

Is my conversation with Accessibility Services staff confidential?

Yes, you can meet to discuss possible accommodation with our staff and be assured that all conversations will be confidential. If you decide to request an accommodation, our staff will explain how information will be communicated to appropriate parties on campus and ask you to sign an approval to release disability information for the purpose of accommodation.

Do I need to meet regularly with the Accessibility Services staff?

Although regular meetings during the semester are not required, students are encouraged to meet with the Accessibility Services staff at the beginning of each semester. This meeting allows student and staff to review the past semester and discuss any additional accommodation or issues with accommodation. Of course, our staff is willing to meet regularly with any student wishing to do so.

What are some common accommodations?

• Extended time on in classroom exams
• A quiet, distraction-reduced testing environment
• Course note-taker (student volunteer)
• Books in an alternate format when available
• Use of the digital reader (in Miller Library Writing Center) to read texts or exams
• Preferential seating
• Use of assistive technologies
• Use of service animal

Is there a grievance procedure if I feel I am not receiving my approved accommodations?

Yes, grievances concerning accommodation and appeal (if accommodation has been denied) can be filed with Linda Barrett at [email protected] or (620) 242-0510. If grievances cannot be mediated through these means, they can be filed with the Chief Academic Officer.

Can my parents contact the Accessibility Services staff to ask about my academic progress?

Our staff believes that the best source of information concerning a student’s disability is the student. Release of any specific information concerning disability, academic progress, or accommodation plan will not be discussed with parents without a signed consent form. This form can be signed by the student at the time of request for services (at the initial confidential meeting) or anytime thereafter.

How do I arrange to use my accommodations?

To receive most services, the student must work directly with faculty and academic disability services to arrange accommodation. When your request for accommodation has been approved, you will be given a letter specifying your approved accommodations and the process necessary to arrange each accommodation. You should make an appointment to share this letter and discuss your accommodation plan with the professor of any of your courses for which you would like accommodation. Please remember that in college (unlike in high school), the students are expected to be self-advocates and managers of the accommodation process.