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Section 504/ADA Process
American Disabilities Act and Section 504 Accommodations
Per the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Western Dakota Technical College’s policy ensures no qualified person shall, solely because of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the college. WDTC works to ensure campus accessibility for persons with disabilities for admissions, educational opportunities, programs, activities, employment practices, facilities use/maintenance, and campus owned or leased housing. Please note that no accommodations will be made that result in a fundamental alteration of programs, place undue financial and administrative burdens upon the college, and lower academic or other essential standards.
In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, WDTC will not allow students to be under the influence while in classes or on campus. WDTC complies with this federal legislation required by law to receive federal funding that includes student financial aid. Federal legislation will take precedent over SDCL 34-20G regarding the use of medical marijuana.
Transitioning to Higher Education
As students transition to higher education, it is vital to know the rights and responsibilities related to their disability. The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights provides a Transition Guide for students entering post-secondary education and a Letter for Parents. High school students can also reach out to the Transition Services Liaison Project (TSLP) for additional resources.
Accommodation Process
Students must contact the Disability Services Office to request accommodations. Contact should be made as early in the semester as possible but can be made at any time.
Accommodations are never retroactive, but the process is interactive between the student and Disability Services Office.
Policies and Procedures
Students with disabilities can find additional information in WDTC Policy 4018 about the process to request accommodations.
Students with disabilities are not exempt from WDTC policies and procedures. These policies and procedures are outlined in the resources listed below.
Available Resources
Below is a list of potential accommodations and resources that could be beneficial throughout the academic journey:
- Assistive technology
- Microsoft Accessibility Tools through Office 365
- Accessibility Tools offered through eCampus, Cengage MindTap, Pearson MyLab, and other vendors
- Digital textbooks
- Publishers often require proof of purchase before these are provided.
- Distraction-reduced testing environment
- The Student Success Center offers three testing rooms equipped with HD cameras for accommodated tests.
- Enlarged materials
- Extended time on exams
- Preferential seating
Students are encouraged to self-advocate and work with the Disability Services Office and their Student Success Coach to succeed.
Student Resolution Process: Discrimination Based on a Protected Class
NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA)
NVDA is a FREE software. We encourage you to download and install the software on your personal device, allowing you to use it for homework and other tasks outside of testing environments. This powerful tool has received excellent feedback from students and professionals alike, and we believe it will significantly aid you in your academic journey.
The software is installed on our Center’s testing computers for those approved for reading accommodations for tests, exams, and quizzes. You will be provided with a guide for the NVDA Windows keyboard commands before your test. We encourage you to practice the commands by using the Quick Start guide that includes keyboard commands.
Here are some major highlights of NVDA's capabilities:
- Wide Application Support: NVDA works seamlessly with popular web browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, email clients, internet chat software, music players, and office programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Built-in Speech Synthesizer: NVDA supports over 55 languages and is compatible with many third-party voices, ensuring clear and accessible communication.
- Mouse Interaction: It automatically announces text under the mouse and offers an optional audible indication of the mouse position.
- Braille Display Support: NVDA supports many refreshable braille displays and allows braille input via displays equipped with a braille keyboard.
- Portability: You can run NVDA entirely from a USB flash drive or other portable media without needing to install it on your computer.
- User-Friendly Installer: NVDA features an easy-to-use talking installer, making the setup process straightforward and accessible.
- Compatibility: NVDA supports modern Windows Operating Systems, including both 32 and 64-bit variants, and can run on Windows logon and other secure screens.
- Touch Screen Interaction: NVDA announces controls and text while interacting with gestures on touch screens.
- Support and Community: NVDA offers optional telephone support and comprehensive training material at a very low cost. Additionally, there is an enthusiastic and helpful user community ready to assist.
Kelly Oehlerking
Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
and Student Success/Title IX Coordinator
Admin - D206
(605) 718-2931
Specialties
ADA Accommodations Support
Interim ADA/504 Coordinator
