Policy
& procedural guidelines for individuals covered by the mandates set forth
in the ADA and Section 504 All
members of the college community are required by federal law to be aware of,
and adhere to the basic policies and procedures pertaining to the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act..
Questions and comments should be directed to the SRC, where a copy of the
entire policy and procedural handbook is available upon request.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(In order of appearance)
I. Specialized Resource Center - Overview
II. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability Statement
III. Policy on Confidentiality
IV. Policy on Diagnostic Testing
V. Criteria for LD, ADHD & Psychiatric Documentation
VI. Procedural Guidelines for Alternative Testing & Classroom Adjustments
VII. Procedural Guidelines for Note Takers, Readers & Scribes
VIII. Procedural Guidelines Regarding the Acquisition of Adaptive Technology
IX. Request for Academic Adjustment/Auxiliary Aid Form
X. Policy for Requesting a Course Substitution
XI. Faculty Tips for Securing a Note Taker
XII. Grievance Procedures
XIII. Special Housing Accommodations
Anne Vaccaro
Director
Miguel Hall/Room 301B
(718) 862-7409
email: anne.vaccaro@manhattan.edu
TDD (718) 862-7885
FAX (718) 862-7808
SRC voice board: 718-862-7710
{important information updated throughout the week}
The Specialized Resource Center (SRC) serves all students with special needs including individuals with temporary disabilities, such as those resulting from injury or surgery. The SRC is a resource for students, faculty and the college at large. Use of services is voluntary and strictly confidential.
The mission of the center is to ensure educational opportunity for all students with special needs by providing access to full participation in all aspects of campus life. Assisting students in arranging individualized support services accomplish this.
A sampling of auxiliary aids and/or academic adjustments offered by the SRC for students providing appropriate documentation based on their individual needs without a fee include:
Priority registration
Priority seating
Alternative testing environments
Readers, note takers and scribes
Access to adaptive technology: - electronic spell checkers - word processors - tape recorders - calculators - print enlarger
Liaison with faculty and other college departments
Advocacy/self-advocacy information
The SRC discloses education records without a student's prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using University employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University.
There will be no diagnostic testing administered within the SRC. We are not
in control of other departments, and thus, cannot guarantee that other groups,
such as the
***prior to any academic adjustment/auxiliary aid, appropriate documentation must be filed with the SRC
Any student seeking an exemption from the time frames outlined below regarding various academic adjustments/auxiliary aids must contact the SRC.
TESTING ADJUSTMENTS
A. Extended time (no reader or scribe needed): The student must register with the SRC in advance of any exam to be taken under the auspices of the SRC. It is the student's responsibility to make certain: (1) the professor is made aware of all modifications two weeks in advance, (2) the professor knows the exact date and time of your alternative testing and the exams are to be delivered to the SRC, (3) sign-in utilizing the testing log book located in the SRC office at least one day in advance of the exam, and (4) check the SRC voice board, 718-862-7710, for dates in which there will be no testing within the SRC
B. Extended time with reader and/or scribe:
Follow above guidelines (subsection "A"), except student must speak with an SRC representative along with utilizing the testing log in advance of any exam.
C. Use of adaptive technological equipment:
Follow above guidelines (subsection "B").
CLASSROOM ADJUSTMENTS (except for alternative text & adaptive technology)
A. Students are responsible for monitoring the delivery of academic adjustments, and contacting the SRC if services are not up to par.
B. Students are responsible for contacting the SRC if they do not understand the "Americans with Disabilities Grievance Procedure" and for following these procedural guidelines.
C. Students may be asked to supply the SRC with either updated or ancillary testing, prior to rendering a decision regarding an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid.
BOOKS ON TAPE:
Important
Information for
01. Students needing alternative text, not available via the RFB&D or other sources, must contact the SRC as soon as possible in order to leave time for scanning the text.
02. Go to the bookstore after registering for your classes each term, and request a booklist for each class.
03. You will need the following information for each book:
* title
* author
* publisher
* year of publication & edition (ex. 4th edition)
* ISBN number if available
04. Once you have this information, contact the RFB&D
05. If the books you have requested will not be available in time for the start of the semester, contact the SRC and we will provide you with a reader, until the books arrive, providing you ordered your books in a timely manner.
06. Please realize the
books-on-tape will be registered with the RFB&D under your name (not
07. It is your
responsibility to contact the RFB&D as soon as possible following
registration, and/or to contact the SRC if you experience any problems with
this procedure.
ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY:
All adaptive technology will be handled by the SRC. Students must contact SRC two weeks prior to needing any of the adaptive technological pieces.
PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES FOR NOTE TAKERS READERS & SCRIBES
NOTE TAKERS:
A. If a note taker registers with the SRC, he/she will receive $75 per course/per semester (In order to participate in the priority registration process, the note taker's account must be completely clear of any bursar's hold. It is the note taker's responsibility to ensure his/her account is clear).
B. Note takers will be responsible for locating a back-up note taker in the event they are not able to attend class, and will have their contracts terminated upon the fourth absence from class.
C. Note takers will be responsible for delivering the notes to the student using a copy machine (available in Miguel 300 or a Dean’s office) by the end of the school day in which class was held.
D. Note takers' notes for the first three classes may be reviewed by the professor, and if the notes do not meet the professor's standards, the note taker contract will be terminated.
E. Note takers must possess the following prerequisite criteria:
1. proficiency in written language skills which may include:
a. grades in collegiate English course work
b. recommendation from a faculty member
c. writing sample as prescribed by the SRC
2. completion of all prerequisite course work necessary for the class
3. legible handwriting as determined by the SRC
4. working telephone number (to be filed with the SRC)
READERS & SCRIBES:
A. Readers and scribes (R & S) will be paid the standard student-aide
hourly rate (may change annually) as determined by
B. R & S are responsible for contacting the SRC no later than twenty-four hours prior to an appointment if they are unable to attend a session, and will have their contract terminated upon the third canceled appointment.
C. R & S' first three assignments/tests will be reviewed by the professor, and if the work does not meet the professor's standards, the R & S contract will be terminated.
D. Scribes must possess the criteria listed under "Note Taker section F."
E. Readers must possess the criteria listed under "Note Taker section F," with the following changes:
* in all phases of section F replace written/legible handwriting, with oral reading
* * * * * * *
STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Students must inform the SRC two weeks prior to the start of a note taker (students should place their requests for note takers immediately after receiving their finalized course schedule from the Registrar's office).
B. For the lead time when using a reader or scribe for testing, please see "Alternative Testing & Classroom Adjustments."
C. Students are responsible for monitoring the quality of the work presented by readers, scribes and note takers, and should immediately contact the SRC if problems arise.
D. Students requesting a reader or scribe for work other than testing must inform the SRC two weeks in advance of each session (multiple or semester long appointments may be made). Students needing an exception to this waiting period, please contact the SRC.
I. The narrow band of specialties often associated with many of the hard and software manufacturers of adaptive equipment may at times leave only a single vendor offering a specific product. If this is the case, it must be documented by contacting a minimum of two other vendors within the same field.
II. All purchases are subject to the parameters set forth by the Business Manager.
III. Whenever possible, both hard and software will be placed within an integrated setting, such as one of the computer labs on campus.
IV. Whenever possible, both hard and software will be available to the
V. All items purchased for use by SRC students are the property of
REQUEST FOR ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT/AUXILIARY AID FORM
SPECIALIZED
Miguel Hall Room
300 / ext. 7101 or 7409 / FAX ext. 7808
ACADEMIC
ADJUSTMENT/AUXILIARY AID FORM
FACULTY:
Academic adjustments/auxiliary aids should not alter the integrity of your
curricular components. The SRC counts on your input to maintain its
efficacy, regarding the SRC’s mandate to create an environment built on equal
access for all students. The best plan of action is typically created
during office hours, with a faculty member and student in attendance, without
the intervention of the SRC; think of the academic adjustments/auxiliary aids
on this form as guideposts. ALL ADJUSTMENTS/AIDS ARE FOR THE CLASS AND
SEMESTER SPECIFIED BELOW. PLEASE DO NOT CARRY OVER ADJUSTMENTS/AIDS TO
OTHER CLASSES OR SEMESTERS.
PROFESSOR___________________________________________________________
COURSE_______________________________________________________________
DATE
______________________________ SEMESTER_______________________
The
aforementioned student has provided documentation of a disability which may
affect his or her performance in your class. In accordance with federal
laws, Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), the following auxiliary aids and/or academic
adjustments are requested:
____ extended time (2X) for tests/quizzes ____ dictionary or spell checker
____ calculator ____ reader
____ scribe ____ note taker
____ word processor
____ other_____________________________________________________________
____
other_____________________________________________________________
* * * * * *
I
understand the need to grant faculty two weeks notice for academic adjustments
and auxiliary aids. Otherwise, it is not guaranteed the academic adjustments
and auxiliary aids will be received on a timely basis.
_______________________________
___________________
student
signature
date
I
understand and agree with the academic adjustment(s)/auxiliary aid(s) listed
above. I am aware that it is my responsibility to contact the SRC if
there are any problems or concerns with the implementation of these items.
_______________________________
___________________
student signature date
POLICY FOR STUDENTS REQUESTING A COURSE SUBSTITUTION
01. Student submits necessary documentation supporting diagnosis to the Specialized Resource Center (SRC).
02. Student must forward a letter to the SRC containing the following information:
A. Specific course to be substituted
B. Explanation as to how the student's needs impact the course in question
03 The SRC determines if there is a need for further documentation
04. The SRC contacts the dean of the school in which the student is registered. As a result of this collaboration, one of the following possibilities may be rendered:
A. Course substitution granted
B. Course must be attempted with adjustments clearly delineated
C. Course must be attempted with no adjustments deemed necessary
A member of the SRC will explain the decision rendered to the student
05. Decisions will be determined within twenty-five school days, after receipt of all material required by the SRC from the student
06. The student may appeal the decision by following the grievance procedure.
Please follow these steps, if you have difficulty securing a note taker:
01. A brief announcement at the start/conclusion of class, during the first two weeks of class or until a note taker is secured, including:
A. Rationale - these notes are for students possessing a documented special need
B. Compensation - note taker will receive $75 per class/term.,
C. There are no costs associated with copying notes.
02. If a note taker does not come to the SRC office prior to the conclusion of the second week of class, two options are available : A. Faculty members may distribute their notes to the SRC student, or
B. The SRC student is entitled to have tests and/or assignments, based on class notes, postponed until the SRC student receives class notes.
Complaints should be addressed to the Director of the
1. A complaint should be filed in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describing the alleged violation of the regulations.
2. A complaint should be filed within 10 workdays after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation where a specific incident or occurrence happens.
3. An investigation conducted by the ADA Coordinator, as may be appropriate, shall follow the filing of a complaint. The investigation shall be informal but thorough, and afford all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.
4. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the ADA Coordinator and forwarded to the complainant no later than 10 workdays after its filing.
5. The
6. The complainant can request a reconsideration of the case in instances of
dissatisfaction with the resolution. The request for reconsideration should be
made within 10 workdays to the College's EEO/AA Officer, Ms. Vicki Cowan who
will be responsible for convening the
7. If a grievance is against the ADA Coordinator, the ADA Grievance Procedure is followed except the complaint should be filed with the College's EEO/AA Officer and the request for reconsideration should be filed with the President.
8. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by nor shall the use of this procedure be a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
9. These rules shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of
interested persons, to meet appropriate due process standards, and to assure
that
Requests for specialized housing arrangements should include the following information: Disability diagnosis; tests/evaluations (including dates and results); history of functional issues; present functional issues, and recommendations for accommodations. Please make certain to provide a continuum of possibilities when applicable. Final decisions concerning specialized housing accommodations may include specialists such as the school's clinical psychologist, nurse and physician.
Revised 07/07
Specialized Resource
Center, Manhattan College