PCC Policy for Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability

Introduction

Portland Community College (PCC) provides quality education in an atmosphere that encourages the full realization of each individual's potential. The college offers students of all ages, races, cultures, and economic levels opportunities for personal growth and attainment of their goals.

To achieve its mission PCC offers accessible and affordable education to the residents of its 1,500 square mile district and to residents of its service districts. As a public, comprehensive, post-secondary institution, this multi-campus college offers lower division college transfer programs, occupational and technical programs, basic skills education, and community education programs. Partnerships with business, industry, labor, educational institutions, and public sector agencies provide training opportunities for the local work force and promote economic development.

Through effective teaching and supportive student services, PCC prepares students for success as individuals, as members of a democratic society, and as citizens of a rapidly changing world.

One of the guiding principles underlying this mission is that diversity is the key to success. PCC is committed to equal opportunity for men and women without regard to race, ethnicity, age, religious belief, disability, or sexual orientation.

People with disabilities must be full members of the educational community. For this to occur, every member of the College community must accept responsibility for being aware of and responsive to the particular needs of people with disabilities. The College recognizes that traditional methods, programs, and services may not accommodate the needs of some persons with disabilities. The policy and guidelines set forth in this document are intended to provide direction in ending discrimination and in assuring reasonable accommodation.

Policy Statement

It is the policy of PCC to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and other applicable federal and state regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The Rehabilitation Act requires that no qualified person shall, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the College. Each qualified person shall receive reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to employment, educational opportunities, programs and activities, in the most appropriate integrated setting.

Program Accessibility

General

  • PCC is committed to affording equal opportunity to persons with disabilities by providing access to its programs, activities, and services.
  • It is the responsibility of the prospective enrollee to make known, in a timely manner, the need for any special accommodation or auxiliary aids.

Existing Facilities

Each employment opportunity, program, or activity should be readily accessible to qualified persons with disabilities through reasonable accommodations including but not limited to:

  1. redesign of equipment and/or facility after individual case review;
  2. provision of appropriate signage;
  3. reassignment of classes, staff, or services to accessible buildings; and
  4. delivery of advisory, and support services at accessible sites in compliance with ADA and Uniform Building Codes. Remodeling projects must be consistent with the Uniform Building Code as amended by the State of Oregon or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, whichever governs the particular construction project.

New Construction

Facilities, or parts of facilities, constructed for the use of PCC must be designed and built so as to be readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. New construction must be planned in accordance with the Uniform Building Code as amended by the State of Oregon or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, whichever governs the particular construction project.

During the planning stages of new construction, the executive body in charge of the construction project shall have responsibility for seeking input from the ADA Advisory committee, Office for Students with Disabilities, and persons with disabilities regarding accessibility of any new building.

Off-Campus Programming

Given the fact that PCC holds classes, programs, or activities in private facilities, PCC shall take steps to use facilities which are accessible. Contractual or lease agreements shall reflect efforts to ensure accessibility.

Educational Programs and Activities

General

Otherwise qualified persons may not, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, or other educational program or activity.

Students may not, on the basis of disability, be counseled toward more restrictive career objectives or major study areas than are non-disabled persons with similar interests and abilities.

Admissions and Enrollment

The number or proportion of persons with disabilities who will be admitted or enrolled may not be limited solely on the basis of disability.

Inquiries as to whether applicants for admission and registration are disabled may not be made except for purposes of providing reasonable accommodation and for Affirmative Action purposes.

It is the responsibility of the enrollee to make special needs known in a timely manner, in advance of any course, workshop, program or activity for which reasonable accommodation is sought. Confidential post-admission inquiry on behalf of PCC regarding disabilities that may require reasonable accommodation are permissible.

Admission and Placement Tests

Admissions and placement tests that are administered by PCC shall meet the following criteria:

  1. Tests shall be selected and administered so as best to ensure that the test results reflect the applicant's aptitude, achievement level, or mastery of knowledge rather than reflecting the applicant's disability (except where those skills are the factors that the test purports to measure).
  2. Depending upon the needs of the student, untimed tests will be provided when such accommodation is reasonable.
  3. Persons with disabilities shall have the same reasonably regular access to admissions and placement tests as do all other persons.
  4. If testing accommodations are necessary, it is the responsibility of the individual taking the test to make special needs known before the specified test registration deadline. Students must deliver appropriate documentation of disability to Office for Students with Disabilities so that testing accommodations can be determined.
  5. Tests shall be administered in facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Program Admissions
  1. Program pre-admission inquiries by PCC staff regarding a disability are prohibited.
  2. Program application forms used by individual departments must be reviewed and approved by the ADA advisory committee.
  3. Students needing special accommodations for departmental admission testing must contact the Office for Students with Disabilities 4 weeks prior to the scheduled testing date. Students must provide appropriate documentation of disability to determine testing accommodations needed.

Academic Adjustment

Academic and program requirements shall be modified, as necessary, to ensure that they do not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities. These modifications should not affect the substance of the educational programs nor compromise educational standards.

Modifications may include, but are not limited to:

  • length of time permitted for completion of degree requirements; and
  • substitution or waiver of specific courses required for the completion of degrees; and
  • adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted.

Academic and performance requirements that are essential to programs of instruction or to any directly related licensing requirements are not regarded as discriminatory.

Should any student with a disability have academic difficulty related to her/his disability, the College may authorize a "withdrawal" from a class. Additionally, the College may reinstate or allow a student with a disability to remain on academic probation for longer than the "standard" period or authorize dropping classes beyond the deadline without a failing grade.

Examinations and Evaluations

Examinations or other procedures of evaluating students' academic achievement should be adapted to permit evaluating the achievement of students who have a disability; the results of the evaluation must represent the student's mastery of knowledge rather than reflecting the disability.

It is the students' responsibility to request test accommodation in a timely manner for the program or course in accordance with institutional procedures.

Testing accommodation may include but need not be limited to:

  1. enlarged materials
  2. oral test;
  3. tape recorded test;
  4. extended time, depending on the documented need of the student;
  5. reader;
  6. preferential seating;
  7. alternate format (black/white copy);
  8. alternate style (essay instead of multiple choice)
  9. transcriber;
  10. computer-assisted;
  11. Brailled material;
  12. take-home material; and
  13. appropriate testing environment.

Academic Support Services

In order to provide reasonable accommodation, auxiliary aids shall be available for students with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; the types of services that may be available include:

  1. registration assistance;
  2. referral to appropriate on or off campus resources, services, or agencies;
  3. reader services;
  4. notetaker services;
  5. interpreter services;
  6. arrangements for specialized auxiliary aids;
  7. supplemental orientation;
  8. tutorial services;
  9. writer services;
  10. test-proctoring

As long as no qualified person with a disability is excluded from a program because of the lack of a necessary and reasonable service, such support need not be available at all times.

It is the responsibility of the individual to request the necessary accommodation or auxiliary aid at least 3 weeks before classes, or programs begin.

Should additional needs arise during the academic training period, request deadlines for accommodations shall follow established procedures.

Prohibitions against the use of tape recorders or Braillers in classrooms, or guide dogs in campus buildings, or other rules that have the effect of limiting the participation of qualified students in education programs or activities, may not be imposed.

Students or participants in PCC programs or activities may be required to sign an agreement that they will not release tape recordings or transcriptions of lectures, or otherwise hinder the ability of a professor or instructor to obtain a copyright.

Physical Education, Athletics, Intramurals & Recreational Sports

Students with a disability shall not be excused from physical educational requirements unless participation is medically contraindicated or appropriate modifications are not possible.

Qualified students with disabilities or participants in College programs or activities shall be provided with an equal opportunity to participate in physical education courses, intercollegiate and intramural athletics, or recreational opportunities.

Students who cannot participate in regularly offered physical education courses as well as those who cannot compete in athletic or intramural programs due to disability may be offered physical education and athletic or intramural activities that are separate or different, provided that the programs and activities are operated in the most integrated setting appropriate. If reasonable accommodation is not possible in a required course, a substitution or a waiver shall be available.

Registration

All students with disabilities receiving services from PCC are encouraged to participate in early registration, when to do so would provide reasonable accommodation. The guidelines for early registration are as follows:

  1. Classes shall be architecturally accessible. If a class is deemed inaccessible, then other arrangements shall be made such as relocating the class.
  2. With appropriate authorization from the Office for Students with Disabilities, early registration shall be available to accommodate special needs.
  3. The Registrar shall assist students with special needs in the registration process.
  4. When a student is forced to withdraw due to a documented medical condition, the college will provide full tuition refund.

Financial Aid

PCC shall provide financial assistance to students with disabilities in the same manner it is provided to non-disabled students. Every effort shall be made to assure that financial aid awards recognize the special needs of students with disabilities, including the possible need for additional budget allowances for documented expenses related to his or her disability.

Student Employment

PCC shall provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified students seeking employment. In addition the College is committed to employing, and advancing in employment, people with disabilities.

Advising, Counseling, and Placement Services

PCC is committed to helping students with disabilities achieve their academic and personal goals. Students with disabilities are encouraged to seek advice on setting and working toward career goals. Students with disabilities shall not be counseled or advised toward more restrictive career opportunities than are non-disabled students with similar interests and abilities.

Social Organizations

All college recognized activities will be fully accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring organization to provide reasonable accommodations. The College shall deny or withdraw recognition of or assistance to any extracurricular activity and/or campus organization that discriminates against individuals based on their disability.

Funding for Auxiliary Aids

In order to provide equal access to educational opportunities for disabled students, PCC is responsible for ensuring that no student is denied benefits or excluded from participation in a program because of the absence of auxiliary aids as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. "Auxiliary aids" include such items as tape-recorded texts, interpreters, classroom equipment and other services, and actions which make the educational process accessible to students with disabilities.

Students may be provided auxiliary aids as a form of reasonable accommodation by the College. The College is not required to provide personal attendants or personally prescribed devices. The appropriate number and type of aids shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. Discretionary auxiliary aids may be provided to the extent that funding allows.

The Director of Office for Students with Disabilities shall maintain records of the numbers of persons requiring auxiliary aids, types of disabilities for which such aids were provided, the specific aids actually given, and associated costs. Accumulation of these data will enable the institution to budget appropriately for anticipated needs.

Portions of this policy and guidelines are modified from the "University of Wisconsin System Administration, Policy and Guidelines Applying to Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability", and Oregon State University's "Policy and Guidelines for Nondiscrimination on the basis of Disability".