Academic Success & Accessibility
Contact Information
Kathy Meier
Director of Academic Success & Accessibility
Ph: (406) 771-4311
F: (406) 771-4342
Location: A116 on the first level of Weaver Library
Quick Links
Welcome to Academic Success & Accessibility!
Philosophy & Mission
The Academic Success and Accessibility office provides services and accommodations for students with diagnosed disabilities. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (Title II), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations in order to ensure access.
Students with disabilities have a right to reasonable accommodations in order to fully participate in the postsecondary educational experience. Students with disabilities are encouraged to advocate for themselves to the extent possible, and the office of Academic Success and Accessibility provides support and assistance in determining what accommodations are best suited to each individual.
The mission of the Academic Success and Accessibility office at Great Falls College is to facilitate accessibility and full inclusion to all aspects of the college experience for all students with disabilities enrolled at the College.
Registering with Disability Services
The first step to determine eligibility for services is to schedule a one hour intake appointment with the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility to discuss how your disability impacts your learning, and together, to determine reasonable Accommodations and Services.
Appropriate documentation from a qualified professional addressing the student’s functional limitations should be submitted to the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility. Together, both the Director and the student will determine reasonable accommodations.
The office of Academic Success and Accessibility recommends that students Register for Services preferably at the beginning of the semester. Please schedule an appointment with the Director of Disability Services as soon as possible.
Campus Accessibility
- Campus Map
- Braille signage
- Ground-level ramped entries
- Elevator
- Ramp to second level
- Accessible restrooms and water fountains
- Accessible parking
Campus Accessibility
As a campus community, we value disability as an important aspect of diversity. At Great Falls College, we are here to identify any barriers to your education on our campus.
The Director of Academic Success and Accessibility works with all entities on our campus by providing resources, training, accommodating students, and providing an all-inclusive environment without barriers. Not all disabilities are visible, and a large number of students registered with Academic Success and Accessibility have disabilities such as ADD/ ADHD, learning disabilities, health impairments, or psychiatric disabilities.
If you suspect you have a disability, but you are not sure, or if you’ve had a disability for years or recently acquired a disability, please contact [email protected].
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0:
WCAG 2.0 covers a wide range of recommendations for making web content more accessible. Following these guidelines at the AA level, will make content accessible to a wider range of people with various kinds of disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity and combinations of these. Implementing proper accessibility will make your web content more usable to users in general.
For questions regarding web accessibility or to notify the College regarding online information or functionality that is currently inaccessible, contact Kathy Meier for all website related inquiries.
How to File a Grievance
Conduct Guidelines and Grievance Procedures for students may be found at:
The Academic Success and Accessibility office at Great Falls College MSU offers support services to any qualified student with a disability who requests such services. It is each student’s responsibility to make use of these services. Each student is reminded that he is ultimately responsible for his academic success and/or failure. Each student must take the initiative to use time, facilities, and support services in a productive manner. Each student is responsible for his own work and grade in each course.
Also, the Academic Success and Accessibility Office offers direction in securing guidance in academic and personal matters. Again, it is each student’s responsibility to make use of these services. The Academic Success and Accessibility office will not be held responsible for acts of misconduct committed by any student.
It is the responsibility of each student to know and abide by all Great Falls College MSU’s policies, rules, and regulations. Each student must take the initiative to familiarize himself with these policies, rules, and regulations. Failure to do so will not exclude the student from reprimand or any other consequence of violating any Great Falls College’s policy, rule, or regulations.
In the event a disability-related problem arises, please contact the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility. If the Director is not able to help you resolve the complaint, all reports or any concerns about conduct that may violate this policy and retaliation should be reported to:
Rachell Rivers
Human Resources Manager
www.gfcmsu.edu
406-268-3701
Students may also file a complaint with:
U. S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights – Seattle Office
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
Voice: 206-607-1600
Fax: 206-607-1601
TDD: 206-607-1647
