Salish Kootenai College is committed to providing educational opportunities for students with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are provided for eligible students with identified disabilities. The College complies with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
SKC uses the definition of disability contained in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which states that an individual with disability is anyone who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Has a record of such an impairment
- Is regarded as having such an impairment.
Note: Students with diagnosed alcohol or drug abuse impairment qualify for services only when not actively engaged in the use of those substances. Individuals with temporary injuries or impairments (e.g. broken arm) should discuss course modifications directly with their instructor.
For additional information, check out College Resources for Students with Disabilities
Who is Eligible for Accommodations?
An eligible student is one who otherwise meets the academic and technical standards necessary for admission into a program or participation in a course.
In order to receive accommodations, students must meet the following criteria:
- Have a documented disability (documentation must be supplied) that
- Presents a significant barrier to the educational process, and
- The student must request services from the Disabilities Officer.
Reasonable accommodations refer to modifications necessary for students with disabilities to provide equal access to college programs and activities. An accommodation is not deemed reasonable if it fundamentally alters an essential element of an academic standard or program. Reasonable accommodations may include elimination of physical barriers, when possible, as well as academic accommodations when appropriate.
Student Rights & Responsibilities
Students with disabilities are entitled to accommodations in college. However, the responsibilities of the student and the types of accommodations that may be offered differ between high school and college.
Students with disabilities have the right to:
- reasonable accommodations, appropriate academic adjustments, and reasonable auxiliary aids and services
- privacy with regards to disability-related information, except as disclosures required or permitted by law
- equal access to programs, activities, courses and services
Students with disabilities have the responsibility to:
- meet all academic requirements of the College
- disclose their disability to the Disability Services office as early as possible to request accommodations
- speak with professors early in the quarter regarding accommodation needs
- provide the required documentation of disability
- follow processes for requesting accommodations
NOTE: Prior history of accommodation does not guarantee similar accommodations at the college level. The College is not obligated to make an adjustment that would fundamentally alter any essential elements of a course/program. Once issued, grades for an assignment or for a course are not altered if a student later discloses a disability.
Process for Requesting Accommodations
Upon admission to the College, students with physical, psychological, and/or learning disabilities can register with the Disability Officer and request academic accommodations. Disclosure of disability is strictly voluntary. The College’s admission process is independent from consideration of student disabilities. Records maintained by the Disability Officer are maintained separately from enrollment and registration records.
A student requesting accommodations may be required to provide documentation of the related disability, such as a written statement from a physician or psychologist. The student should also be prepared to discuss the types of accommodations they may need.
The student may contact the College’s Disability Services Coordinator, Silas Perez (silas_perez@skc.edu, 406.275.4968) to schedule an appointment to discuss available services. The Disability Services Coordinator will assist the student by providing recommendations for appropriate accommodations or other services.
Examples of accommodations that may be provided for eligible students who have registered with the Disability Officer may include:
- Extra time for exams
- Exams given in a distraction free setting
- Assistive Equipment such as tape recorders
- Note Takers or Readers
- Certain types of physical equipment
Salish Kootenai College Rights & Responsibilities
Salish Kootenai College does not provide diagnosis or treatment of disabilities.
College Rights
- Require and maintain academic standards in all College academic programs.
- Request and review, on a case-by-case basis, appropriate and relevant documentation of an identified disability, completed by an appropriate professional source, to verify the disability and identify the need for reasonable accommodation(s).
- Deny a request for accommodations if the documentation does not meet the necessary criteria to determine the needs of the student, is not provided in a timely manner, if the accommodation request is unreasonable or contrary to the academic standards set by the College.
College Responsibilities
- Require and maintain academic standards in all College academic programs.
- Request and review, on a case-by-case basis, appropriate and relevant documentation of an identified disability, completed by an appropriate professional source, to verify the disability and identify the need for reasonable accommodation(s).
- Deny a request for accommodations if the documentation does not meet the necessary criteria to determine the needs of the student, is not provided in a timely manner, if the accommodation request is unreasonable or contrary to the academic standards set by the College.
Reasonable Accommodations
- The College is not required to offer or provide accommodation to admit or to continue to admit an individual with a disability to any particular program, course, service, and/or to provide educational opportunities and other services when:
- the educational standards or mission of Salish Kootenai College would be substantially altered;
- the nature of the program, course, service and/or activity would be fundamentally altered;
- the student is not otherwise qualified (with or without accommodations) to meet the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in an education program, course, service and/or activity;
- the effects of the disability cannot be overcome even with reasonable accommodation;
- the individual would not be able to complete the program, course, service and/or activity, even with reasonable accommodation;
- an undue financial or administrative hardship (College-wide) would be caused by the accommodation;
- if the individual would still pose a direct threat to the health or safety of himself/herself or others.
Apply now and enjoy a unique educational experience that blends Western academic knowledge with Native American perspectives and practices. Benefit from smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and opportunities for hands-on learning and research. Join a supportive community that values cultural diversity and academic excellence, and prepare for a successful career and leadership role in your community. Apply today and start your journey towards a brighter future at SKC!