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Rights, Responsibilities & Advocacy

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Introduction

Students with disabilities who have accessibility concerns or wish to request reasonable accommodations are responsible for contacting the Accessibility Resource Center.

Prior planning is key to ensuring your accessibility concerns or disability-related barriers are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Your disability information is maintained separate from your academic record, in compliance with federal and state data practice laws. You are responsible for providing the Accessibility Resource Center with the appropriate disability documentation as it relates to your disability and the accommodations you are requesting.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College may not treat qualified individuals with a documented disability differently from individuals without disabilities or have a policy that disparately impacts individuals with disabilities.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College complies with state and federal laws by providing access to its programs and services through reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with documented disabilities to allow them to effectively participate in those programs, services, and activities.

Reasonable accommodations are utilized to "level the playing field" but should not lower the bar or minimize performance expectations.

Responsibilities of the Student

The student has the responsibility to do the following:

  • Request accommodations through the Accessibility Resource Center prior to each semester or prior to needing the accommodations
  • Notify the Accessibility Resource Center of any changes in registration and/or needed accommodations
  • Request and use approved accommodations in a responsible and timely manner
  • If necessary, provide attendant care for personal needs while on campus
  • Report any grievances in a timely manner
  • Meet the same essential academic requirements as all other students on campus
  • Follow the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Student Code of Conduct
  • Follow all program and Minneapolis Community and Technical College policies and procedures

Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is critical to success in higher education. Due to privacy laws, colleges and universities are restricted from seeking out students with disabilities. You are responsible for requesting the services you believe you need; the college or university does not provide accommodations until you ask. The ability to advocate will benefit you in your life and career.

  • Know yourself and your disability
    Before you can advocate for yourself, you need to know how to talk about your disability in a way that other people will understand.
  • Know your rights and responsibilities
    The college or university must provide services that will allow you an equal opportunity to access and participate in school activities. View Disability Law for information about the College's legal responsibilities.
  • Know where to go for help
    An important part of being successful in college is knowing when you need help and where to find it. Writing down the names and phone numbers of the people on campus who can help you, including staff at the Accessibility Resource Center, is a good idea.
  • Take action
    Develop a plan for communicating your needs. Consider practicing before talking with your instructors. You might practice explaining to a counselor or a trusted friend the accommodations you believe you will need.

Responsibilities of the Accessibility Resource Center

The Accessibility Resource Center has the responsibility to do the following:

  • Determine if a student is eligible to receive reasonable accommodations and/or modifications and/or other support services
  • Maintain student documentation from appropriate professionals verifying disability. This is the required proof of eligibility
  • Respect individual confidentiality and maintain professional standards
  • Provide the most appropriate accommodations in the classroom and for test taking
  • Assist students in obtaining access to specific support services, such as tutoring and counseling
  • Provide support and guidance to faculty members regarding accommodations
  • Provide education to faculty and staff regarding campus commitment to implementing law and policy which ensures nondiscrimination for people with disabilities.

Responsibilities of Faculty

The Minneapolis Community and Technical College faculty have the responsibility to do the following:

  • Follow all ARC approved accommodations in a fair, nonjudgmental, and timely manner
  • Maintain students’ right to privacy concerning the disability and any accommodations
  • Provide access to course materials to all students at the same time, regardless of required format