Services for Students with Special Needs

Accommodations for Students with Special Needs

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended in 2008) requires the College to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of current or potential students. An accommodation is any change in the work or learning environment, or in the way things are customarily done, that enables an individual with a qualifying disability to pursue opportunities and have access to employment or programs and services offered by the College.

Statement of Intent:

Nebraska Indian community college desires to create an accessible community where individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to pursue their educational goals limited only by their abilities not their disabilities to this end the college will:

• Provide direct, reasonable accommodations and support services for individuals with disabilities.
• Encourage self-determination, independence and personal responsibility for students with special needs.
• Provide resources, advocacy, collaborative services, and outreach throughout the College community.
• Promote an open and welcoming environment around campus for individuals with special needs.
• Inform and educate the NICC community about disability-related laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Members of the Educational Access (EA) team at all campus locations have the responsibility for coordinating the efforts of the college to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This team is responsible for working with eligible students to coordinate and provide appropriate academic accommodations.

Qualifying Disability:

To have a qualifying disability, an individual must have a record of having a substantial impairment. A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for oneself, learning or working.

Otherwise Qualified: an individual must also be “otherwise qualified” (i.e., to be able to meet the requisite technical and academic standards)

Basic Principles of Reasonable Accommodations:

• Individuals with qualifying disabilities must self-identify.
• Documentation must meet the criteria established by Nebraska Indian Community College.
• The individual must be “otherwise qualified” for the program.

Once it has been documented that an individual has a qualifying disability, NICC will work with the individual to provide reasonable accommodation. The College is only obligated to make an accommodation to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability. The College is not required to provide an accommodation that is primarily for personal use. The accommodations provided need not be the most expensive or ideal accommodation requested by the individual, as long as it is an effective accommodation.      

The Decision to Self-Identify:

The decision to self-identify and request reasonable accommodation is highly personal. NICC welcomes current and prospective students to discuss their disability, documentation, possible accommodations, and concerns with a member of the Educational Access Team. If you have a disability, there is no requirement that you disclose your disability at any time, but in order to receive accommodations from the College, you must self-identify. The decision not to self-identify is understood and respected.

Consider self-identifying and requesting reasonable accommodations if:

• You have a documented disability that significantly affects major life functions.
• You are a client of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Commission for the Blind, the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or a related agency.
• You received accommodations at another educational institution.

 

Steps to Request Reasonable Accommodations:

1. Complete an Application for Reasonable Accommodations formor reach out to an Educational Access (EA) team member for support. 

NICC students can complete the reasonable accommodation request form at any point in the semester or during their college career. Additionally, you can also reach out for help if you need additional support. Unlike elementary or high school, as a college student, you decide if and when to request accommodations by connecting with the EA team. 

2. Connect with EA team member for next steps.

Once you complete the form (available digitally or in-person), an EA team member will send the next steps to you via NICC email, including information on scheduling a time to discuss reasonable accommodations as a NICC student. This meeting is confidential, and your disability information will never be disclosed to your faculty or other campus personnel without your consent.   

3. EA team will coordinate to determine reasonable accommodations.
After your initial meeting, the EA team will determine if the requested accommodations are supported based on forms and other documentation. You may be asked to provide additional information or documentation to help determine suitable accommodation/s. Your description of any barriers you have experienced or may anticipate related to your disability in the academic and campus environment is an integral part of our process.  

1. You will be asked if you would like to update your instructors about your accommodations by completing the Faculty Release form. If you wish to continue with the same accommodations as previously requested, you must complete the Faculty Release form before the Add/Drop date for each term. 
2. The EA team member may consult with your faculty member to determine the most effective and equitable accommodation.

4. Decision will be made on reasonable accommodation and faculty update.

1. If you receive reasonable accommodation/s, an accommodation letter detailing the list of accommodations will be emailed to every faculty listed in the Faculty Release form within ten school days. 
2. If you qualify and do not accept the accommodation/s, you have the right to appeal an offered accommodation they may think is unacceptable.
3. If you do not qualify, you have the right to appeal the decision.

 

Meet the Educational Access Team (with links to online bios)

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Right of Appeal:

Contact the EA Team for more information on the Student Appeal process. If the student and the College are unable to successfully resolve problems, the student does have the right to file a grievance. All students have the right of due process in fairness, in matters of dispute, including those arising from objection to, or dissatisfaction with, actions taken by Nebraska Indian Community College with regard to request for reasonable accommodation. Remedies under this grievance procedure or corrective steps and measures to provide a reasonable accommodation. For a complete explanation of the Student Grievance processes at NICC, consult the College Catalog or contact the Dean of Student Services.

Confidentiality and Privacy:

The EA Team keeps all records and the documentation of students with disabilities confidential. Any information regarding students’ disabilities and accompanying documentation is confidential and protected by law under the Family Education Rights in Privacy Act (FERPA) , the ADA, and §504 the Rehabilitation Act. 

Forms:

Application for Reasonable Accommodations form

Faculty Release Form

Additional Resources:

• Transition from High School to College Handout
• American Psychological Association - Reasonable Accommodations Explained
• Common accommodations and modifications in school
• Developmental Disability Center of Nebraska

• Medicare Eligibility for People With Disabilities