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 or email accomodations@morton.edu
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
Morton College is committed to providing equal access to all students with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Illinois Human Rights Act. This policy outlines Morton College’s guidelines regarding service animals on campus.
Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog or, in limited circumstances, a miniature horse that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy animals are not service animals under the ADA and are not permitted on campus. While these animals may provide emotional benefits, they have not been trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability and therefore do not qualify as service animals.
Permissive Inquiries
When it is not readily apparent that an animal is a service animal, College personnel may ask only the following two questions:
1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
If the disability or trained task is not readily apparent and an individual declines to respond to the permissible inquiries outlined above, the College may deny access to the animal. The individual will not be denied access to programs, services, or activities without the animal. College personnel will not request documentation, require certification or identification cards, require proof of training, or inquire about the nature or extent of an individual’s disability. Service animals are not required to wear a vest, tag, or other identifying equipment.
Student Responsibilities:
- The service animal must be on a leash and under control at all times, unless the handler’s disability prevents the use of a leash or harness, in which case the animal must be under the handler’s voice or signal control.
- Service animals that are unruly or disruptive (such as barking, running without a leash, showing aggression, or otherwise drawing unnecessary attention) will not be permitted on campus. A service animal may be removed from College property if the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if the animal is not housebroken.
- The care and supervision of the service animal is the sole responsibility of the owner/handler.
- The owner/handler is responsible for cleaning up after the service animal and properly disposing of waste. Individuals who are unable to do so must arrange for assistance. Morton College is not responsible for cleaning animal waste.
- The owner/handler must ensure the service animal does not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others. A direct threat determination will be based on an individualized assessment using current medical knowledge or the best available objective evidence.
- Students who utilize a service animal on campus are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Student Accommodations in order to:
- Facilitate appropriate accommodations
- Address any access concerns
- Resolve potential conflicts
Areas of Restriction
Service animals may be restricted from specific areas of the College where their presence would fundamentally alter the nature of a program or activity or create a legitimate safety requirement necessary for safe operation. Such areas may include but are not limited to certain laboratories, clinical environments, food preparation areas, or other spaces governed by health and safety standards.
If a service animal is properly excluded, the individual will be permitted to continue participating in the program, service, or activity without the animal.
For questions or concerns regarding this policy, or to request disability-related accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Accommodations.
Office of Student Accommodations
Kara Kennedy, Accommodations Coordinator
One Stop Center – 145 B
708-656-8000, Ext. 2433
kara.kennedy@morton.edu