387.10 Scope:

  • 387.10.01 Reasonable accommodations under this policy include, but are not limited to (a) instructional flexibility, such as modifications in test taking arrangements; (b) adjustments in non instructional services such as priority registration; and (c) auxiliary aids and services.
  • 387.10.02 SCD will make those modifications to its programs and services that (1) are reasonably necessary to ensure that its programs and services do not discriminate, or have the effect of discriminating, against a student with a disability based upon that disability; (2) do not impose an unreasonable or undue hardship on the college; and (3) do not require fundamental alteration of essential program requirements.
  • 387.10.03 Appropriate academic accommodations will be provided to qualified students with disabilities for all college programs, services and activites, including recruitment, application, enrollment, registration, financial aid, course work, and academic counseling.

387.20 Definitions:

  • 387.20.01 "Academic accommodations" in college programs and services are modifications to those programs, practices, and procedures that enable qualified students to have an equal opportunity to benefit from and have access to college programs and services by providing appropriate auxiliary aids and services.
  • 387.20.02 "Qualified Professional" is an individual who has completed a course of study and is licensed to practice in a field of health care which includes the diagnoses and assessment of the particular disability or disabilities in question and/or whose training and background qualifies them to diagnose specific disabilities.
  • 387.20.03 "Student" is any person who attends any Seattle College District campus for whom the District maintains educational records or personal identifiable information.
  • 387.20.04 A "qualified student" is one who, with or without accommodations, meets the academic and technical standards required for admission to, participation in, and/or fulfillment of the essential requirements of college programs or activities and who has provided appropriate documentation of disability and need for accommodation.
  • 387.20.05 A "student with a disability" is a student who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; (2) has a record of such an impairment; (3) is regarded as have such an impairment. Students must meet definition (1) or (2) to be eligible for accommodations.
  • 387.20.06 "Undue hardship" is any excessively costly, extensive, substantial or disruptive modification or one that would substantially alter the nature or operation of the institution or any of its programs or services.
  • 387.20.07 "Program accessibility" means that all programs and services, when viewed in their entirety, are accessible to persons with a disability.

387.30 Obligations of the SCD:

  • 387.30.01 Comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L.101-336), Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and the disability laws of the State of Washington.
  • 387.30.02 Make available to all students information on the services available to those with disabilities, including the name and location of the appropriate program identified by the college which serves students with disabilities.
  • 387.30.03 Work with the student, faculty, and staff on an individual basis, to determine those accommodations reasonably appropriate for each qualified student with a disability.
  • 387.30.04 Develop procedures to protect the confidentiality of information regarding the nature and extent of the documented disability.
  • 387.30.05 Provide academic accommodations which will maintain the instructional integrity of its programs.
  • 387.30.06 Refrain from pre-admission inquiry as to whether applicant has a disability except as to inform student that, if he/she is disabled and wishes to receive an academic accommodation, the student must request in a timely manner the specific accommodation(s) and also provide documentation from the student's physician or other qualified professional identifying the functional limitation(s) resulting in the need for accommodations.
  • 387.30.07 Require appropriate documentation to identify the functional impact of a disability in determining academic accommodations.

387.40 Obligations and Rights of Students:

To ensure that needed accommodations are provided in a timely manner, the student shall:

  • 387.40.01 Provide information on a timely basis regarding the functional impact of the disability, and the specific accommodations requested to the Disability Support Services Office designated by the college to serve students with disabilities. Requests for accommodations should be received by the college with advance notice because certain accommodations require several weeks to implement. Lack of advance written notice may delay the availability of an accommodation.
  • 387.40.02 Provide appropriate documentation concerning the functional impact of the disability so that the college may determine appropriate accommodations. Such written documentation shall include, but is not limited to; identification of tests administered, test results, description of the covered disability, and recommended accommodations from the student's physician or other qualified professional. Specific procedures for this process are available in the DSS Office on each campus.
  • 387.40.03 Promptly notify the appropriate office designated by the college to serve students with disabilities of any problems encountered in receiving the agreed-upon accommodations.

387.50 Disability Support Services Office (DSS):

  • 387.50.01 The DSS Office will assist and advise each qualified student with a disability who requests accommodations under this policy by identifying and coordinating those mutually agreed-upon academic accommodations appropriate for the student.
  • 387.50.02 The DSS Office is committed to a reasonable approach in the identification of students with disabilities, including responding to all students who voluntarily self-identify during the college admission or orientation process.
  • 387.50.03 The DSS Office will keep a confidential file for a minimum of three years and a maximum of seven years on each student who provides documentation of disability. This file may contain a copy of the documentation of the disability, a letter of information describing academic accommodations to be provided, a contract, and/or release of information forms.
  • 387.50.04 A student has the right to not utilize an approved accommodation. However, if the student cannot meet the academic and technical standards required for admission to, participation in, and/or fulfillment of the essential requirements of college programs or activities without the accommodation, he or she may not be considered a "qualified student".

387.60 Academic Accommodations - Examples by Categories:

  • 387.60.01 The process of selecting academic accommodations for each qualified student with a disability shall be made on an individual basis, appropriate to the functional impact of the student's disability.

387.70 Instructional Adjustments

  • 387.70.01 Academic adjustments may include, but are not limited to:
    1. Flexibility in time lines for completion of courses, and certificate and degree requirements;
    2. Possible substitution as determined by the college of specific courses required for the completion of degrees as outlined by each individual college's pre-established policies and procedures; the colleges may not substitute essential requirements of a student's program of instruction. Therefore, every student enrolled in a degree program at the college is expected to meet the essential requirements of a degree program with or without accommodations.

      SCD recognizes that variations in course delivery and/or providing core services may enable disabled students to successfully complete course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to attempt to successfully complete the required courses with accommodations. If course substitutions are indicated, students are advised to contact the DSS Office for assistance in requesting substitutions following the established procedures on each campus.

    3. Flexibility in teaching methods and test-taking arrangements as agreed upon with instructors.
  • 387.70.02 Auxiliary Aids and Services
    1. Flexible procedures in the admissions process, early registration;
    2. Qualified sign language, oral and tactile interpreters, or other effective communication services;
    3. Access to adaptive equipment including, but not limited to, TTY/TDDs, FM communicators, closed caption devices, amplified telephone receivers, closed circuit televisions, low-vision reading aids, audio recorders, Braille devices and computer hardware/software;
    4. Textbooks and other educational materials in alternative media, including, but not limited to large print, Braille, electronic format, and audio tape;
    5. Provision of readers, note takers and/or scribes; and
    6. Release of syllabi, study guides, and other instructor-produced materials in advance of general distribution, access beyond the regular classroom session to slides, films, overheads, and other media, and taping of lectures.
  • 387.70.03 Access
    1. On-going advocacy to ensure campus accessibility, including barrier free signage, identification of hazards of mobility barriers, maintenance of access during construction, and adequate disability parking at all facilities;
    2. Facilitating physical access to programs and services including relocating classes, activities, and services to accessible facilities;
    3. Referral to appropriate on-campus and off-campus resources, services and agencies; and
    4. Accessibility to tutoring, mentoring, peer counseling, and academic advising, if available on campus.

387.75 Procedures and guidelines for the provision of Effective Communication services

  • 387.75.01 Service provider for Seattle Colleges

    The Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at each college will generally, upon request, provide effective communication aids and services for qualified District students with disabilities so they may participate equally in college programs, services and activities. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations, such as sign language interpreting, are asked to contact their college’s disability support office, present documentation and meet with a DSS counselor. Requests for ongoing classroom services must be made through the student's DSS counselor, prior to the beginning of the quarter or class session if possible. Students must be registered for the classes for which they are requesting services.

    Effective communication services are also available for campus events.

    All requests for effective communication services must be made to Disability Services. Requests for services with less than four weeks’ notice for ongoing classes can result in delayed services. At least 5 business days may be needed for one-time events or services. Fulfillment of requests is contingent upon service provider availability.

  • 387.75.02 Service request for Seattle Central College, including Seattle Vocational Institute, Wood Construction and Maritime; for South Seattle College, including Georgetown and New Holly; and for North Seattle College.

387.80 Student Complaints Policy:

  • 387.80.01(1) Student Complaints - General

    In every institution, problems can sometimes occur. In order to ensure students are treated fairly, the Seattle College District has developed a policy and procedure (370.10-.40) for students who wish to register a complaint. A copy of the student complaint process is available for review in the DSS Office on each campus. Pursuant to that process, the campus president makes the final decision if the concerns have not been resolved at a lower level.

Adoption Date : 1984/03/05
Revision Date : 2016/08/08