Voice (760)744-1150 Extension 2375 TTY (760)471-8506
| Student Handbook | |
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| 1140 West Mission Road, San Marcos, California 92069 Voice (760)744-1150 Extension 2375 TTY (760)471-8506 |
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The purpose of this handbook is to clarify for a student the college's guidelines and processes which might affect an individual with a disability in the college environment. The intent is to provide as much information as possible in a usable reference work. It is not intended to be read from cover to cover, but instead to be available for finding answers as your questions occur.
Both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 emphasize that colleges must assure program accessibility for persons with qualifying disabilities. A person with a disability is defined as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities. Examples of life activities which impact a person in a college environment include seeing, hearing, physically moving around campus, learning, etc..
Examples of reasonable accommodations that increase accessibility include auxiliary aids (assistive technology), services (alternate media, mobility assistance, learning disability assessment, etc.)and exam accommodations (extended-time, reader, technology access). The purpose of all these accommodations is to allow a person with a disability an equal opportunity to demonstrate his or her knowledge or ability.
The DRC Office was originally established in 1972 (as "Handicapped Services") to assure compliance with State and Federal requirements. To this day, an individual is not required to sign up with the DRC Office, as it is the College's responsibility to accommodate an individual, but the Office tries to simplify accommodation for the student and the college by housing a number of services in centralized locations. The DRC Office is staffed by professionals who specialize in disability-related issues (learning disabilities specialists and instructors, counselors, etc.) who advise and advocate for the student while maintaining the necessary level of confidentiality.
First, make sure that you have been determined to be eligible for the following. Adhere to the Service Provision Policy for each service.
In accordance with the Academic Accommodations Policy of Palomar College, and in recognition of the college's responsibility to accommodate students with disabilities as per the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Disability Resource Center (DRC) establishes policies for provision of services and accommodations to clarify processes and establish roles and responsibilities.
Failure to comply with established policies, procedures and/or timelines may result in delay of receiving services or termination of specific services (see DRC Suspension or Termination of Services Policy).
Eligibility for Services: Student will provide current (usually less than three years old) professional documentation of disability to DRC to support the disability claimed on the DRC Student Data Form and the services requested on the Educational Contract section of that form. Documentation should include a statement of functional limitations imposed by the disability. DRC, in consultation with the student, will identify and determine eligibility for services, educational limitations, accommodations and/or auxiliary aids. DRC will also maintain privacy of and restrict access to disability documentation.
Timeline for Student: Two weeks prior to provision of services.
Timeline for DRC: Two weeks after receipt of current disability documentation.
Continuing Student Service Requests: Student will consult with a DRC professional each semester to discuss accommodation and/or service needs and submit a Student Update form indicating service requests for each semester. Student will also submit on a semesterly basis an Express Request form for specific requests such as Accommodations Forms. DRC will respond in a timely manner to appropriate requests made on these forms.
Timeline for Student: Submit Student Update form two weeks prior to
provision of services. Submit Express Request form two school days before need
for Accommodations Form or other action.
Timeline for DRC: Provide approved service/accommodation within two weeks.
Perform Express Request action within three school days of submission of form.
Disclosure of Disabilities to Instructors/Staff: Student will inform his/her instructors about specific disabilities and discuss necessary accommodations. DRC will, upon student request, inform faculty/staff about functional and/or educational limitations and about recommended accommodations.
Timeline for Student: Within the first two weeks (or the first 20%)
of the course.
Timeline for DRC: Within three school days of specific request.
Access to Adaptive Technology: Student will use college adaptive equipment in a responsible manner and for work related to college activities. DRC will recommend, acquire, replace, repair and maintain adaptive technology on an ongoing basis to keep pace with technological enhancements. DRC will advise other components of the campus about adaptive technology necessary for access in their areas.
Timeline for Student: Student will request individually issued adaptive
equipment two weeks before the start of the semester/session. Student will return
equipment within two weeks after the end of the semester/session.
Timeline for DRC: DRC will respond to valid requests for adaptive equipment
within two weeks of request.
Learning Disability Assessment: Student will make available to DRC most recent testing results and/or documentation of history of special education services. If existing documentation is lacking in recency (within three years) or lacking in acceptable tests, the student will agree to be prioritized on a wait-list and reassessed to determine current eligibility. Students without documentation will agree to be placed on a wait-list for assessment. DRC will review previous assessment results to determine current eligibility. DRC will update assessments on a prioritized wait-list basis. DRC will wait-list other individuals without prior assessment information.
Timeline for Student: Student will provide learning disability assessment
results and/or documentation of special education history four weeks prior to
request for accommodations or services. Student will respond to assessment "call-in"
within two weeks of notification.
Timeline for DRC: DRC will review documentation to determine eligibility
for services or need for additional assessment within four weeks of submission.
Interpreting Services/Real-time Captioning: Student will inform DRC of each class time and location for which interpreting services/real-time captioning are required on a Student Update form. Special events (field trips, appointments, campus events, etc.) require that you submit an Interpreter Request form for each event. DRC will provide the most effective means for facilitating communication for each requested class or special event.
Timeline for Student: Notify Interpreter Coordinator via appropriate
form two weeks in advance for classes, three school days in advance for special
events. For absences, notify the Interpreter Coordinator 24 hours in advance
for planned absences, or as soon as possible for illness or emergency.
Timeline for DRC: Will provide qualified service providers by the commencement
of each class or special event for which we receive stipulated advance notification.
Service providers will wait 20 minutes in each scheduled class meeting if the
student is late.
Testing Accommodations: Student will provide each instructor with an Accommodations Form and will provide each instructor with a blue Testing Accommodation envelope for each exam. Student will reserve room space and special requirements (reader, scribe, alternate formats) in advance. Student will sign and follow the Test Accommodation Procedure and the Testing Room Regulations posted in designated testing accommodation rooms, as well as comply with the college's Student Code of Conduct. Student will take the exam on the scheduled day of exam unless an alternate day is approved by the instructor of the course. DRC will facilitate receipt and delivery of exams and provide space and approved services. DRC will follow instructions provided by the instructor and also communicate any unusual circumstances pertaining to the exam to the instructor.
Timeline for Student: Student will inform instructors of needs for test
accommodations within the first two weeks or 20% of the course. Student will
schedule rooms and approved services a minimum of three school days prior to
the exam. Student will deliver blue Test Envelope to instructor at least one
class meeting prior to the exam. Student will take exam on scheduled exam day
unless instructor approves otherwise.
Timeline for DRC: On a space available basis, DRC will provide room space
and support services on a reserved basis on the specified exam day. DRC will
return completed exams to instructors or designees within 24 hours of exam completion
(excluding weekends and holidays).
Mobility Services: Student will use the services and/or equipment in a responsible manner which does not endanger the student or others and which does not harm the equipment. Student will inform DRC of any changes in schedule or needs. Student will follow other guidelines specified in the Mobility Services Procedure which each eligible student must sign. DRC will provide reliable service and/or equipment to facilitate on-campus transportation needs during school or school-event hours. DRC will make unscheduled "taxi" or emergency runs only if and when equipment and/or manpower resources permit. Within the limits of its resources, DRC will endeavor to match the type of mobility service to the needs of the individual.
Timeline for Student: Student will request regularly scheduled mobility
service needs five school days before the commencement of each term. Student
will notify DRC in case of absence or temporary schedule change by 9:00 a.m.
of that day. Student will allow a 10 minute window of time for pickups.
Timeline for DRC: DRC will provide regularly scheduled mobility services
to qualified individuals. Drivers will wait 10 minutes past scheduled pickup
time when waiting does not impact transportation of other scheduled individuals.
Reader Services: Student will request an Accommodations Form for each class in which reader services are necessary. Student will use reader services in a responsible manner that does not compromise the ethics of the student or the reader. Student will sign a copy of Procedures for Requesting Readers and Guidelines for Using Reader Services. DRC will provide a qualified reader and appropriate space. DRC will, based on availability, provide a reader on the day of the exam and as close as possible to the scheduled hour of the exam.
Timeline for Student: student will notify DRC of reader request at least
three school days before each exam.
Timeline for DRC: DRC will schedule qualified readers and appropriate
space when notified three school days in advance of need.
Notetaking Services: Student will follow procedures included in the Notetaking Services Procedures. Student will request an Accommodations Form for each class in which a notetaker is requested. Student will attempt to find a notetaker within the class either on his/her own or with the assistance of the instructor. Student will inform the notetaker of the payment process (Notetaker Honorarium Procedures) and keep the notetaker supplied with NCR paper which is available at no cost at the DRC front office. DRC will assist the student in finding a notetaker if the student is unable to find one. DRC will supply the student or notetaker with NCR paper as necessary. DRC will pay for the services of the notetaker at the conclusion of each semester.
Timeline for Student: Student will request an Accommodation Form by
the first week of class.
Timeline for DRC: DRC will process a request for Accommodation Form within
48 hours of request. DRC will supply NCR paper on request for approved notetaking
situations.
Alternate Media (Audio-tape; Large Print; Braille; Tactile Graphics): Student will request an Accommodations Form from a specialist or counselor each semester. Student will submit this form to a member of the Alternate Media Team by the first week of classes each semester. Student will sign an Alternate Media Services (AMS) Contract and comply with its directives. DRC will comply with the AMS Contract and deliver alternate media according to the Conversion Completion Timelines.
Timeline for Student: Student will acquire and submit an approved Accommodations
Form each semester. Student will make individual requests in a timely manner
to conform with the Conversion Completion Timelines.
Timeline for DRC: DRC will, within reason, convert alternate media within
the schedule specified in the Conversion Completion Timelines.
Students who are dissatisfied with the decisions of DRC personnel regarding
accommodations, or about the quality, efficiency, timeliness or effectiveness
of a provided accommodation may appeal to the Director of DRC, and, if dissatisfied
with the result, file an ADA Complaint Form with an ADA Compliance Officer and
follow that established process.
An eligible student may be denied services through DRC for
Measurable Progress
Lack of measurable progress is defined as being classified as on academic dismissal, long-term suspension or expulsion from the college. Services will only be provided to enrolled students in good standing with the college.
Inappropriate Use of Services
Inappropriate use of services is defined as a failure to comply with the policies and procedures of individual services that students are using. Failure to comply with the terms and/or timelines within each service area may result in suspension or termination of that service.
Prior to the suspension of service, the student will be notified in writing of the impending suspension of service, which will include a date on which services will be suspended.
Services can be reinstated only after the student meets with the DRC Director,
presents extenuating circumstances which warrant reinstatement of services,
and signs a Service Reinstatement Contract (signed by Student, Counselor and
DRC Director) which outlines the guidelines for continuance of services. Failure
to comply with the contract will result in termination of that service.
Notetaking
Tape Recording Lectures
I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Test Accommodation Procedure and DRC Testing Room Regulations (on reverse side).
Signature: ___________________________________________Date:_____________________
*QUIET is the only sound tolerated in the testing rooms. Talking, whispering, gum-chewing, pencil tapping, coughing and sneezing may be distracting to other test takers. If another student is making too much noise, please report the problem to a staff member. If Staff are making too much noise, please report that also.
*CHEATING will not be tolerated. All incidents or suspicious activity will be reported to the instructor. Cheating is a Student Conduct Code violation and may result in suspension or expulsion. If you observe cheating or suspicious activity, you must report the occurrence to a staff member; failure to report the occurrence could result in your suspension or expulsion. Cheating decreases the credibility of this service for everyone!
*TAKING BREAKS. If you need to take a break, you must bring your test with you and leave it with office staff. Time limit: 10 minutes. If you leave for an extended period of time, the amount of time will be reported to the instructor or your exam may be returned to the instructor.
*TIME. Allow adequate time to complete the exam within one sitting during office hours. Late hours by prior arrangement only. Exams can only be split with prior approval of instructor. Time limits may be enforced.
*READERS/SCRIBES must be approved and arranged ahead of time and be individuals approved by DRC staff.
*ADDITIONAL STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
*RELAX AND DO YOUR BEST
Print Name:_______________________________________ ID/SS#:_______________________
The DRC Department of the college offers assistance with mobility for students with documented disabilities and functional limitations which impact an individual's ability to successfully navigate the campus. The college is not mandated to provide these services, but the college has decided that these services can be helpful to facilitate student success. Not all colleges provide these services, nor are they required to do so.
The college provides two types of service: individual mobility carts and larger, staff-driven mobility golf carts (AKA "504" or "23"). The individual carts are checked out to an individual to be used while attending classes and returned by a pre-determined time. The golf carts are for pickups at the Transit Center and delivery to a destination in the interior of the campus or DRC building, or vice-versa at a specified time.
Eligibility is determined by a counselor or director after review of the situation and documentation of limitations.
Individual Mobility Carts
Mobility Golf Carts (aka "504" - "23")
I attest that I have received a copy of the Mobility Services Procedure:
Signature:____________________________________________ Date:______________________
