Flint Hills Technical College recognizes that traditional methods, programs and services are not always appropriate or sufficient to accommodate the limitations experienced by some qualified persons with disabilities. When a student’s disability prevents him/her from fulfilling a course requirement through conventional procedures, consideration will be given to alternatives, keeping in mind that academic standards must be maintained.
To reasonably accommodate a qualified student with disabilities means that program modifications and academic adjustments as deemed appropriate in an individual situation may be made. Support services and auxiliary aids are examples of reasonable accommodations that may be made available under specific circumstances.
Each student eligible for accommodation and/or services, under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), has certain responsibilities to fulfill. The student must provide Flint Hills Technical College with medical or other diagnostic documentation that confirms his/her disability and limitations, and may be required to provide additional documentation of evaluations of limitations.
Documentation means a recent and appropriate report, evaluating the individual’s ability to perform adult level college work, prepared by a qualified physician, psychologist, or professional, and which states the parameters of the student’s disability.
Each student is expected to make timely and appropriate disclosures and requests, at least six weeks in advance of a course, workshop, program, or activity for which accommodation is requested, or as soon as realistically possible. The student should make his/her special needs known upon registration. Students requesting accommodations are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the Vice-President of Student Services to discuss options for appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Communication can also be completed via email or over the phone. The Vice-President of Student Services may also request a release from the student in order to communicate with representatives of supporting agencies, services and resources. The student will cooperate in obtaining and arranging for accommodations or auxiliary aids.
Auxiliary aids may be available through a variety of sources available to individual students. The student may make request for assistance in obtaining specialized support services from other resources such as State Vocational Rehabilitation, Recordings for the Blind, State Services for the Blind, etc. For example, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) may fund such items as transportation to the institution, tuition, textbooks, hearing aids, and other individually prescribed devices.
The Vice President of Student Services serves as coordinator of accommodations for students with disabilities at Flint Hills Technical College, and acts as a resource person to the faculty and staff, along with liaison to outside agencies.
Flint Hills Technical College encourages students with disabilities to practice self-advocacy. Anything that faculty and staff members can do to aid this process enhances mutual understanding and communication.
To file a request for accommodation, students need to fill in the appropriate information on the Request for Accommodation and Academic Support form. Two additional confidential forms which need to be completed are the Disability Information Sheet and the Release of Information form. In order to verify a student’s disability one of three types of documentation must be submitted to the Vice-President of Student Services. Acceptable documentation of a disability includes a recent IEP (Individualized Educational Plan), OR Form A: Authorization for Release of Information by Licensed Physician Professional OR Form B: Authorization for Release of Information by Licensed Psychologist or Professional. Forms can be obtained below, in printed form from the Student Services Office, mailed to a student or emailed to a student. Forward the completed forms with relevant information and materials in a sealed envelope to the Vice President of Student Services.
Testing accommodations examples:
Academic support services examples:
Auxiliary aids examples:
Within 14 days upon receipt of the Request for Accommodation and accompanying documentation, the Vice President of Students Services will contact the student in writing to confirm that the requested academic adjustment/auxiliary aid is approved, denied or an alternative is suggested.
Upon approval of the requested academic adjustment/auxiliary aid each faculty member will be notified in writing of the required accommodations for the student. The student will also receive a copy of this notification via email.
If at any time throughout the academic year, a student feels that the agreed upon accommodations are not being followed by an instructor(s) or that alternate accommodations need to be provided, the student may contact the Vice President of Student Services at lkirmer@fhtc.edu or 620-341-1325 or stop by the Student Services Office. Each semester the student’s schedule of classes will be accessed by the Vice President of Student Services for
the purpose of communicating accommodations with any new instructors. If a student changes any courses throughout a semester, the Vice President of Student Services needs to be notified in order to disseminate information to all of the student’s instructors.
Within 14 days upon receipt of the Request for Accommodation and accompanying documentation, the Vice President of Students Services will contact the student in writing to confirm that the requested academic adjustment/auxiliary aid is approved, denied or an alternative is suggested.
Upon approval of the requested academic adjustment/auxiliary aid each faculty member will be notified in writing of the required accommodations for the student. The student will also receive a copy of this notification via email.
If at any time throughout the academic year, a student feels that the agreed upon accommodations are not being followed by an instructor(s) or that alternate accommodations need to be provided, the student may contact the Vice President of Student Services at lkirmer@fhtc.edu or 620-341-1325 or stop by the Student Services Office. Each semester the student’s schedule of classes will be accessed by the Vice President of Student Services for
the purpose of communicating accommodations with any new instructors. If a student changes any courses throughout a semester, the Vice President of Student Services needs to be notified in order to disseminate information to all of the student’s instructors.
If the request is denied or an alternative is suggested the Vice President of Student Services may request additional documentation and/or a meeting with the student.
If a student’s requested academic adjustment/auxiliary aid is denied the student has the right to appeal. The student may appeal the decision in writing to the Vice President of Student Services by completing the Appeal of Denial of Reasonable Accommodation Request form. The form may be obtained below, in the Student Services Office, mailed, emailed.
Students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the Vice President of Student Services. An attempt will be made to resolve the issue/s causing concern by assisting the student in discussions with the faculty member, department, or program. Most situations are positively resolved through this process. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student should notify the Office of the President where grievance procedures are filed for all students, including students with disabilities.
Office of the President
Flint Hills Technical College
3301 West 18th Avenue
Emporia, KS 66801
620-341-1305
The complaint must be filed in writing within 20 calendar days following the act or event from which the complaint arose. The written complaint must contain specific details regarding the incident, employee or school regulation, which is being protested. The President will respond to a complaint, which has been appropriately filed and provide a time line for official response. The official response will be given to the student in writing.
If the student does not accept the President’s official response, the student has the option of proceeding to the Board of Trustees. The complaint must be filed in writing to the Clerk of the Board within 10 days after the official response from the President is first received. The Clerk of the Board will respond to a complaint, which has been appropriately filed, within 10 days of receiving the written complaint filed with the Clerk of the Board. The Clerk of the Board will provide a timeline for official response for the Board of Trustees. Board members may choose to invite the student to an executive session in order to gain further information. The official response of the Board of Trustees will be given to the student in writing. The Board’s decision shall be final.
If the complaint is not resolved at the College level, a student may choose to file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights.
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut, Suite 230
Kansas City, MO 64106
(Phone) 816-268-0550
(TTY) 877-521-2172
Web Address: http://www.ed.gov/ocr
All such matters are treated in strict confidence and shall not be discussed except with appropriate personnel.