Policy 2.05

Part 1. Purpose

This policy establishes Minneapolis College’s accessibility and accommodations statement and identifies accessibility and accommodations standards and guidelines for the Minneapolis College community.

This policy and its procedure are intended to supplement relevant federal or state laws, rules, or regulations; Minnesota State system policies, procedures, or other guidelines; and bargaining unit agreements or plans. This policy and its procedure shall not supersede these regulatory authorities.

Students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors are encouraged to identify potential accessibility needs, issues, or concerns regarding programs, services, and activities at Minneapolis College and bring them to the attention of the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC).

Part 2. Accessibility and Accommodations Statement

Minneapolis College holds equity and inclusion in high regard. Minneapolis College values diverse perspectives and experiences and works to foster appreciation and respect to ensure all students, faculty, and staff feel welcome. 

College-wide accessibility is integral to creating an inclusive environment for all at the College. Ensuring an accessible environment is the shared responsibility of all individuals affiliated with Minneapolis College including, but not limited to, its students, employees, volunteers, and agents.

Minneapolis College is committed to ensuring its programs, services, and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities through its compliance with state and federal laws. The College recognizes that individuals with disabilities may need accommodations to have equally effective opportunities to participate in or benefit from its programs, services, and activities.

Minneapolis College works to ensure all programs, services, and activities are accessible by:

• Recognizing that disabilities are socially and culturally constructed and that individuals with disabilities are a vital element to the diverse campus community.
• Striving to empower students to be as independent as possible by facilitating an interactive process of creating a universally accessible campus.
• Believing equal access is the shared responsibility of everyone: faculty, staff, and students alike.

Part 3. Definitions

The following definitions are used in this policy and its supporting procedure:

Individual with a Disability: Defined by Minnesota State Board of Trustees Policy 1B.4 Access and Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities, Part 2., Subpart A.  
Qualified Individual: Defined by Minnesota State Board of Trustees Policy 1B.4 Access and Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities, Part 2., Subpart B.
Reasonable Accommodations: Described by Minnesota State Board of Trustees Policy 1B.4 Access and Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities, Part 5.  
Personal Devices and Services: As defined by Minnesota State Board of Trustees Policy 1B.4 Access and Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities, Part 2., Subpart C.

Part 4: Accessibility Standards Used by the College

Minneapolis College commits to adhere to the following accessibility standards:

Minnesota State Board Policy 1B.4 Access and Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
This is the Minnesota State system’s policy regarding access and accommodations. It applies to all system institutions, including Minneapolis College. All college policies, procedures, and processes align with this policy.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability and mandates equitable and timely access to programs, services, and activities for individuals with disabilities.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with the ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, open new opportunities for people with disabilities, and encourage the development of technologies that will help achieve these goals.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (“WCAG”) refers to standards for web content accessibility that have been developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (“W3C”). State entities must adhere to WCAG version 2.1 Level AA according to the Minnesota State Accessibility Standard.

Part 5: Standards and Expectations

Subpart A: Marketing and Promotional Materials

The College shall design marketing and promotional materials in an accessible manner and, when relevant, include accessibility statements endorsed by the ARC. Some marketing materials may be excluded from this requirement due to size (such as banners and business cards). In these instances, the College will attempt to design these materials in an as accessible manner as possible.

Subpart B: Procurement

All products purchased by Minneapolis College must be Section 508 compliant and meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. The ARC can support procurement efforts, as requested, to assist in ensuring compliance with this standard.

Subpart C: Contract Renewal

Upon renewal of pertinent existing contracts, consultation with the ARC will take place. See “Part 6, Subpart B: Legacy ICT for exceptions.

Subpart D: Design, Planning, and Implementation

Accessibility confirmation in collaboration with the ARC throughout all aspects of design, planning, and implementation phases to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.

Subpart D: Web/Online Content

The College shall ensure its website and relevant web-based platforms meet current WCAG standards. When platforms, such as the learning management system, allow for customization, the College will assist and support employees to promote accessibility when using those customizations.

Part 6: Exceptions

Subpart A: Undue Hardship

The ADA establishes an exception for undue hardship. This is only applicable to a material, service, product, activity, event, space, or purchase that cannot be made accessible without imposing significant difficulty or expense on Minneapolis College.

If an exception for undue hardship is identified, a written explanation must be developed in collaboration with the ARC explaining the basis for the decision including why and to what extent conformance to specific requirements would result in an undue hardship on Minneapolis College. The ARC is charged with making the final determination as to whether conformance to specific requirements of the accessibility standards would impose an undue hardship on the college community.

Subpart B: Legacy Information Communications Technology (ICT)

Minneapolis College adheres to Section 508 E202.2 Legacy ICT General Exception which indicates: Any component or portion of existing ICT that complies with an earlier standard issued pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended (as republished in Appendix D) and that has not been altered on or after January 18, 2018, shall not be required to be modified to conform to the Revised 508 Standards.

Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Student Affairs and Vice President of Human Resources and Workforce Equity

Date of Adoption: 7/1/1999

Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): N/A

Date Last Reviewed: 7/31/2024

History and Subject of Revisions: 7/31/2024 (Comprehensive Review. Substantial revisions across all accessibility and accommodations policies and procedures to align them and ensure cohesion. Updated Purpose, updated accessibility and accommodations statement and combined statement content from other related policies to this policy, updated definitions to refer to system policy source definitions, Updated standards information, moved the standards and expectations part into this policy from 4.09 and updated), 8/7/2007, 7/1/1999 (adopted, not verified)

Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law):  Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; WCAG 2.0 Level AA; MN.IT Minnesota State Accessibility Standard; ADA Title II Regulations; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Minn State Board Policy 1B.4 Access and Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities; Federal definition of disability § 35.108; Minnesota Statute 135A.16; Minnesota Statute 363A.03