Questions or comments may be directed to the Webmaster. Site Map
© The University of Montana - Western.
| Disability Services |
| Disability Services Handbook |
| Grievances & Appeals |
| Documentation Guidelines |
| Talk To Us |
| Transitioning from High School? |
| Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan |
| Privacy Rights |
| Contact Us |
Disability Services Handbook
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESThe University of Montana - Western
IntroductionEquality of Access The University of Montana - Western is committed to achieving equal educational opportunity and full participation for persons with disabilities. It is Western's policy that no qualified person be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination with regard to any University program, activity, internship, practicum, or class. This policy derives from Western's commitment to nondiscrimination for all persons in employment, access to facilities, student programs, activities, and services. UM-Western attempts to maintain the highest standards possible. Feedback regarding our services is obtained each year from students who utilize them. Federal Laws The University of Montana - Western policy is consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which states that no recipient of federal financial assistance may discriminate against a qualified handicapped person solely by the reason of handicap. This policy is also consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The policies and procedures that follow are the means by which faculty, staff, and students of The University of Montana - Western endorse and will apply the conditions of these laws as they have been interpreted for higher education. Go to top Section I: Accessibility and Equal Opportunity
Recruitment, Admissions & Registration UM-Western seeks a diversity in its student body that reflects our pluralistic society. Qualified persons may not, on the basis of disability, be denied admission to, enrollment in, or participation in University programs and activities, or be discriminated against in admissions or recruitment. The number or proportion of persons admitted will not be limited on the basis of disability. Financial Aid UM-Western shall not provide less financial assistance to any disabled students based on disabilities, limit their eligibility for assistance, or otherwise discriminate against them. Based on requests and supporting information provided by students to financial aid programs, aid awards will recognize the particular needs of students with disabilities, including possible need for reducing credit loads or extending time allowed to complete graduation requirements. These accommodations will be made within the limits prescribed by state and federal regulations. Advising and Placement Services Academic advising and placement services shall be available in accessible settings without discrimination on the basis of disability. Qualified students with disabilities shall not be counseled or advised towards more restrictive career objectives than are non-disabled students with similar interests and abilities. This does not preclude providing factual information about licensing and certification requirements that may present obstacles to persons with disabilities in their pursuit of particular careers. Students should discuss requests to reduce credit loads with their academic advisors and the Student Life Office. Support Services No qualified student with a disability may be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or be otherwise discriminated against in a UM-Western program or activity because of the absence of educational support services. Support services may include academic advising, referrals for counseling, tutorial programs, auxiliary aids, and appropriate academic adjustments. The accommodations may include, but shall not be limited to:
At this time, books-on-audio are provided free of charge through institutional membership with Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). Most universities charge a fee for this service due to the high cost of maintaining books-on-tape. Should the number of students utilizing this service increase beyond the scope of UM-Western's support, a fee will be implemented. Students using books-on-tape are required to submit documentation from a medical doctor that they have a reading impairment. Contracts: A student who has made arrangements for services and does not attend the designated class, session, or private test proctoring appointment without proper notification must make an appointment with the Disability Services Coordinator to have services reinstated. Timely Requests of Services: As long as no qualified person with a disability is excluded from a program because of a lack of the appropriate service, such support need not be on hand at all times. In order to ensure sufficient time to make provisions for appropriate auxiliary aids and other accommodations, it is the responsibility of the student to request the necessary accommodations or aids in a timely manner. Requests made less than four weeks before the start of classes may result in delay, substitution, or denial of accommodations. Discriminatory Rules Not Allowed: Prohibitions against the use of tape recorders, braille machinery, guide dogs, computer aids, or other such accommodations, or other such rules that have the effect of limiting participation of qualified students with disabilities will not be imposed. Students using these aids or encountering such rules should notify the Student Life Office. Go to top Section II: Coordination of Programs and Services
Student Life Office The Student Life Office in Davis Hall is responsible for the coordination of programs and services for qualified applicants for admission and enrolled students with disabilities. Responsibilities of the Student & Documentation of a Disability Students with disabilities must make the initial notification to the Student Life Office and the Disability Services Coordinator that he/she has a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability. The student must provide appropriate documentation that describes the qualifying disability, the extent of that disability, and gives information on how the effects of the disability might be overcome through reasonable accommodation. Documents can include but are not limited to psychological assessment by qualified individuals, or medical assessment by qualified individuals. Documentation should:
The Process It is the goal of The University of Montana - Western to individually meet the needs of each student with a disability through the following: Initial Meeting: Upon receipt of disability documentation, the Disability Services Coordinator will contact the student to arrange a meeting to discuss reasonable accommodations. The student is welcome to bring a parent, guardian, significant other, or assistant to the meeting. For first year students, this meeting occurs during summer orientation. The meeting is designed to help the student be successful in his/her course work at UM-Western. The Disability Services Coordinator will help guide the student in making decisions regarding classes and needed accommodations. Information to Faculty: If the student engages the services offered, his/her instructors will be notified by the Student Life Office at the beginning of each semester. The student must then follow up with the individual faculty members to assure that they have received the request for accommodations and to determine specific arrangements. Semester Updates: Each student with a disability is required to make an appointment with the Student Life Office to reinstate services for the forthcoming semester. Modifications in the service program will be discussed and the student will sign an updated accommodation plan. This appointment should happen on or before the registration period for the forthcoming semester. The Student Life Office assumes that any student who does not make an appointment regarding services has decided not to employ such services. Other Considerations: Housing and dining accommodations, access to buildings, and student support groups are additional topics discussed in the meeting with the Disability Services Coordinator. Accommodations must be reasonable as to the extent of the law, including ADA and Section 504 provisions. When accommodations cannot be agreed upon between faculty, student, and administration, the Student Life Office will seek advice, input, and/or mediation from the University of Montana, Missoula campus. Confidentiality The University of Montana - Western protects each student's right to privacy, except as permitted by the student expressly for providing support services to that student. Information may not be released to anyone other than the student unless the student gives written consent to such. Record Keeping All information regarding a student's disability, as well as the information regarding his/her services, are kept in the Student Life Office. Only the Dean of Students and the Assistant to the Dean, or the Vice Chancellor or Chancellor in the absence of the Dean, may access these files without consent of the student. These files are not a part of the student's official academic record as represented on the transcript. Instructor's Requests & Mutual Participation In general, the student is encouraged to make timely and appropriate disclosures and to engage in appropriate and responsible levels of self-help in obtaining and arranging for accommodations. Because each disability presents unique needs and course requirements vary, each student must discuss requested course accommodations with the Student Life Office each semester. As well, coordination of services between the student and faculty is essential. Students or participants in University programs or activities may be required by certain instructors to sign an agreement that they will not release tape recordings or transcriptions of lectures, or otherwise hinder the ability of an instructor to obtain copyrights. Appeals About Policies or Procedures Any student who has a conflict with a staff member or with any of these procedures has a right to have his/her objections heard in a fair, logical, and orderly manner (i.e., with due process). The student may initiate an appeal by speaking with the Dean of Students or the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Go to top Section III: Academic AdjustmentsAcademic Requirements Academic requirements will be modified as necessary to ensure that they do not discriminate against qualified applicants or currently enrolled students with disabilities. Academic requirements that are essential to programs of instruction are not considered discriminatory and must remain a part of the work needed for successful completion of the degree. Appeals regarding "how essential" each requirement is may be directed to the Academic Standards Committee. Modifications shall not affect the substance of the educational programs or compromise the educational standards of the University. Modifications may include changes in length of time permitted for the completion of degrees and certificates (including credit load), substitution of courses required for completion of degrees and certificates, and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted. Accommodations may not fundamentally alter the curriculum or undermine the intent of higher education or its associated degrees. Academic accommodations such as course waivers or substitutions should be requested by the student through his/her advisor and the process outlined by the Registrar's Office. Requests may be forwarded to the Academic Admissions and Standards Committee. The Student Life Office will not release information regarding a student's disability for this process unless written consent is provided by the student. Program Examinations and Evaluations Examinations and other procedures for evaluating students' academic achievement shall be adapted when necessary to permit evaluating the achievement of students with disabilities. The results of the evaluation must represent the student's achievement in the program or activity, rather than reflect the student's disability. These procedures will be consistent with state and federal guidelines. Go to top Section IV: Funding for Auxiliary AidsIn addition to providing accommodations needed to ensure access to educational opportunities, UM-Western is responsible for ensuring that no student with disability is denied benefits of or excluded from participation at UM-Western because of the absence of auxiliary aids. While funding for accommodations to ensure equal access is provided by UM-Western, funding for auxiliary aids is often the responsibility of state vocational rehabilitation agencies. For those auxiliary services likely to be funded by vocational rehabilitation centers, UM-Western may require the student to apply for aids through vocational rehabilitation services. Go to top Section V: Policies Pertaining to Interpreter ServicesLocal and national shortages of sign language interpreters make providing their service a serious concern. Real-time reporting by court stenographers requires sufficient lead time to make arrangements with companies that can provide such services. Students who believe that they may need sign language interpreting should notify the Student Life Office as soon as possible so to avoid a delay in services.Go to top Section VI: ContactsContact Information We look forward to working with you and hope you'll find our services to your benefit. Please feel free to contact: Nicole Hazelbaker, Assistant to the Dean of Studentsor Phone: 406-683-7900 Fax: 406-683-7570 E-mail: n_hazelbaker@Umwestern.edu 750 E. Cornell St. Dillon, MT 59725 Campus Location: Student Life Office, Davis Hall Development of this Document
|
|
Go To Top
|
||
|
|
Pages bearing the UM-Western logo conform to the campus web policy
Questions or comments may be directed to the Webmaster. Site Map © The University of Montana - Western. |
|