Policy: 1.3 Americans with Disabilities Act/Accommodation

Adoption Date: March 25, 2022 - Revised

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

It is the policy of the Howard County Junior College District to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) unless such action shall pose an undue burden or would result in a fundamental alteration of programs of the district. Individuals requesting assistance under the letter or spirit of the ADA should contact the district ADA Coordinator.

REASONABLE MODIFICATION

Howard College, pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, will make every effort to provide “reasonable modification” in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability. The college is not required to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the president or designee after considering all resources available for use in the funding and operation of the service, program, or activity and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion.

The ADA does not require a public entity to permit an individual to participate in or benefit from the services, programs, or activities of the public entity when that individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. “Direct threat” means a significant risk to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures, or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services as provided below.

In determining whether an individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, a public entity must make an individualized assessment, based on reasonable judgment that relies on current medical knowledge or on the best available objective evidence, to ascertain: 0.

1.         The nature, duration, and severity of the risk;
2.         The probability that the potential injury will actually occur; and
3.         Whether reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures or the provision of auxiliary aids or services will mitigate the risk.

Coordinators

      The following positions are designated ADA Coordinators for the college:
      Dean of Student Services/SWCD site – District ADA Coordinator
      Chief Human Resources Officer – Employee Coordinator
      Chief Operations/Safety and Security Officer – Facilities Coordinator
      Academic Advisor/Student Success Specialist – Student Coordinator/Big Spring/Lamesa
      Academic Advisor – Student Coordinator/San Angelo

SERVICE AND LIVE-IN ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

The college seeks to accommodate persons with disabilities who demonstrate the necessity of a service animal and will follow the regulations as detailed in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It also recognizes the importance of assistance animals for certain employees with qualifying disabilities who reside in campus housing.

Employees will follow the same guidelines as students however, employees will request and submit completed paperwork through the Chief Human Resources Officer. Please refer to the policy in the Student Handbook, page 93 at the following link:

https://howardcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/PDF/Student_Handbook.pdf