Rebecca C. Cory, PhD.
Manager, Disability Services
North Seattle Community College

Laws that govern disability in higher education

Two Prongs of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Role of Instructors

Role of Disability Services office

Role of Student

Q&A

1973 Rehabilitation Act, Section 504

1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II

1992 Core Services Bill, Washington State

Seattle Community College District Policy
TITLE: REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
No student shall, on the basis of his or her disability, be excluded from participation, be denied
the benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination under any District program or
activity. The Seattle Community College District is committed to providing qualified
students with a disability an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights, and privileges
of District services, programs and activities in an accessible setting appropriate to the
student's needs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the disability laws of the State of Washington.
The District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, including core services,
to qualified students with disabilities. The purpose of this policy is to identify the rights and
responsibilities of students and for the District under ADA/504 to establish clear guidelines
for those seeking and receiving reasonable accommodations. To receive reasonable
accommodations, students are responsible both for requesting accommodations and
for providing appropriate written documentation as defined in the attached implementing
procedures.
The Disability Support Services Office on each campus shall be responsible for
implementation of this policy and the related procedures.
Legal Authority: US Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L.93-112) and RCW 49.60.

One: Individuals with disabilities are
protected from discrimination

Two: Individuals with disabilities are
eligible for “reasonable accommodations”

Policies, procedures, course design, etc.
can not rule out, or seem to rule out, a
person with a disability
Example: Art class that requires standing at
an easel to paint

However, technical standards can be
established
Example: Nursing classes can require the ability to
detect changes in skin color or appearance

Must not “fundamentally alter” the course
or program

Must not create “undue hardship” on the
College

Cooperate with Disability Services personnel in
providing authorized accommodations and
support services, in a fair and timely manner.

Meet as quickly as possible with students who
provide a Letter of Accommodation.

Consult with the Manager of Disability Services
regarding questions about accommodations.


Assist students in contacting Disability Services
if they request accommodations from the
instructor directly.
Maintain confidentiality of students’ disability
information.

Facilitate our institutional commitment to
students with disabilities.

Protect students with disabilities from
discrimination and assure them reasonable
accommodations.

Review documentation and work with students
to assess their classroom needs.

Work with instructors and students to ensure the
best match between the students’ needs
and classroom requirements.

Identify him or herself to Disability Services and to
provide professional documentation of the disability.

Consult with Disability Services to determine specific
accommodations.

Meet with his or her instructors at the beginning of
each quarter to discuss arrangements for
accommodations in each course.
 Maintain
the same responsibility for their education as
non-disabled students.

Put a statement on your syllabus indicating
your openness to working with students
with disabilities.
In my commitment to student learning I want to support
all students. If you have a disability that will affect
your performance in this class please let me know.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to use
disability services for support in implementing
reasonable accommodations for their disabilities.
This presentation can be found at:
http://facweb.northseattle.edu/rcory/ADAfaculty.pptx