Student Accessibility Services

Students who wish to request alternative media must be approved for accommodations through the Student Accessibility Services. Students must request alternative media in a timely manner as publishers often get overwhelmed with requests at the beginning of each semester.

Publishers who provide alternative media require proof of purchase of the textbook. Students must provide the Student Accessibility Services with copies of receipts to show the book has been purchased. Copies of receipts may be retained in office files. Once purchases have been verified the Student Accessibility Services will work with current resources to obtain the textbook(s) in an alternative format. The Student Accessibility Services will inform the student when the alternative media is available.

The student may not violate the copyright of the book by reproducing or distributing the alternative media.

Staff in the Student Accessibility Services strive to treat all personal information with the strictest confidentiality. During the intake process Student Accessibility Services staff and the student will discuss the Confidentiality Policy and what the student should expect.

Student information gathered for use in the Student Accessibility Services is considered education records under FERPA (Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act). Student Accessibility Services staff may release information to college faculty and staff on a “need to know” basis. The need to know must be based on compelling and legitimate educational reasons for the sharing of information. Student Accessibility Services staff will not routinely inform faculty and staff of the nature of an individual student’s disability. College policy requires that accommodations are provided once the Student Accessibility Services has verified the existence of a disability and interacted with the student to identify reasonable accommodations. On occasion, college staff other than the Student Accessibility Services may require student information for completion of required reporting or for internal auditing and monitoring. Every attempt will be made to maintain confidentiality standards identified in this document.

Students are encouraged to obtain and keep copies of their documentation for future use. They may request this documentation be released to persons or entities outside of the College; however, written authorization to release confidential information will be obtained from the student before any such information is released. This includes releasing information to parents. Third party documentation sent directly to the Student Accessibility Services may, at the discretion of Student Accessibility Services staff, require written authorization from the third party before it can be released to the student or to another agency or postsecondary institution.

Physical files and documentation of a student’s disability may be destroyed following the College’s record retention policy.

Requests for a course substitution or waiver due to a disability are considered on a case-by-case basis. The following steps should be followed:

• Students requesting this accommodation should first meet with the Student Accessibility Services staff, who will conduct an intake interview with the student. At the time of this meeting, the student should be prepared to present information to support his/her request such as:
  • Documentation of disability from a licensed professional.
  • History, if any, of previous attempts at course for which waiver or substitution is being requested.
  • Current transcript.
  • Letters of support from professionals and faculty members who can attest to student’s difficulty with subject matter, attempts at successfully completing the required course, class attendance, use of support services such as tutoring and study skills instruction, etc.
  • General Petition form available online or from the Registrar’s Office.
• The Student Accessibility Services will follow the steps outlined in the Accommodation Policy with regard to an in-take interview with the student and review of documentation provided by the student.
• The Student Accessibility Services will determine whether the student has a disability and is eligible for reasonable accommodations. Approval or denial of a course waiver or substitution shall not be the sole responsibility of the Student Accessibility Services. A committee shall be convened to determine whether a course waiver or substitution will lower academic standards or substantially modify the program of study. Members of the committee may include, but are not limited to: student’s faculty advisor, division manager for the program of study in which the student is enrolled, general education division manager, faculty responsible for delivery of the course being considered, faculty who delivered previously attempted coursework in relevant subject matter by student, a representative from the Student Accessibility Services, and a representative from the Registrar’s Office.

The following decisions may be reached by the committee:

• Request approved for a course substitution with recommendations for an appropriate alternative course.
• Request approved for a course waiver, considering the graduation requirements for the student’s program.
• Request denied. The student will be provided the reason(s) for denial.

If the initial request is denied by the Student Accessibility Services or the request is denied by the Committee, the student has the right to appeal either decision using the Student Grievance Procedure outline in the Student Handbook. Appeals will be submitted to the Dean of Student Affairs.

College of Eastern Idaho is committed to communicating effectively with individuals who have communication disabilities. The goal is to ensure that communication with people with these disabilities is equally effective as communication with people without disabilities.

College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) is committed to providing educational opportunities to all qualified individuals. In doing so, CEI complies with federal civil rights laws: the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) as amended in 2008 (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities. The ADA guarantees that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities to participate in these areas as people without disabilities. To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability, which is defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities which receive federal financial assistance. Section 504 states: No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States. . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . .” At the postsecondary level, the recipient (CEI) is required to provide students with appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services that are necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in a school’s program. CEI is not required to make adjustments or provide aids or services that would result in a fundamental alteration of its programs or impose an undue burden. Students with disabilities must meet the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in College of Eastern Idaho’s programs or activities. CEI may not impose upon students with disabilities other rules, such as the prohibition of tape recorders in classrooms or of service animals in campus buildings, that have the effect of limiting the participation of students with disabilities in CEI’s educational programs or activities.

College of Eastern Idaho has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the ADAAA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If an individual with a disability believes he/she has been discriminated against he/she has the right to file a grievance by following the steps below. College of Eastern Idaho’s SAS has been given the responsibility of determining and approving a student’s need for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids. All requests for accommodations or assistance should first be filed with the SAS, following the College’s published accommodations request procedure. If the student believes the SAS’s decision is discriminatory on the basis of disability, the student should first meet with the SAS to review the decision. If an acceptable conclusion cannot be reached, the student may request a review of the decision as follows:

Within ten (10) working days of the decision, send a letter requesting a review to the College’s Dean of Student Affairs. Include the following:

• Name and address of the person filing the complaint
• Date of original accommodation or assistance request
• Accommodation or service requested
• Reason for the request
• Reason the Student Accessibility Services’ decision is not deemed to be appropriate, reasonable, or effective

The Dean of Student Affairs will review the information and meet separately with the student andothers as needed and then will render a decision within five (5) working days. Written notice of the decision will be sent to the complainant. If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision, he/she may request a review by the Campus Appeals Committee. See Steps 3 and 4 of the Student Appeal Procedures as published in the Student Handbook.

If a complaint is brought by a student regarding denial or modification of an accommodation, academic adjustment, and/or auxiliary aid request:

• The decision of the Student Accessibility Services to provide or deny said accommodation shall be implemented until such time as a formal resolution of the grievance procedure is achieved.

If a faculty member shall refuse to provide an accommodation, academic adjustment, and/or auxiliary aid in accordance with the Student Accessibility Services’ written notice, the student should:

• Request the Student Accessibility Services’ assistance in resolving the dispute.
• The Student Accessibility Services will then meet with the faculty member, or other faculty and administration officials as appropriate in order to attempt to resolve the complaint.
• In the event the Student Accessibility Services is unable to resolve the complaint within five (5) working days of the request, the Student Accessibility Services will refer the matter to the Dean of Student Affairs.
  • The Dean of Student Affairs will follow the process as outlined above.
• The Student Accessibility Services will notify the student of such action and provide all pertinent information to the Dean of Student Affairs.

If a complaint is brought by a student, community member or other individual regarding accessibility issues related to CEI buildings, grounds, or on-campus events:

• The individual should request the Student Accessibility Services assistance in resolving the dispute in writing within ten (10) working days after the issue is identified.
• The Student Accessibility Services will then to attempt to resolve the complaint.
• If a resolution cannot be reached within five (5) working days, the Student Accessibility Services will refer the matter to the Dean of Student Affairs.
  • The Dean of Student Affairs will follow the process as outlined above.

Students with a disability are welcome to participate in CEI Early College Programs if they meet eligibility requirements.  College educational accommodations are often different than high school accommodations.  Early College students with a disability, 504, or IEP should contact the Student Accessibility Services to establish accommodations for CEI classes. 

College accommodations cannot alter the course material or the course outcomes.
The same work is always completed, but it may be completed or accessed in a different way.

The standard that is followed with all accommodations is “access”. We want all students to have
fair access to material, and to be able to show what they have learned.

Examples of appropriate accommodations:
“The student will be provided with extended time on all in class exams and quizzes.”
“The student will have access to all books in digital format to allow for the use of a screen reader.”

Examples of inappropriate accommodations for dual credit:
“The student will only complete the even answers on homework assignments.”
“The student will be allowed to use their textbook on all tests.”

If you have questions about specific accommodations for early college students, please call the Student Accessibility Services at College of Eastern Idaho at 208-535-5462.

Requests for notetaking services, and other reasonable accommodations, are considered on a case-by-case basis. There are several different types of notetaking services. Through an interactive process the Student Accessibility Services the student with a disability will determine the most effective form of notetaking accommodation.

Types of Notetaking Services

• Livescribe Pen
• Computerized pens which record the lecture and synch the notes with the recording. Pens are available for checkout each semester from the Student Accessibility Services/library.
• It is preferred, but not required, that a student notify an instructor when a recording device is being used.
• Digital/tape recorder for recording lectures
• Students with disabilities are encouraged to utilize a tape recorder when needed.
• It is preferred, but not required, that a student notify an instructor when a recording device is being used.
• Peer note taker
• Peer note takers may be recruited from the classes in which a student with a disability is enrolled. Every attempt will be made to maintain confidentiality for the student who is receiving this service. Notes are for the student with a disability only – they may not be shared.
• Cell phone apps
• There are a number of free or low-cost cell phone apps available for notetaking.

• Are entitled to equal access to participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the College.
• Must meet the College’s admission standards as outlined in the current catalog.
• Must, in a timely manner, self-identify as a student with a disability seeking reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and, when requested, provide written documentation from a licensed professional.
• To ensure that the Student Accessibility Services is aware of enrollment status, and request accommodations each semester
• To rescind, in writing, at any time written permission given to the Student Accessibility Services to acquire or share confidential information.
• To discuss with instructors, as needed, approved accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids.
• To appeal, in writing, any request for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/ or auxiliary aids denied by the Student Accessibility Services.
• To notify the Student Accessibility Services should any problems with requested and approved accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids arise during the semester.
• To expect that no employee or representative of the College engages in retaliatory conduct against a student who exercises his/her rights under the ADA/ADAAA.
• To report any such retaliatory conduct to the Student Accessibility Services, or to the Dean of Student Affairs, who may then conduct an investigation.

Trained service animals* are allowed in campus buildings. All service animals must be on a leash or under control, and attended at all times unless otherwise approved by the Student Accessibility Services.

*Definition:
Service Animals:
Department of Justice rules and regulations, which went into effect March 15, 2011, define a “service animal” as a dog [or miniature horse*] which has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. According to the rules, the animal must be “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.” The rules state that the work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Examples of tasks may include, but are not limited to, guiding an individual who is blind or has a visual impairment, providing stability or balance to individuals with mobility impairments, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to a sound, reminding a person to take medication, pressing an elevator button, or calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
A service animal on CEI’s campus is required to be under the control of its handler. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the individual’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of tasks. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it usually would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.
The individual with the service animal cannot be asked about the nature or extent of his/her disability. Nor can they be asked to provide documentation or proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal. When the service animal’s tasks are not evident, CEI staff and faculty are permitted to only ask the following questions:

• Is the animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

CEI faculty and staff may not require that the service animal demonstrate the tasks it has been trained to complete.

Responsibilities of Service Animals and Their Partners/Handlers

• The animal must be on a leash or harness, or otherwise under control, at all times as indicated above.
• The partner/handler shall be in control of the service animal at all times.

If the service animal is not housebroken, is unruly or disruptive and not under control of the handler, or poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, the College may ask the partner/handler to remove the service animal. Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If the dispute cannot be settled by the partner/handler and the Student Accessibility Services, a grievance may be filed by following the published procedure as found in the Student Accessibility Services section of the CEI Catalog or website.

*Refer to the Department of Justice rule § 35.136 “Service Animals” for information regarding use of a miniature horse as a service animal.

College of Eastern Idaho is committed to providing educational opportunities to all qualified individuals. The College does not typically have American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or real-time transcribers on staff. Every attempt will be made to arrange for interpreters and/or transcribers provided the request is made in a timely manner.

Cancellation/No Show Policy:
While the Student Accessibility Services understands that emergencies may occur, it is important that students make every attempt to notify the Student Accessibility Services as soon as possible if a change to arranged ASL or other services will occur.

• If the instructor cancels a class it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Student Accessibility Services as soon as possible (within 24 hours, if possible).
• If the student knows he/she will miss a scheduled class, the student is responsible for notifying the Student Accessibility Services as soon as possible (within 24 hours, if possible)
• If an emergency arises, the student is responsible for notifying the Student Accessibility Services as soon as possible.

Failure to provide 24-hour notice may result in the following actions:

1. First occurrence – a letter or e-mail will be sent to the student reminding the student of policy and procedures related to interpreter services.
2. Second occurrence – a letter or e-mail will be sent advising the student he/she has failed to give 24-hour notice twice and that a third occurrence may result in suspension of services until the student meets with Student Accessibility Services staff.
3. Third occurrence – Interpreter services may be suspended with a letter or e-mail being sent to student, who must then meet with Student Accessibility Services staff before consideration will be given to reinitiate services.