Student Services

Students with disabilities who seek services are responsible for contacting Access & Disability Resources every semester. Common accommodations include extended test time, alternative formatting for course materials, adaptive classroom furniture, screen readers, recording devices, private testing spaces, and copies of notes. Reasonable accommodations are determined in an interactive process that ensures that you have the accommodations you need to be successful.

Prior planning is the key to ensuring you receive timely and appropriate services. During your initial meeting with the Director of Access & Disability Resources, you will discuss your goals and potential barriers. The ADR department will work with you throughout your time at Saint Paul College to ensure that you have the resources that you need to be successful. Please note that accommodation practices in college are different from those in high school. Accommodation requests that ask academic departments to fundamentally alter their programs or that are determined to be unreasonable will not be provided. You are responsible for providing the Office of Access & Disability Resources with appropriate documentation as it relates to your disability and the accommodations you are requesting. Your disability information is maintained separately from your academic record in compliance with federal and state data practice laws.

Students are highly encouraged to apply to Saint Paul College using the online application before enrolling with Access & Disability Resources. If you need accommodations for a placement exam, please let us know before taking the exam.

How to get started with Access and Disability Resources:

• Enroll in classes; please bring a copy of your class schedule to your intake appointment
• Obtain documentation of your disability (see below)
• Schedule an intake appointment with Access and Disability Resources by calling 651-350-3008 or by emailing accessresources@mikeshiner.com. If you need an ASL interpreter, please let us know when setting up your appointment. Bring your documentation to your intake meeting and discuss what reasonable accommodations you may need during your time at Saint Paul College.

Documentation should include:

• Name, Saint Paul College TECH ID number or STARID number, and date of birth
• Diagnosis and name of the evaluator
• Current functional limitations and/or symptoms related to an academic setting

Examples of documentation include but are not limited to:

• High school IEP, IEP evaluation, or 504/508 plan
• Diagnostic assessment report
• A letter from your health care provider (mental health therapist, family counselor, chiropractor, etc.)
• A completed disability documentation form (can be obtained by emailing our office or stopping in)
• A letter from a county worker, vocational rehabilitation counselor, shelter social worker, etc.

Saint Paul College does not provide diagnostic testing for disabilities. Students, however, who believe they may have a disability are invited to meet with ADR staff to discuss their concerns.

Student Rights
All students have the right to:

• Equal opportunity to learn, work and receive reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids and services
• Access to services that may be needed for equal access to courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and facilities offered by the College
• Be treated in the same manner as other students
• Privacy of information regarding the disability in accordance with applicable laws
• Report any grievances in a timely manner

Student Responsibilities
The student has the responsibility to do the following:

• Provide appropriate documentation to the Office of Access & Disability Resources from an appropriate professional that describes the nature of the disability, how it limits participation in courses/programs, and suggested academic accommodations
• Request accommodations through the Office of Access & Disability Resources prior to each semester or prior to needing the accommodations
• Notify the Office of Access & Disability Resources of any changes in the registration schedule and/or needed accommodations
• Request and use approved accommodations in a responsible and timely manner
• If necessary, provide attendant care for personal needs while on campus
• Report any grievances in a timely manner
• Meet the same essential academic requirements as all other students on campus
• Follow the Saint Paul College Student Code of Conduct
• Follow all program and Saint Paul College policies and procedures

Office of Access & Disability Resources Responsibilities
The Office of Access & Disability Resources has the responsibility to do the following:

• Determine if a student is eligible to receive reasonable accommodations and/or modifications and/or other support services
• Maintain student documentation from appropriate professionals verifying disability. This is the required proof of eligibility
• Respect individual confidentiality and maintain professional standards
• Provide the least invasive, appropriate accommodations in the classroom and for test taking
• Assist students in obtaining access to specific support services, such as tutoring and counseling
• Notify the instructor in writing about the necessary accommodations and/or modifications as soon as possible and discuss the implementation of accommodations as needed
• Provide support to the faculty member(s) for the directive
• Provide education to faculty and staff regarding campus commitment to implementing law and policy which assures non-discrimination for people with disabilities

Faculty Responsibilities
The Saint Paul College faculty have the responsibility to do the following:

• Follow the prescribed accommodations/modifications in a fair, non-judgmental and timely manner
• Maintain the student’s right to privacy concerning the disability and any accommodations
• Provide timely access to course materials at the same time all other students receive the materials.

Saint Paul College strives to provide a welcoming and accessible learning environment for all DHH students. We have American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters on site, which allows you to make timely requests for interpreting services for campus events and co-curricular activities. Students and prospective students can arrange interpreting service by contacting the ADR office at accessresources@mikeshiner.com. Staff and faculty should contact Human Resources to request interpreting services for employees. All Saint Paul College interpreters adhere to the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct and are committed to providing you with responsive, confidential communication that is tailored to your needs.

If you have a scheduled interpreter and will be late or absent, please provide notice as soon as possible at interpreting@mikeshiner.com.

Access and Disability Resources offers many assistive technology tools for students to check out on a semesterly basis. Saint Paul College currently has C-Pens, Smart Pens, magnifiers, auditory devices, screen reading software, audio recorders, iPads, and a range of applications. We update our technology options each year, so please note that Access and Disability Resource’s inventory of assistive technology may change as technology evolves. Students are provided consultations on what technology may benefit them and coaching on how to use the devices and software.