Disability Services

Saint Paul College is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities to all students, including those with disabilities. The Director of Disabilities Services Office provides direct assistance such as information, referral, advocacy, support, and academic accommodations for students. Accommodations are made on an individualized and flexible basis. Students with disabilities are responsible for seeking assistance and providing acceptable documentation of their disability prior to receiving accommodations.

The Director of Disability Services assists in the transition of students with disabilities to Saint Paul College programs. The Director of Disability Services, Shai Wise, is located in Enrollment Services (Room 155) and can be reached at 651.846.1547.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Disability Services fosters programmatic and environmental access to students with disabilities so that they can achieve their educational goals. The Office also serves as a resource on disability issues to the College and the community.

Procedures for Obtaining Services

All students who wish to receive assistance through Disability Services must meet with the Director and provide acceptable documentation of their disability prior to receiving services. Available services will be explained and those deemed appropriate will be provided upon the student's request.

Eligibility and Documentation

Any person who has a documented disability, permanent or temporary, who is a student or prospective student at Saint Paul College, and who is qualified for educational programs is eligible for services.

Saint Paul College requires students with disabilities to submit documentation of their disability prior to receiving academic accommodations. The college requires that documentation:

• Clearly state the diagnosed disability or disabilities

• Describe the tests performed in making the diagnosis

• Describe the functional limitations resulting from the disability or disabilities

• Be current (less than 3 years old)

• Describe the specific accommodation(s) requested

• Adequately support each of the requested accommodations

• Be typed or printed on official letterhead and be signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis, including information about license or certification and area of specialization).

Any documentation that fails to meet any of these criteria may not be sufficient to receive accommodations. Individualized Education Programs (IEP's) are not sufficient documentation to receive accommodations at the higher education level. Students whose documentation is insufficient are invited to resubmit additional documentation at any time. Saint Paul College is not responsible for providing accommodations to students who have not submitted adequate documentation.

Rights of Students with Disabilities

All students at Saint Paul College have the right to be treated with dignity and respect by all staff and employees at the college. Students with disabilities have the right to:

• Have information regarding their disability and services they receive kept confidential and disclosed only on a need-to-know basis

• High quality services and assistance in accordance with Saint Paul College policies and procedures

• Evaluate the services they receive and bring to the attention of the Director of Disability Services any concerns or problems related to the delivery of services

• Appeal any denied requests for services. All denials will be documented and kept on file by the Disability Services Office.

Students with disabilities should begin working with the Disability Services Office as soon as possible to allow time to put accommodations in place.

Available Services/Accommodations

Saint Paul College offers the following services to students to remove environmental and programmatic barriers related to a disability:

• Advocacy

• Support and counseling

• Information and referrals

• Early registration

Physical Access Accommodations

• Assistive listening devices

• Academic accommodations

• Sign language interpreters

• Assistive computer software

• Notetakers

• Test proctoring/accommodations such as extra time, quiet room, tests on tape

• Written materials made available on tape or in other alternative formats

• Adaptive equipment

• Recorders and scribes

• Transition services

• Assistance with course selection and program advising

• Other services as deemed appropriate be staff

Sign Language Interpreters and Notetakers for Deaf Students

Sign Language Interpreters assist deaf and hard-of-hearing students with classroom communication, as well as communication with students, faculty and staff. Many College events are interpreted/transliterated for deaf students/staff. Notetakers are often necessary during class lectures so deaf and hard-of-hearing students can concentrate fully on the interpreter. Some deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals do not know or use American Sign Language. They may depend entirely on lip reading to communicate. Oral interpreters and notetakers may provide necessary communication when instructors are not facing them. FM aids are available for those hard-of-hearing individuals who wish to use assistive listening devices/equipment during lectures or group discussions.

Contact Disability Services

Any questions should be directed to Disability Services, 651.846.1547 (voice) or 651.846.1548 (TTY). The Office of Disability Services is located in the Office of Enrollment Services. If a student is having difficulty with any requested acccomodations, please contact Shai Wise, Director of Disability Services, in a timely manner for assistance.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Persons with disabilities have the right to equal opportunity for education as prescribed by law. Disability Services is responsible for creating a barrier-free environment while empowering students to grow towards independence and self-assertion.

• Accessibility & Web Resources

Questions

Any questions should be directed to Shai Wise, Disability Coordinator, Saint Paul College, 235 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102, or call 651.846.1547 (voice) or 651.846.1548 (TTY).

Persons with disabilities have the right to equal opportunity for education as prescribed by law. Disability Services is responsible for creating a barrier-free environment while empowering students to grow towards independence and self assertion.

This information can be made available in alternative formats upon request.