Welcome to Accessibility Resources (AR). We are glad you are here!
AR is a center for disability education, awareness, and resources for students, staff, and faculty. AR Staff are available to help students with disabilities (SWDs) as they move through college toward their academic goal. AR Staff accomplish this by facilitating accessibility and accommodations for qualified students, ensuring equal access for participation in all campus programs and activities.
IMPORTANT: Every individual situation is unique; regardless of what medical documentation you may or may not have, please contact our office to have a discussion about how we may be able to support your academic goals. We understand both generally - and during these times of COVID19 - obtaining documentation may be difficult and we want to work with you to address academic barriers you may be experiencing.
AR is a center for disability and accessibility education, student development, and resources for students. The professionals who work in AR ensure students with disabilities have equal access for participation in campus courses, programs, and activities. Once a student registers with AR, they are regarded as a student with a disability and receives protection against disability discrimination based on federal and state law.
To apply:
Once AR receives your application:
If you have specific questions about this process, please email ar@btc.edu.
Accessibility Resources (AR) at Bellingham Technical College is committed to providing a place for students with disabilities to grow and develop as adult learners. As students with disabilities become their own advocates, they take on specific responsibilities as college students and are responsible for much of their own learning. AR will do their best to help families understand the expectations we have for their students, as well as connect students and families with the resources necessary to promote student learning. The individual advising and collaborative interactions students experience with Accessibility Resources professionals are intentionally designed to help students identify and articulate their strengths and challenges as they prepare to pursue a career path.
NOTE TO PARENTS AND THIRD-PARTY SUPPORT STAFF:
We understand that the transition from High School to College can be difficult for parents as well as students. Please keep in mind, college students are expected to do their own work, fill out/submit forms, and engage with campus staff/faculty independently. College staff and faculty are not required to provide information to parents or third-party advocates on student progress, attendance, grades or accommodations.
Any third party individual (parent, vocational counselor, etc.) who logs into any BTC student portal (Canvas, myAR, ctcLink, etc.) with someone else's student identification and credentials constitutes improper use and is in violation of State and Federal Privacy Laws.
Accessibility Resources staff will not meet with parents or third-party advocates without the student present. Accessibility Resources staff also reserve the right to meet with the student alone. It is expected the student will communicate their needs to AR as an adult learner. Requests by parents or third-party advocates will not be accepted.
U.S. Department of Ed: Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educator
In college, accommodations do not roll over from quarter to quarter. It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations each quarter they would like to use them. While AR does their best to remind students, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility. Accommodations are not retroactive.
Go to the myAR page to renew your accommodation.
Bellingham Technical College is committed to providing qualified students with a disability an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights and privileges of college services, programs, and activities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and State of Washington Laws of 1994, Chapter 105 ensure that students not be discriminated against due to their disability.
Under the ADA, a person with a disability is someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
The college will work collaboratively with each student in determining reasonable accommodations. To ensure the delivery of accommodations for which the student qualifies, students shall:
IMPORTANT!
All students are subject to the Academic Standards of Progress Policy and the Student Conduct Code as outlined in the current BTC Catalog.
This information guide was designed to assist faculty and staff in interacting with students with disabilities at the post-secondary level.
While every effort has been made to insure completeness and accuracy, this is not a legal document nor is it intended to offer legal advice or a legal opinion.
Colleges and universities are covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. In 1994, Washington State passed legislation adding new sections to 28B.10 RCW that expresses the same intent as Section 504 and the ADA.
Title V of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is generally regarded as the first civil rights legislation for people with disabilities on the national level.
Section 504 of the Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity offered by an entity or institution receiving federal funds. Since 1977, all institutions receiving federal funding have been required to provide appropriate reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States ... shall, solely on the basis of disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance.
Section 504 defines a person with a disability as "... someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities."
The ADA is a federal civil rights statute designed to remove barriers which prevent qualified individuals with disabilities from enjoying the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities.
Colleges are covered in many ways under the ADA. Employment is addressed by Title 1, accessibility provided by public and private entities Titles 11 and 111, and miscellaneous items are covered under Title V.
Under the ADA, a person with a disability is someone with, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. A person is considered to be a person with a disability under the law if he/she has the disability, has a record of the disability, or is regarded as having the disability.
Under both Section 504 and the ADA, the term "auxiliary aids and services" include: qualified interpreters, note takers, transcription services, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, qualified readers, taped text, Braille materials, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, or other similar services and actions.
Under Washington State Law (28B. 10 RCW), "... institutions of higher education are obligated to provide services to students with disabilities." The definition of disability follows the federal guidelines. "Reasonable accommodations" include certain "core services" which are outlined in the statute. It also establishes a grievance procedure for students to follow if they believe discrimination has taken place.
Institutions that receive federal funds are covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The ADA does not supplant Section 504, but in those situations where the ADA provides greater protection, the ADA standards apply. Washington State law does not confer any new or expanded rights, but is intended to provide a clearer, more succinct statement of those rights than previously existed.
NOTE: Private colleges and universities are covered under Title III of the ADA, unless they are wholly owned and operated by religious organizations.
No. However, it is the college's responsibility to notify students of services available for students with disabilities. You should inform all students of services and/or programs available at the college for students who need accommodations due to a disability, and how to access those services.
No. A student does not have to inform the faculty or staff member about their disability, but only the needed accommodations. If you have a question regarding the need for the accommodation, then you may contact your Accessibility Resources office. This office will have documentation regarding the student's disability on file. They cannot give details about the disability, unless the student has signed a written consent form, but can inform you if the student has a documented disability and if the accommodation requested is appropriate. The student may disclose their disability to you. You are then obligated to maintain confidentiality regarding the student's disability. It is important to remember that the confidential nature of disability-related information has been an overarching principle of nondiscrimination since Section 504.
If you disagree with the academic accommodation requested, you should discuss your disagreement with the Accessibility Resources provider, but you should continue to provide the accommodation. An instructor may not forbid a student's use of an aid if that prohibition limits the student's participation in the school program.
Section 504 states:
A recipient may not impose upon handicapped students other rules, such as the prohibition of tape recorders in classrooms or of dog guides in campus building, that have the effect of limiting the participation of handicapped students in the recipient's education program or activity.
Often faculty members are concerned with the use of a tape recorder, in their classroom because it may infringe on their freedom of speech or potential copyrighted material. The instructor may ask the student to sign an agreement that states that they will only use the recordings for their personal use. It is important to remember that under the ADA it appropriate accommodations are not provided to the student YOU, as well as the institution can be held liable for monetary damages.
Providing accommodations should not be regarded as giving students "special privileges", but rather as equalizing the impact of the student's disability to the greatest extent possible. Institutions are not mandated to make changes in requirements that would result in a major or substantial change in essential elements of the curriculum. The institution has the right to set academic standards, but the institution must prove that a requested accommodations would create a substantial change. The burden of proof lies with the institution.
It is important that the students be treated the same and with equity. The legislation does not intend that institutions pass students because they have a disability, and it is important to expect the same academic performance, with requested accommodation, from the student with a disability as from a student without a disability.
Yes. Most institutions require that the student indicate the need for an accommodation within a reasonable advance time. This is not always possible, but it is important to provide the accommodations as soon as possible.
What can I do to make the classroom environment open to students with disabilities?
There are many that have had little or no contact with people with disabilities. It is important to remember that people with disabilities are just that-people first. Here are a few easy-to-remember tips:
It is up to the student and the Accessibility Resources office to determine what type of accommodation is needed. If you question the accommodation, contact the Accessibility Resources office. There is not one type of accommodation for all students with disabilities. Each accommodation must be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Yes. International students are entitled to the same protection from nondiscrimination on the basis of disability as are U.S. citizens. However, if a student has limited English skills due to being a non-native speaker, and not due to a disability, this would not qualify them as a person with a disability under the law.
Each institution is responsible for the provision of appropriate auxiliary aids and services at no cost to the student. Each institution may determine which department pays for a particular accommodation. The institution cannot place a limit on its expenditure for auxiliary aids or services, or refuse to provide auxiliary aids because it believes that other providers of these services exist. The institution may work with an outside agency, such as Vocational Rehabilitation, to assist in obtaining an item or service.
First ask the student. He/she is the best source of information about their disability. Second, contact the Accessibility Resources office or another office that acts as a resource for students with disabilities.
The legislation is very explicit about this. Persons with disabilities are entitled to participate in the most integrated settings possible. If a teacher conducts field trips or special programs, accommodations must be offered. If an institution offers transportation to students going on a field trip, it must offer accessible transportation for students with disabilities. For example, a student who uses a wheelchair is enrolled in your class, and you decide to use a college van to take the students to a museum. You must offer transportation to the student with a disability. The student may accept or refuse the accessible transportation.
If a student is denied equal access, auxiliary aids, or services, they can file a complaint under Section 504 with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education or under the ADA Titles 11 and III which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice. The student may file with both offices. Under ADA, monetary damages may be enforced and the student may name both an individual, such as a professor, and the institution in the complaint. An employee can be personally liable, as well as the institution, if named in the complaint.
Yes. The legislation states any student with a disability shall be given equal access to programs or services offered to all students.