Accessibility Services

Whether a student is mobility impaired, hearing impaired or sight impaired, Cowley College's main campus in Arkansas City and Academic Centers in Winfield and Mulvane are inclusive, friendly environments.

The college makes every effort to ensure that special needs students can benefit from a rich academic environment and enjoy diverse student activities.

The main campus is very easy to navigate. It is a small campus that has pathways throughout the campus that are designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices. Ample handicapped parking and curb ramps ensure that commuting students have easy and close access to most buildings.

The multi-floor buildings have elevators or alternative ramp access. Bathrooms are handicapped accessible. Wheelchair seating in available in sports and entertainment areas.

View our Building Accessibility Standards Map

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“Objective and appropriately documented evidence” means the student will provide documentation of the disability and the most recent testing/evaluation by a certified, licensed professional (e.g., physician, psychologist, neuropsychologist, educational diagnostician, or student clinicians supervised by a qualified professional) person whose training is commonly accepted for establishing a specific diagnosis. The professional completing the evaluation should not be a family member. The documentation must be sufficiently recent as to describe how the disability currently affects the student.

As appropriate to the disability, a comprehensive report should include:

1. A diagnostic statement identifying the disability, date of the current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original diagnosis;
2. A description of the diagnostic criteria and/or the diagnostic tests used;
3. A description of the functional impact of the disability;
4. Medications, treatments, assistive devices/services currently prescribed, including duration;
5. A description of the expected progression or stability of the impact of the disability over time;
6. Recommendation for accommodations, adaptive devices, assistive services, and support services;
7. The name and credentials of the diagnosing professional(s)

All documentation must be provided to Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) on professional letterhead and contain the dates of assessment, signatures, and titles of the diagnosing professionals. Documentation may be sent to the DSC at any time.

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The Office of Disability Services for Students (Student Accessibility Coordinator) is responsible for evaluating whether to grant or deny requests for reasonable accommodations in College housing. In evaluating the request, Disability Services will consult with the Director of Housing and the Campus Counselor to determine whether the requested accommodation is necessary and reasonable. Individuals living with a disability who reside or intend to reside in College housing who believe they need a reasonable accommodation must contact Disability Services.

Important links to policy, procedures and forms:

Policy on Pets and Animals in Cowley College Facilities

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Procedures

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The following steps must be completed in order to receive services from the Disability Services Program:

The student…

• must be officially admitted and enrolled at Cowley College
• contact the Disability Services Office to schedule an interview and intake with the DSC and complete the Request for Service form
• provide objective and appropriately documented evidence. Release of Information form may be used by student to request documentation from special education cooperatives, doctors, mental health professionals, etc.
• participate in the intake session and provide input regarding accommodation needs to the DSC
• participate in the development of an individualized plan of accommodations for each course. A new individualized plan must be completed prior to each semester.
• utilize the accommodations provided to enhance learning opportunities and inform the DSC if accommodations need to be modified.

Possible accommodations available:

• Text in Alternate format
• Note takers
• Tape recording lectures
• Sign Language Interpreters (deaf or hard of hearing)
• Extended test time
• Alternate test environment
• Tests read to student
• Assistive technology (Premier Assistive Technology and Dragon Naturally Speaking software programs)
• Mobility guides
• Other accommodations that are reasonable and appropriate

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A “qualified Student with a disability” means a person who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in the education program or activity, with or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies or practices; the removal of architectural, communication, transportation barriers; or the provision of auxiliary aids and services. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 define a person with a disability as a person who:

1. Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activity (including walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working).
2. Has a record of such an impairment, and
3. Is regarded as having such impairment.

Legal Guidelines

…”no otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States…shall, solely by reason of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program receiving Federal financial assistance…” Rehabilitation Act, Section 504, 1973

…”no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of services, programs, or activities of public entity…” Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990

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Organizations for Students:

Learning Disabilities Association of America

International Dyslexia Association

C.H.A.D.D. - Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disabilities

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

National Center for Learning Disabilities

Other Helpful Web sites:

College Scholarships and Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities

College Resources for Students with Disabilities

College Preparation Resources for Students

Learning Ally (formerly, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic)

ADA Home Page

Office of Civil Rights

Aid for Students Living with Disabilities

Kansas DCF Vocational Rehabilitation Services

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