Accessibility & Disability

Western Wyoming College Mission Statement

"Western is an innovative public community college aimed at empowering, educating, and improving our students, employees, community and environment. Our focus is to inspire the next generation of visionaries by using Wyoming grit and individual development in a diverse array of learning and flexible services. Western is where passion meets purpose."

 

Confidentiality

All documentation provided to the accommodation office will be kept strictly confidential. Student health and accommodation related information is kept separate from academic files. No information, except as provided by law, will be released to anyone, including parents, without the student's written consent. Accommodation information will be shared with both faculty and the student via encrypted email. Accommodation information will not include any diagnostic, health, or protected information.

 

Nondiscrimination Statement

Western Wyoming College is committed to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory educational and employment environment. Western Wyoming College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other status protected by law in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. Western Wyoming College does not discriminate in enrollment or access to any of the programs available. Western Wyoming College also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding these laws may be forwarded to the designated compliance coordinator. The College has a designated person to monitor compliance and to answer any questions regarding the college's nondiscrimination policies: Please contact: Heather Cutts, Title IX and 504 Coordinator, Room 3050, Rock Springs Campus, WY 82901, 307-382-1748, hcutts@westernwyoming.edu. Contact information for the regional Office for Civil Rights is: OCR, Denver Office, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, 303.844.5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov. Western Wyoming College is an open­admissions institution. More information is also available at https://www.westernwyoming.edu/

 

Who is Eligible?

Western Wyoming College provides services to all qualified students who require accommodation as defined by law. No otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded rom the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 794) A qualified individual with a disability means: An individual who, with or without reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities.

(Americans with Disabilities Act of 199042 U.S.C. §12131 [Sec. 201.]) The definition of a disability includes a person who: has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such a person's major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment. (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 34 C.F.R. [Part 104]) A "qualified" person with a disability is defined as one. "Who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in the education program or activity." This can include but is not limited to blindness, visual impairment, cerebral palsy, deafness, hearing impairment, epilepsy, seizure disorders, orthopedic impairment, mobility limitations, specific learning disabilities, speech and language disorders, Tourette's syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, spinal cord injuries, psychiatric conditions, anxiety, depression, trauma conditions, eating disorders, significant allergies, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, cancer, traumatic brain injury, long covid, acute injury, and acute

illness/hospitalization. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. A qualified student who "meets the academic and technical standards for admission and participation in the educational program or activity," and who may require Title IX is a student who is pregnant, breastfeeding, experiencing pregnancy complications or loss, menstrual or menopausal conditions, other reproductive conditions, sexual assault or abuse, and other sex-based conditions protected by Title IX law.

Students who require accommodation have the responsibility to:

• Meet qualifications and maintain essential institutional standards for courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities.
• Identify as an individual who requires accommodation when accommodation is needed and seek information, counsel, and assistance as necessary.
• Provide appropriate documentation of the condition and how it limits participation in courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities.
• Follow established procedures for obtaining accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services, pay for personal devices
• Check student assigned email for updates on accommodation process, protocol, policy, accommodation.
• Meet and abide by Western Wyoming College's academic, conduct, and technical standards.
• Students are also responsible for contacting the Student Life Office if reasonable academic adjustments or accommodations are not implemented in an effective or timely way.
• Contact our Student Accommodation Specialist for accommodation each term.

 

Western Wyoming College has the responsibility to:

• Provide information to faculty, staff, students and guests who require accommodation in accessible formats upon request.
• Ensure that courses, programs, activities, and facilities, when viewed in their entirety, are available and usable in the most integrated and appropriate settings.
• Evaluate students on their abilities and not their needs.
• Provide or arrange reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services for students who require accommodation in courses, programs, activities, and facilities.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of records and communication.

 

What is Reasonable Accommodation?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) stipulates that postsecondary institutions are responsible for providing necessary accommodations when a student discloses a disability. "A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, or activity that enables a qualified student with a disability to obtain equal access. Equal access means an opportunity to attain the same level of performance or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to a similarly situated student without a disability. Only the peripheral requirements of courses, programs, and activities are subject to modification; essential elements of courses, programs, and activities must remain intact." The student will have the opportunity to engage in interactive processes to determine accommodation and academic performance, including previous support and efficacy. Not all students with similar needs benefit equally from similar or identical auxiliary aids, services, or accommodation. All Western Wyoming College Staff, Faculty, and Programs are encouraged to apply Universal Design.

 

Initial Request for Accommodations

To set up an accommodation appointment, contact the Student Life Office.

Western Wyoming College Campus/Website

James Stuart, Student Accommodation Specialist

307.382.1806

jstuart@westernwyoming.edu

 

Students should complete the application electronically for an accommodation request.

After submission, the application is reviewed by the Student Accommodation Specialist. Students are encouraged to upload any relevant documentation of their disability. If the release of information form is completed, staff will request records on the student's behalf. Once all documentation is received, the Student Life Office will reach out to schedule an intake appointment.

Renewal Request for Accommodations

Students should complete the application electronically for accommodation renewal.

 

Disability Documentation Guidelines

In order to provide reasonable, effective, and appropriate academic accommodations to students at Western Wyoming College who require accommodation, this office requires students to provide recent, relevant, and comprehensive medical documentation of the condition and the impact on the student's participation in a course, program, or activity. The documentation must be current, within five years maximum in most cases, and must be completed by a Professional with a valid licensure for diagnosis.

 

The documentation provided by the student must include the following information:

• Documentation reflects a specific diagnosis or condition and the current functional limitations or academic barriers presented by the disability, i.e., how does the condition create a barrier for the student academically?
• Include a DSM-IV code where appropriate.
• If medications are taken, identify the side effects that impact academic performance.
• Typed letters on official letterhead, psycho-educational evaluation reports (with scores) or neuropsychological evaluation reports (with scores) are preferred. Letters must be signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis, and include information about license or certification, background and area of specialization.
• Documentation must be dated and signed by the physician or evaluator.

 

Incomplete or Insufficient Documentation

• Handwritten notes on prescription (Rx) pads are not sufficient.
• Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) and 504 Plans, although providing historical evidence of services and accommodations, are not considered sufficient documentation, unless they contain required information. However, may be used as a supplement to more current documentation.

 

Interactive Process

The "interactive process" for students refers to a collaborative discussion between a student with a disability and the Student Life Office to identify and implement reasonable academic accommodations that address their specific needs, ensuring equal access to education; this typically involves discussing the student's limitations, reviewing documentation, and determining appropriate adjustments to coursework or learning environment.

 

Faculty may also participate in the interactive process with the student and Student Life Office. Their participation ensures the accommodation(s) do not fundamentally alter course outcomes and provides clarity as to how the accommodation will be implemented.

 

Common Accommodations

Test Accommodations: Students may qualify for testing accommodations, such as extra time for

exams or testing in a private room. These will need to be scheduled with the Testing Center at least 48 hours prior to the exam. Students with testing accommodations should inform their instructors that they would like to use their testing accommodations when the exam is announced.

 

Seating Accommodations: Students who qualify for seating accommodations should let

instructors know in advance if you will be sitting in a particular seat. The Student Life Office

provides accessible seating which will be placed in the classroom prior to the start of the

semester. If a classroom does not have accessible seating, please inform the Student Life Office as soon as possible.

 

Increased Font Size: Instructors should be informed in advance if a student will be using increased font size for handouts. Any materials that are not in a large font may be accessed using the Topaz reader in the library or by bringing them to the Student Life staff to enlarge. Audiobooks: Students using audiobooks will receive their books on a jump drive after purchasing the paper version. They will need to download the book onto a reader program (such as www.naturalreaders.com). Jump drives need to be returned to the Student Life Office at the end of each semester. Books that are not available from the publisher in electronic format can be converted into a PDF document by the Student Life office. Students who do not return their jump drive will be fined $20.00 as a replacement free.

 

Extended Time for Assignments: Students who need extended ti me for assignments should discuss an implementation plan with their instructor at the beginning of the semester. Extended time must not be excessive. All work must be completed by the last day of the course. The extended time may be denied if it fundamentally alters the format or objectives of the course. This should be discussed and agreed on by the student and instructor at the beginning of the semester.

 

Extended Absences: Extended absences should be scheduled with an instructor in advance. If an absence is unexpected, e-mail or call your instructor on the first day of your absence. Instructors may limit extended absences in order to conserve the integrity of the course. Extended absences may only be used for disability-related purposes.

 

Recording Devices: Students may check out an audio-recorder from the Student Life Office to record their class lectures and discussion. They may also use a recording app on their phone. Recordings are for personal use only and should be disposed of at the end of the semester. Recording devices must be returned at the end of the semester. Students who do not return their recording device will be fined $45.00 as a replacement fee.

 

Housing: If it is determined appropriate to provide housing accommodations (private room, bed shaker, emotional support animal, etc.), the Student Life Office will notify housing by providing them a copy of the accommodation letter.

 

Accommodation Letter

Once appropriate documentation has been received, evaluated, and accommodations have been agreed upon through the interactive process, an Accommodation Letter will be generated by the Student Accommodation Specialist.

The Accommodation Letter lists the student's approved accommodation as agreed upon in the interactive process. All accommodation letters are shared via Faculty and Student email with encryption. Students can request a copy of their accommodation be sent to a personal email as well, but due to FERPA privacy, student email is always the best choice.

Accommodation begins when the instructor receives the Accommodation Letter virtually. Accommodation is never provided retroactively. A student may seek academic accommodation at any time during a term.

Purpose

This grievance procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. This grievance procedure is designed to provide a process for students who believe their rights as a student with a disability have been violated in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by Western Wyoming College.

 

Students with disabilities are required to request accommodation through the Western Student Life Office and make every effort to resolve problems on an informal basis with that office prior to filing a formal grievance. If attempts to resolve issues at the informal level are not possible, a formal grievance should be filed in writing to the 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinator. The College will make every effort to ensure that problems are fully explored while the privacy of the students involved is respected. Alternate formats for filing complaints will be made available for a person with a disability, upon request.

 

The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution shall not be impaired by the person's right to other remedies such as filing an ADA complaint with a federal department or agency. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to other options.

 

Definitions

A. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act - Extends civil rights to people with disabilities. It allows for reasonable accommodations based on a student's specific disability and essential elements of the college's educational program, course or activity.

B. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.

C. 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinator-Person designated by the president to represent student ADA concerns. The Vice President of Student Services is the student representative for formal ADA grievances

D. Complainant -Is the person filing a complaint in accordance with the Informal Grievance Process.

E. Discrimination -The unjust or prejudicial treatment of a student with a disability.

F. Respondent -Is the person against whom the formal grievance is filed.

G. Working Days-Any day the College's administrative offices are open.

H. Alternate Format-Written statements may be presented in alternate formats such as tape recordings, personal interviews, large print, or Braille upon request.

I. Accessible Format-Written responses may be delivered in different formats such as large text, Braille or audio format, upon request.

 

Procedures

A. Complaint process prior to filing a grievance

If the accommodation is not working or is not being implemented effectively this process is

designed to re-engage the interactive process and rectify the situation.

 

The student should contact the Student Accommodation Specialist in the Student Life Office. A meeting will be scheduled to determine the course of action needed to

make the correction. This could include but is not limited to finding another

accommodation, working with the instructor to clarify the need, or clarifying the

accommodation with the student.

 

If the Student Accommodation Specialist is not able to correct the accommodation

implementation to the satisfaction of the student, the student should then contact the

Dean of Students to schedule a meeting to discuss resolving the accommodation issue.

 

If a satisfactory resolution has not been reached at this point the student should speak to

the 504/Title IX compliance coordinator to begin either the informal or formal grievance process.

B. Informal Grievance Procedures

The informal grievance procedure is a verbal process that must be started within twenty (20) working days of the alleged discrimination.

 

1) It is strongly recommended that the complaint be discussed initially between the people involved. Most misunderstandings and problems can be resolved in this manner. The initial complaint should be made to the 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinator. The 504 Coordinator has ten (10) working days from the date of notification to resolve the complaint. A written record will be filed in the 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinators office

 

C. Formal Grievance Procedure

If the complainant has been unable to resolve the complaint or problem using the Informal Grievance Procedure, the complainant may proceed with the steps below:

 

1) The Formal Grievance Procedure begins with a written (or alternate format) statement, which

must be filed within ten (10) working days after the failure to resolve the complaint informally.

 

2) The written (or alternate format) statement from the grievant to the 504/Title IX Compliance

Coordinator shall contain the following:

a. A description of the alleged events and action(s) of all parties involved

b. The date of the alleged occurrence

c. Solutions which were proposed and why they were unacceptable

d. Detailed description of the remedy sought.

e. The complaint should be addressed to:

Western Wyoming College 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinator

2500 College Drive

Rock Springs, WY 82901

 

Relief or Remedy Sought by the Complainant

1) In reviewing the grievance, the 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinator shall request written (or

alternate format) statements from the respondent or anyone else directly involved. These individuals have five (5) working days after the date the request is received from the administrator to submit any statements they wish to be considered. The 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinator has the right to request additional information as needed. A decision of the findings will be sent to the grievant in an accessible format and respondent within ten (10) working days of the receipt of submitted and requested information (including face-to-face interviews if necessary).

 

2) The 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinator will maintain files and records of the grievance.

a. The decision of the 504/Title IX Compliance Coordinator is final as it pertains to this grievance process.