Statement of Policy
Northeast Texas Community College welcomes students with disabilities, and we are committed to the principle that every individual should have an equal opportunity to enroll at NTCC, register for courses or examinations in order to demonstrate their knowledge and skills under appropriate conditions, and to complete a degree/certificate or transfer. NTCC seeks to assure access by providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with physical, mental, or learning disabilities recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). Reasonable accommodation is the provision of aids, or modification to testing, services, or a program of study, that allows access by individuals with disabilities.
The ADA defines a disability as “any mental or physical condition that substantially limits an individual’s ability to perform one or more major life activities” as compared with the average person in the general population. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, concentrating, caring for oneself, working, learning, and the operation of a major bodily function such as those of the immune system, respiratory system, etc.
The ADA requires an institution of higher education, which differ from secondary public schools to provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a documented disability, providing that the accommodation does not create an undue hardship. An undue hardship refers to any accommodation that would be unduly costly, substantially disruptive, or that would fundamentally alter the nature of the program.
Additionally, NTCC is required to abide by the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which protect otherwise qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. In order to be considered “otherwise qualified”, a student with a disability must be capable, either with or without accommodation, of fulfilling the essential requirements of the educational program.
Individuals requesting reasonable accommodation are required to self-disclose to the Special Populations Coordinator and submit a request in writing by completing the NTCC Request for Accommodation Form. The request must be given in a timely manner, and accompanied by official documentation of the disability from an appropriate, licensed professional, which must address the current functional limitation(s), their prognosis, and recommendation(s) of appropriate accommodation. Once eligibility has been established, accommodations are requested on a course-by-course, semester-by-semester basis.
SERVICES NOT PROVIDED
a.) Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for determining disabilities
b.) Special classes for students with disabilities and development of Individual Educational Plans (IEP's)
c.) A reduced standard for academic performance
d.) Exemption from graduation requirements (some substitutions are allowed with Vice President approval)
e.) Personal devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, glasses, personal aids, or adaptive computer software for personal home use
f.) Personal services such as assistance with eating, toileting, or dressing
g.) Accommodations that would fundamentally alter the nature of a program
