Regents' Policy
Part IX- Student Affairs
Chapter VI
Services for Students with Disabilities
Prohibition Against Discrimination on the Basis of Disability (PO9.06.01)
The University of Alaska will provide a learning environment in which no student will be subjected to unlawful discrimination based on disability. No otherwise qualified individual will be denied reasonable access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University of Alaska because of disability. Each qualified student with a disability will be eligible to receive appropriate academic adjustments and programmatic accommodations necessary for the student to access educational opportunities, programs, activities, or services in the most integrated setting possible.
(06-19-98)
Definitions (PO9.06.02)
A. ADA/Section 504, ADA/Section 504 Coordinator
ADA is the acronym for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as ammended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. An ADA/Section 504 coordinator is a person responsible for overseeing university implentation of the requirements contained in these federal laws.
B. Appropriate Academic Adjustment
An appropriate academic adjustment is a modification to the learning environment defined by individual documented need and directly related to a student's academic pursuits, as approved by the MAU disability support services coordinator.
Appropriate academic adjustments may include, but are not limited to, auxiliary aids and services such as : sign language interpreters, provision of course notes, alternative format materials, alternative testing accomodations, assistive learning technologies, modifications in length of time needed to complete degree requirements, substitutions for specific courses required for degree completion, and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted. (See also "Programmatic Accomodation.")
C. Disability Support Services Coordinator (DSS Coordinator)
The disability support services coordinator is the individual designated by the chancellor of each MAU to administer the provision of appropriate academic adjustments and other programmatic accomodations to students with disabilities for the MAU.
D. Qualified Student
A qualified student is a student with a disability who, with or without an accomodation, meets the academic and technical standards requisite for admission to, or participation in, the student's selected educational program or activity.
E. Programmatic Accomodation
A programmatic accomodation is a modification or adjustment to the physical and/or learning environment made to enable a student with a disability to pursue educational goals, as approved by the MAU disability support services coordinator. (See also " Appropriate Academic Adjustment." )
F. Student with a Disability
A student with a disability is a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or a person with a record of such a physical or mental impairment, or a person who is regarded as having such an impairment.
(06-19-98)
Accomodations of Students with Disabilities (PO9.06.03)
The University of Alaska will strive to provide, within the limits of mission, resources, facilities, and personnel, appropriate academic adjustments and other programmatic accommodations to qualified students with disabilities to ensure access to educational opportunities, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting possible. The University of Alaska will make reasonable modifications and adjustments, provided such adjustments would not result in a fundamental alteration of the affected service, program, or activity; lower the standards of an instructional program; result in an undue financial, administrative and/or academic burden; or create a direct threat to the health or safety of others. Regents' Policy, University Regulations, and MAU rules and procedures for accomoddation of students with disabilities will be based upon principles and requirements contained in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
The University of Alaska will not charge students with disabilities a fee for the provision of approved appropriate academic adjustments and other programmatic accommodations. The university assumes no responsibility for providing or for the cost of non-approved academic adjustments, personal care attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for non-programmatic material, and/or other devices or services of a personal rather than programattic nature.
Programs or activities not wholly operated by the university, but which are used in conjunction with university-sponsered programs, must be able to provide an opportunity for participation by qualified students with disabilities. The program sponsor must be able to provide the university with documentation that the sponsor does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
(06-19-98)
Provision of Appropriate Academic Adjustments and Other Programmatic Accomodations (PO9.06.04)
A. Responsibilities of the Chancellor
Each chancellor is responsible for ensuring that the MAU, including exteded campuses and sites, metts all legal responsibilities for students with disabilities. The chancellor will designate an individual to serve as the MAU disability support services coordinator (DSS coordinator). Each chancellor is also responsible for ensuring that training opportunities related to awareness and understanding of the needs of students with disabilities are made available.
B. Responsibilities of the Disability Support Services Coordinator
The DSS coordinator will oversee all services for students with disabilities provided within the MAU, including the needs of the extended colleges, campuses, and other sites. The DSS coordinator, in consultation with the chief adminstrative officer of an extended college or campus, may appoint site designees to assist in the delivery of disability support services. The DSS coordinator, or the site designee in consultation with the DSS coordinator, is responsible for the provision of services which include, but are not limited to:
1. evaluating disability documentation provided by students seeking eligibility for university services on the basis of disability;
2. consulting with individual faculty and/or staff when required by the nature of the disability, academic adjustment, or programmatic accomodation;
3. authorizing appropriate academic adjustments and other programmatic accomodations for qualified students with disabilities in accordadnce with Regents' Policy, University Regulation, and MAU rules and procedures, and providing written instructions to faculty and staff for their provision and coordination;
4. providing consultation and training for faculty and staff related to awareness and understanding of the needs of students with disabilities;
5. resoloving complaints from students, faculty, or staff regarding the provision of appropriate academic adjustments or other programmatic accomodations for students; and
6. advising the chancellor about changes in MAU practices which would encourage students with disabilities to particpate in university programs and activ ities.
C. Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities in Seeking Accomodation
Students with disabilities who seek appropriate academic adjustments and other programmatic accommodation must identify themselves to the DSS coordinator or site designee, provide documentation of their disabling condition, and request appropriate accomodation in a timely manner. Students will be required to submit medical and/or other acceptable documentation with the request.
D. Responsibilities of Faculty and Staff in Providing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Faculty and staff will work with the DSS coordinator or site designee to provide the authorized academic adjustments and other programmatic accommodations. Faculty and staff are responsible for understanding the university's obligation to provide accommodations for students with disabilities.
Faculty or staff who feel a more helful accommodation than that authorized is possible or who have questions about the authorized accomodation should contact the DSS coordinator or site designee. Authorized accomodations or adjustments may not be changed without the approval of the DSS coordinator or site designee.
E. Reconsideration of Authorized Accommodations
The dean or directo of a program affected by the authorized accommodations may also request the DSS coordinator or site designee to reconsider if the dean or director considers the authorized academic adjustments and other programmatic accomodations would result in a fundamental alteration of the affected service, program, or activity; lower the standards of an instructional program; result in an undue financial, administrative and/or academic burden; or create a direct threat to the health or safety of others. The DSS coordinator or site designee will attempt to resolve the matter informally, and, if necessary, proceed to formal resolution procedure according to the accompanying regulation.
(06-19-98)
Resolution of Complaints Regarding Accomodation of Students with Disabilities and of Complaints of Discrimination Based on Disability (P09.06.05)
Students with disabilities who are dissatisfied with the accommodations or services provided by the university may initiate a formal complaint in accordance with University Regulation and MAU rules and procedures only after exhausting the processes for securing the services and accomodations and the informal means for resolving complaints.
A process will be provided in the accompanying regulation for informal and formal resolution of complaints from students with disabilities who have been denied services or who are dissatisfied with the services provided, and from individuals who allege that a student has been subjected to unlawful discrimination based on disability.
(06-19-98)
Confidentiality (PO9.06.06)
The documents submitted by students seeking services to accomodate their disabilities and the resulting file will be managed like medical/health files under the supervison of the DSS coordinator or site designee in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Documentation related to a disability will not be part of a student's academic file. Information contained in the files will be released by the DSS coordinator or site designee only in accordance with federal and state laws.
(06-19-98)
B
