Beacon College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable laws and regulations. The college recognizes the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment and strives to ensure that all students can fully participate in its programs, services, and activities. The student is responsible for informing faculty and staff of accommodation requests. To request one or more accommodations the following steps must be taken — all documents must be submitted through the myBeacon portal.
Step 1: Complete Beacon College Disability Accommodations Form.
Step 2: Submit medical documentation regarding accommodations pertaining to the disability.
Step 3: Participate in possible interviews relating to requested needs and accommodations.
Purpose
The purpose of this Disability Accommodation Policy is to outline the college’s commitment and procedures for providing reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. This policy aims to create an accessible and supportive educational environment that promotes the academic success, personal growth, and well-being of students with disabilities.
The Beacon Difference
Beacon College offers several universal accommodations already included in all of our programs.
Universal Accommodations
- Step-by-step instructions, orally and in writing
- Material presented in segments
- Use of assistive technology
- Preferential seating
- Option to take tests in a quiet, monitored room
- Option to have a reader for exams
- Use of a calculator
- Electronic/printed class lecture notes
- Access to instructors for clarification of material
- Repetition and review of auditory information
Scope
This policy applies to all students with disabilities enrolled in courses or participating in programs, services, or activities at Beacon College. It also applies to faculty, staff, and other members of the college community who have responsibilities related to the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities.
Definitions
Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as defined by the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Reasonable Accommodation: A modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, or activity that enables a student with a disability to have equal access and opportunity to participate. So long as it does not result in undue financial or administrative hardship on the institution or fundamentally alter academic requirements that are essential to the educational program, practice, course, or standard of instruction.
Responsibilities
- Disability Services Coordinator: The Disability Services Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the college’s efforts to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and serving as the primary contact for students seeking accommodations.
- Faculty and Staff: Faculty and staff are responsible for implementing approved accommodations in their courses, programs, services, or activities and for maintaining the confidentiality of students’ disability-related information.
- Students: Students with disabilities are responsible for disclosing their disability to the Disability Services Coordinator, providing appropriate documentation, and requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Procedures for Requesting Accommodations
- Documentation: Students with disabilities seeking accommodations must provide documentation that meets the college’s guidelines, which may include a diagnosis, a description of functional limitations, and recommendations for accommodations from a qualified clinician. Complete the forms, and upload all documentation in the myBeacon portal.
- Accommodation Request: Students should submit a written request for accommodations to the Disability Services Coordinator along with the required documentation. Requests are encouraged to be submitted prior to the start of the semester to allow for the optimal outcome. Requests for accommodations will be accepted throughout the academic year; however, please note due to scheduled breaks, a response to requested accommodations should not be expected until one (1) week prior to the start of the semester. Students must apply each year they are requesting an accommodation.
- Review and Approval: The Disability Services Coordinator will review the documentation with the Disability Accommodation Committee and consult with the student and relevant faculty or staff as necessary to determine appropriate accommodations based on the student’s specific needs, the essential requirements of the course, program, service, or activity, and an analysis regarding whether the requested accommodation is reasonable.
- Notification: The Disability Services Coordinator will notify the student and relevant faculty or staff of approved accommodations while maintaining the confidentiality of the student’s disability-related information.
- Implementation: Faculty and staff are responsible for implementing the approved accommodations in consultation with the Disability Services Coordinator and the student.
Confidentiality
Beacon College will maintain the confidentiality of all disability-related information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Disability-related information will only be shared with faculty and staff members who have a legitimate need to know in order to implement approved accommodations.
Grievance Procedure
Students who believe they have been denied reasonable accommodations or have experienced discrimination on the basis of their disability should follow the college’s established grievance procedure which can be found in the Beacon College Student Handbook.
Amendments
This policy may be amended as necessary to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations or to address the evolving needs of the college community. Amendments will be approved by the appropriate college administration and disseminated via official college communication channels.