Administrative Policy
Policy Type: Information Technologies Policy Title: Information Technologies Accessibility Policy Office Responsible: Information Technologies Related Policies/Procedures: Information Technologies Accessibility Procedure Related Laws: Section 504 & 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
Oakland Community College (OCC) is committed to making its information technology
("IT") resources, which includes all information provided though the College's website,
online learning or e-learning environment and its learning management systems, accessible
to students, prospective students, employees, guests and visitors with disabilities,
particularly those with visual, hearing and manual impairments or who otherwise require
the use of assistive technology to access information provided through the College
IT resources. Learn more ...
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Administrative Procedure
Procedure Type: Risk Management Procedure Title: Service Animals Procedure Office Responsible: Environmental Health & Safety/Risk Management
Related Policy: Service Animals Safety in Laboratories Guidance for Students, Faculty
& Staff
Related Laws: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended in 2010; Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as applicable; U.S. Department of Justice, Civil
Rights Division's 2015 "Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals"; Michigan
PA 144 of 2015; Michigan PA 75 of 2022
Purpose: Oakland Community College recognizes the importance of Service Animals to individuals
with disabilities and has established the following guidelines for Service Animals
to assist people with disabilities. These guidelines adhere to the Americans with
Disabilities Act (“ADA”) of 1990 as amended in 2010, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 as applicable, the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division’s
2015 “Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals”, Michigan PA 144 of 2015,
and Michigan PA 75 of 2022. These guidelines ensure that people with disabilities
who require the use of Service Animals receive the benefit of the work or tasks performed
by such animals. Learn more ...
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Administrative Policy
Policy Type: Environmental Health and Safety/Risk Management and ACCESS Policy Title: Service Animals Safety in Laboratories Guidance for Students, Faculty
& Staff Office Responsible: Environmental Health and Safety/Risk Management and ACCESS Related Procedure: Service Animals Procedure Related Laws: Americans with Disabilities Act as amended in 2010; Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Michigan PA 144 of 2015
Purpose: This guidance is to be used in conjunction with the College’s current Service Animals
Procedure which also provides the definitions of Service Animals. The College strives
to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all of its students, faculty,
and staff. These guidelines adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
as amended in 2010, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as applicable,
and the Michigan PA 144 of 2015. The College is committed to allowing persons with
disabilities the use of a Service Animal on campus to facilitate their full participation
and equal access to the College’s programs and activities. Learn more...
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How disability services are determined Oakland Community College (OCC) is committed to removing barriers to education that
may be experienced by students with disabilities by providing appropriate academic
support and accommodations. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulate the provision of services and accommodations
for students with disabilities in higher education. The purpose of accommodations
is to provide equal access to learning.
Students with disabilities must be "otherwise qualified" Although these federal laws protect qualified students with disabilities from being
denied the opportunity of participating at the college level, no law requires colleges
or universities to accept or accommodate everyone who has a disability. The ADA indicates
that applicants with disabilities must:
● Be able to satisfy the standards required by the university or college for all students.
For example, if all students must have a certain high school GPA to be admitted, then
the student with a disability must also have that GPA. ● Be able to perform the "essential academic and technical standards of the program
with (or without) reasonable accommodations." For example, if the students at OCC
are required to take certain courses in order to meet the graduation requirements,
then the student with a disability should be able to also meet those requirements,
either without support, or with the appropriate educational supports and accommodations. ● When provided with reasonable accommodations, students with disabilities must be
able to maintain college level qualifications as referenced in the OCC College Catalog.
Reasonable accommodations provide access to the college educational programs and services Under the ADA, students do not have to disclose a disability. However, disclosure
is required at OCC for students to receive accommodations. Signed comprehensive medical
documentation or test evaluations that indicate the nature of the disability and functional
limitations of the individual are required. Guidelines for the documentation can be
obtained from the Accessibility Compliance Center and Educational Support Services
(ACCESS) offices. The ACCESS Coordinators will review the documentation, determine
eligibility for services, and then coordinate the accommodations, auxiliary aids,
academic support, and/or referrals as deemed appropriate, necessary, and within the
current resources of the College.
The Americans with Disabilities Act defines what accommodation requests are "not reasonable" Accommodations are not required or given if they would cause the college to compromise
the essential elements of the curriculum, or if they weaken the academic standards.
Accommodations are also not reasonable if the accommodations create a safety hazard
for the requesting student and/or other students in the class. Post-secondary education
does not offer Special Education or curriculum modification.
The Americans with Disabilities Act also states that colleges need not provide accommodations
if it would create an "undue burden" OCC is committed to providing whatever accommodations are necessary and possible,
given the resources of the College. However, sometimes the funds or resources might
not be available if the accommodation is extremely expensive, or if the accommodation
would change the fundamental nature of the program or create a problem that is considered
an "undue burden."
Oakland Community College students who experience disabilities have rights Students with disabilities have the right to equal access in all courses, programs,
services, jobs, activities and facilities, and to be treated with due respect in the
college environment.
Medical and counseling information is kept confidential The student receiving services or accommodations decides what information is to be
kept confidential and what is to be released to specific individuals. A federal law,
the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), regulates release of student information. Consent forms are available for
students who would like to disclose specific information about their disability or
needs to professors, administrators, or parents/spouse. FERPA allows the ACCESS Coordinators
to communicate basic information with other college personnel on an as-needed basis.
Accommodation information is provided to instructors of each class for which an accommodation
is needed.
Oakland Community College students who experience disabilities also have responsibilities Students who receive support from the ACCESS Offices have the responsibility to:
● Meet the qualifications to be admitted to the College and follow the Student Code
of Conduct. ● Be proactive and self-directed when needing an accommodation. ● Demonstrate and/or document (from an appropriate professional) how the disability
limits participation in courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, or facilities. ● Complete all forms that are required for services. ● Maintain communication with the ACCESS Office, tutors, and other relevant OCC personnel
as indicated in the student's individualized accommodation plan. ● Keep all appointments with faculty, counselors, tutors, and the ACCESS Office.
Resolving disagreements Any disagreement concerning eligibility for services or specific accommodations should
first be addressed with the ACCESS manager. In the event that a resolution cannot
be attained, the student may request a review of the disagreement by submitting a
formal appeal in writing to the Dean of Learning Resources.
Oakland Community College is committed to equal opportunity for all students and employees.
Oakland Community College does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination,
on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation,
age, or disability as those terms are defined under applicable law, in the administration
of any of its education programs, activities, or with respect to admissions and employment.
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