Office for Students with Disabilities

Ann Vidovic
Director of Disability Services
218-322-2433 (V/TTY)

On behalf of the Office for Students with Disabilities, I wish to welcome you to Itasca Community College and to the Office for Students with Disabilities. The mission of the Office for Students with Disabilities is to assist in creating an accessible campus community, where students with disabilities have equal opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of the educational environment. All students with documented disabilities who need accommodations in their academic program or to access programs, facilities and/or activities, are encouraged to make an appointment with us to discuss their needs.

What Is a Disability?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a person with a disability has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment. These activities include the ability to write, learn, read, think, concentrate, memorize, hear, see, talk, walk, breathe or perform manual tasks.

How Do Students Become Registered with the OSD?

After admission to ICC, students must make an appointment to see an OSD staff person for an intake interview and at that time present documentation of their disability. This documentation may include high school special education records or a report from a licensed psychologist, disability specialist, or medical doctor. Once students have presented documentation of their disability along with having a staff consultation, a variety of accommodations may be provided, determined on a case-by-case basis.

When Should Students Begin to Make Arrangements for Receiving Accommodations through the OSD?

Students should call the OSD office several weeks before starting at the college to begin the registration process with the OSD. Early registration is essential in order to arrange for taped textbooks, interpreters, note takers, and other OSD services. Late registration may limit immediate assistance. Students should contact the OSD to arrange for sign language interpreting before registering for classes.

Can the College Charge for Providing Academic Accommodations?

The college may not charge students for necessary accommodations.

What Are Examples of Reasonable Accommodations that Are Provided by the OSD to Students with Disabilities?

• Accommodations for placement testing
• Alternative testing that may include extended time, tape-recorded tests, or writing assistance
• Note taking or taping of lectures
• Organization or time management assistance
• Adjustable tables or custom chairs
• Editing assistance for written assignments
• Referral for taped textbooks
• Sign language/oral interpreting
• Provision of and/or orientation to assistive technology
• Other reasonable accommodations

What Other Services Does the OSD Provide?

• Assistance with course selection and registration
• Support for coping with a disability in college
• Assistance with faculty contacts
• Support groups

What Kinds of Services Are Not Provided by the OSD?

• Assistance with homework
• Individually prescribed devices
• Attendants
• Transportation
• Readers for personal use or study
• Special college classes only for students with disabilities
• Personal tutoring

Must the OSD Provide Students with All the Accommodations and Auxiliary Aids Requested?

Itasca is not required to provide academic adjustments or aids that would fundamentally alter the nature of a program or the academic requirements that are considered essential to a program of study or to meet licensing requirements.