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Students with Special Needs

Access to College Programs

Post-secondary students with disabilities are guaranteed access to college programs and services by the following federal laws:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

“No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States... shall, solely by reason of his or her 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.”

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act

“Subject to the provisions of this title, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, program, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by such an entity.”

Definition of Disability

The law defines a person with a disability as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The definition further indicates that you are a “person with a disability” and entitled to protection from discrimination if you have a disability, if you have a history of a disability, or if you are regarded as having a disability.

An “otherwise qualified” disabled individual is defined as one who with an auxiliary aid (e.g., tape recorder, text-on-tape, note taker) or reasonable accommodation (e.g., test proctoring, extended time for testing, sign language interpreter) can meet the academic requirements that an institution can demonstrate essential to its education program.

At Morton College:

Students who self-identify with a learning, physical, medical, behavioral and/or short term disability may receive accommodations when the following steps are followed and completed in accordance with the deadlines set.

Students seeking accommodations will need to complete the following:

  • Complete and return the Request for Accommodation form (can be found on the website www.morton.edu or at the front desk of the Advising department).
  • Provide appropriate supporting documentation stating a diagnosis. The following documentation will be accepted:
    • Individual Educational Plan
    • Neuropsychological Evaluation
    • Medical documentation stating a diagnosis and medication student taking (if any).
    • Psycho-Educational Assessment
      • Must include test results, diagnosis and suggested accommodations.

Documentation Older Than Three Years Will Not Be Accepted.

 

For additional information or to set up an appointment with the Coordinator of Student Accommodations please contact: (708) 656-8000 ext. 2250.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students at Morton College:

Morton College will provide interpreting services for college students enrolled in academic related activities and courses. Students must complete the Request for Accommodation form and meet with the Coordinator of Student Accommodations to confirm their schedule 3 weeks prior to the start of each semester. Requests and schedule changes submit-ted less than three weeks prior to the first day of class will delay services.

Interpreters will be provided for the following:

  • Classes, field trips, study groups, required attendance at special events, meetings with advisors or professors, tutorials, etc.
  • Events sponsored by chartered student organizations - This includes programs, concerts, workshops, induction or recognition ceremonies, meetings, etc.
  • Special events sponsored by colleges or departments within the university including conferences, guest lecturers, special performances, recognition ceremonies, celebrations, etc.

Personal Attendant Policy

Personal Care Attendants are individuals who are hired to assist a person with personal needs of daily living such as eating, toileting, handling school supplies, etc. If a student needs a Personal Care Assistant, it is the student’s responsibility to recruit, interview, hire, train, pay, etc.

Personal Attendants at Morton College:

  • Will be restricted to the personal care needs for which he/she was hired.
  • Are allowed to assist the student with preparing for class such as finding their seat and getting materials out for use.
  • Are allowed to assist the student with putting their supplies and materials away and exiting the room at the end of class.
  • Are not allowed to remain in the classroom once the class begins.
  • May wait for the student in the hall near the classroom.

If you are a Department of Human Services client, check with your counselor to see if you are eligible for financial assistance with PCA expenses.

Medical Emergencies at Morton College

All students and staff experiencing a medical emergency will be assisted by Campus Police. If a student or staff member needs hospitalization our Districts First Responders transport patients to MacNeal Hospital Emergency Department.

Service Animal Policy

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals “that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability including, but not limited to guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.”

According to the definition of the ADA the person must have a disability as defined by the ADA and the animal must be trained to do specific work and tasks for the person.

Morton College recognizes and supports Service Animals on campus. Emotional Support Animals and/or Comfort Animals are not permitted on campus as they are not considered service animals under the ADA.

At Morton College:

  • Students who have the need for a service animal on campus are required to complete the Request for Accommodation form and to meet with the Disability Specialist.
  • Provide evidence that the animal has been individually and specifically trained for the benefit of the individual who has a disability and desires the use of the animal’s assistance.
  • The animal must be on a leash and under control at all times.
  • Owners/handlers are required to carry equipment and bags sufficient to clean the animal’s waste and properly dispose of it. Persons who are not physically able to pick up and dispose of the animal waste are responsible for making necessary arrangements for assistance.
  • The college is not responsible for cleaning animal waste.
  • The care and supervision of the service animal is the sole responsibility of the owner/handler.
  • The animal must be used in ways that do not create safety hazards for other persons.
  • Service animals that are unruly or disruptive (barking, running around unleashed, aggressive toward others, bringing attention to itself, and/or other disruptive behavior) will not be permitted on campus.
  • It is encourage by Morton College that all service animals wear a harness or other identification to alert other students and staff of the status of the service animal.