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Academic Success & Accessibility

Contact Information

Photo of Kathy Meier

Kathy Meier
Director of Academic Success & Accessibility

Ph: (406) 771-4311

F: (406) 771-4342

Email

Location: A116 on the first level of Weaver Library

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Accommodations & Services

Students with disabilities have a right to reasonable accommodations in order to fully participate in the post-secondary educational experience. Students with disabilities are encouraged to advocate for themselves to the extent possible and to disclose the disability and submit necessary documentation to the the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility. Together, the Director and the student will determine reasonable modifications based upon the impact of the student’s disability. The office of Academic Success and Accessibility provides support and assistance in determining what modifications are best suited to each individual. Services are provided to qualified students on a case-by-case basis. Personal services and personal aides cannot be provided.

 

The office of Academic Success and Accessibility provides academic accommodations for students with diagnosed disabilities. The purpose of this form is to assist medical providers in documenting a student’s relevant disability information for determining accommodation eligibility. Note: This form serves as a supplement for providing disability documentation to the Director. Please include a physician’s or other health care professional’s letter stating diagnosis on professional letterhead. Other examples of documentation include a diagnostic report, or an IEP/504 plan. Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Summary of Performance (SOP), and/or Section 504 Plans from K-12 institutions may be submitted, including information to verify a disability, statements regarding current academic barriers, accommodations used in the past, and how a disability impacted a student academically.

Under the ADA of 1990, ADAAA of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations in order to ensure equal access. A disability is defined as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” To establish that an individual is qualified, documentation must confirm that a specific disability exists and that the disability requires accommodation. This would include information on onset, longevity, severity of symptoms, functional limitations, and effect of medications or other required treatment. Documentation must also support the request for specific accommodations and academic adjustments.

Services include:

Instruction, support services, and reasonable accommodations may include (but not limited to): 

  • Assistance with admissions, enrollment, and priority registration
  • Placement testing
  • Orientation to campus
  • Registration
  • Sign language interpreters
  • Assistance with educational planning and career development
  • Learning and study strategies
  • Tutoring

 

Classroom Accommodations:

  • Recording lectures
  • Accessible seating
  • Note-takers
  • Copies of overheads and PowerPoints
  • Sign Language Interpreters
  • Assistive Listening Device
  • Braille hand-outs
  • Enlarged print handouts
  • Wheelchair height tables
  • Captioned videos
  • Talking calculator
  • Lumbar support chair
  • Service animal
  • Audio books
  • Assistive technology
    • CCTV
    • Voice recognition software (Dragon Naturally Speaking)
    • JAWS
    • Text-to-speech program (Kurzweil 3000)
  • Exam Accommodations
    • Extended time for exams and quizzes
    • Alternate format for exams
    • Testing in a less-distractive environment
    • Large print
    • Scribe
    • Reader
    • Spell checker
    • Assistance with Scantron
    • Word processor for essay exams
    • Use of assistive devices

 

Other College, University or Board Testing Accommodations

Please be aware that other colleges, universities, and testing agencies (which administer standardized testing accommodations such as NCLEX, NREMT, PRAXIS, CST, CDA, etc.), have their own disability documentation requirements. Please do not assume that the documentation that you provide to the Great Falls College MSU Academic Success and Accessibility office will suffice for external testing agencies. Please contact the college, university, or board for which you are requesting accommodations. These agencies may require additional extensive documentation, and you should check out their requirements well in advance.

Requesting Materials in an Alternate Format

Students whose disabilities interfere with their ability to read printed material should notify the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility of their need for materials in an alternate format (e.g. Braille, large print, audio) as soon as possible in order to afford an adequate amount of time to obtain or produce them.

To receive course materials in an alternate format students must first be registered with the Academic Success and Accessibility office and be approved for the use of this accommodation. During the intake meeting the Director will review the student’s documentation of disability and verify a print disability and eligibility for this accommodation.  The Director and the student will discuss which alternative formats will provide the best access. Once the format has been determined, the student will receive training on how to use the technology. If the student needs text books in an alternate format, the student must provide a receipt and turn it in to the Academic Success and Accessibility office.

Producing materials in an alternate format can take up to 20-30 days from the date of request. Materials will be converted as quickly as possible. The Director will make every effort to provide the format the student prefers, however we cannot guarantee that the preferred format will be available. In this case, an effective alternative can be provided.

Eligible students requesting alternate format for course materials can be made through Academic Success and Accessibility.  Various formats can be made available. Some examples of alternative formats are:

  • Accessible PDF
  • Audio
  • Braille
  • HTML
  • Large Print
  • Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format

 

Please note that when purchasing your texts from the Book Store or from the publisher’s website, there may be electronic versions available in an accessible format. Please ask at the Book Store.

Students who are requesting audio or electronic texts need to provide the following information about the books needed to DS at least one month prior to the beginning of classes in order to have them ready by the time classes start.

  • Title
  • Author
  • Edition
  • ISBN
  • Date/Location of Purchase
  • Price Paid/Receipt of Purchase
  • Course Number and Section
  • Instructor

 

Publishers require students to purchase a hard copy of the text in order to obtain an alternate format text at no additional cost. Students should provide the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility with proof of purchase and, for students receiving electronic texts, a portable drive (flash drive, CD) on which the texts can be loaded.

Students who require their classroom material (syllabus, handouts) to be in Braille or large print should notify DS at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in order to have materials prepared for the first day of classes. During the semester, please allow two business days for turnaround of materials in electronic format and three business days for hard copies of materials. Students should work closely with their instructors to make sure the instructor gets materials to the Academic Success and Accessibility office in a timely fashion.

Electronic text files are provided to eligible students with disabilities by publishers at no additional charge, provided the student is registered for the class, has purchased the text book and agrees to the following conditions:

  • Only texts that are central to the successful completion of the course are being requested.
  • The student must provide appropriate documentation of the disability that meets criteria for alternative format.
  • The student will submit an Alternative Text Request Form prior to the start of the semester. Requests are handled in which they are received. Delays in requesting alternative formatted texts may result in delays receiving them.
  • The student must submit a receipt of book purchases.
  • The student must abide by the Copyright Law of the United States of America, as well as to all applicable codes of conduct and regulations of this institution.
  • The electronic file may not be used, copied, reproduced, sold, transmitted published, broadcast, or otherwise disseminated or distributed for any other purpose or to any other individual.

Classrooms at Great Falls College feature portable tables with that allow for maximum leg room, tabletops that raise and lower to various heights. Classroom chairs feature side arms supports and other chairs without side arms. If a lumbar support chair is needed for a documented disability, please contact the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility.

Please visit the Assistive Technology, Software & Adaptive Equipment page.

Eligible students who have registered with the Office of Academic Success and Accessibility and who qualify for the need to record lectures should be permitted to record lectures as a reasonable accommodation. For students requesting this accommodation, devices such as digital recorders, tablets, and other recording devices may be used. Lectures recorded for this purpose may not be shared with others without the consent of the instructor. Information contained in the recorded lecture is protected under federal copyright laws and may not be published without giving proper identity and credit to the Lecturer.

Auxiliary Aids and Services

  • Assistive Listening Devices
  • Captioning
  • Note takers
  • Readers
  • Scribes

 

Assistive Listening Devices

The Academic Success and Accessibility office will provide an Assistive Listening Device (ALD) for students with hearing impairments to have better auditory access to class lectures. Please see the Director to check out an ALD.

Captioning

Remote Captioning is a speech to text transcription system that provides real-time communication access to students who need alternative or additional support. Remote captioning is a word-for-word transcription that produces a transcript. The instructor uses a wireless microphone (provided by the office of Academic Success and Accessibility and I. T), and the student uses a laptop (either his own or one on loan from I. T), and wireless internet connection to access a real-time captioning transcription website.

You must request Remote Captioning accommodations prior to the start of each semester. Captioning will not be provided for classes you do not attend. The Director coordinates with the captioning company and the Information Technology Department. The captioning company arranges for a captionist for each class. Since this is a time consuming process, the Director encourages you to request this accommodation at least six weeks before classes begin. If you change your schedule before or after the semester, notify the Director immediately to ensure continuation of services.

When a student receives Remote Captioning accommodations, the office of Academic Success and Accessibility expects the student to attend all classes throughout the semester. If you must miss a class please give the Director 24 hour notice if possible. Any prior notification of class cancellations, exam dates, or other times when a captioner will not be needed, please inform the Director as soon as possible (preferably 24 hours in advance).

Responsibilities:

  • Contact the Director if remote captioning or other accommodation is needed as early as possible. Scheduling and registration must be completed at least six weeks before the beginning of the semester. Please consult with the Director to discuss your schedule.
  • On the first day of class or in any new situation, please identify yourself to the captioner.
  • Be on time for all classes, labs, and meetings.
  • Ask the speaker to repeat any questions from the audience.
  • Personal conversations with the captioner should not occur during the class, but before or after the class.
  • If you experience technical difficulties, please contact the Director immediately.
  • Let the Director and captioner know 24 hours in advance if:
    • You plan to be absent or miss a class.
    • You will be late.
    • Your class is canceled.
    • You will not need captioning services (i.e. exam day)
    • There will be a video shown in class.
    • You will be making a presentation.
  • Remote captioning transcripts are considered intellectual property of the professor and may not be distributed to other students under any circumstances.

 

 

Note-takers

Students whose disability interferes with his or her note taking abilities should discuss note taking alternatives with the Director. 

  • If you want the office of Academic Success and Accessibility to help you to locate a note taker, please give us a copy of your class schedule and underline the classes for which you need notes. Disability Services needs to receive the schedule at least two weeks before the beginning of the semester. A note taker request letter will be available for each underlined class.  Be sure to pick it up before school begins so that you can ask your instructor to read it the first day of class. (The letter is designed to be confidential.) 
  • If no one volunteers to be a note taker, be sure to ask the instructor to read the letter again. The letter instructs the volunteer note taker to contact the Director. They sign a confidentiality agreement and receive a handout on how to take notes. 
  • Note takers can bring their notes to the Director and copy them free of charge. NCR paper is available if the note taker prefers to make your notes available to you at class. Discuss the options with your note taker in order to determine what will work best for him or her. 
  • Copies of notes and NCR paper are only available for students with a documented disability who have been qualified for note-taking services by the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility. 
  • If you have any problems with the note-taking process, please notify the Director as soon as possible. 
  • You must attend class to receive notes. Notify the Director immediately if you have an emergency or if you withdraw from class.
  • Accessible seating
  • Alternate Format
  • Alternative Furniture
  • Assistive Listening Device
  • Assistive Technology and Software
    • CCTV
    • Voice recognition software (Dragon Naturally Speaking)
    • JAWS
    • Text-to-speech program (Kurzweil 3000)
  • Audio books
  • Auxiliary Aids and Services
  • Braille hand-outs
  • Captioned videos
  • Copies of overheads and PowerPoints
  • Enlarged print handouts
  • Interpreters and Captioning/ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
  • Lumbar support chair
  • Note-takers
  • Recording lectures
  • Service Animals
  • Sign Language Interpreters
  • Talking calculator
  • Wheelchair height tables
  • Testing Modifications
    • Alternate format for exams
    • Assistance with Scantron
    • Assistive technology and software
    • Extended time for exams and quizzes
    • Large print
    • Reader
    • Scribe
    • Spell checker
    • Testing in a less-distractive environment
    • Word processor for essay exams

Assistive listening devices, recording devices and held-held media devices can be checked out by making an appointment with the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility. Any equipment loaned by the office of Academic Success and Accessibility to a student will result in a hold being placed on the student’s account if the college deems the equipment to be lost, damaged, or destroyed. If the item is not returned the college will assess the replacement cost by adding it to the student’s bill and placing a hold on the student’s account.

 

Guidance on Service/Assistance Animals

 

Introduction and Purpose

The purpose of this guidance is to notify the college community of the responsibilities of the college regarding service and assistive animals in college facilities, programs and activities.

 

Definition of Service Animal

The Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] defines “service animal” as an animal that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.  Service animals are not pets.  They are working animals who have been trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability.  The work or task must be directly related to the person’s disability. 

Examples of such work or tasks include: 

  • Guiding people who are blind
  • Alerting people who are deaf
  • Pulling a wheelchair
  • Alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure
  • Reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications
  • Calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack 

Individuals with mental disabilities may also use service animals that are individually trained to perform a specific task.  

Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, comfort, therapeutic benefit, companionship, are not service animals under the ADA.

A miniature horse may be considered a service animal as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. Other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. 

 

Rules of Services Animals

Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls. 

The service animal must be clean and in good health. Owners and/or users of service animals must abide by current city ordinances/laws pertaining to licensing and vaccination requirements for service animals. It is the responsibility of the owner and/or user of the animal to know about these ordinances and/or laws. All owners and or users of service animals are responsible to clean up after and properly dispose of their animal’s waste.

 

Concerns Regarding Service Animals

Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people using service animals. When a person who is allergic to dog dander and a person who uses a service animal must spend time in the same room or facility, they both should be accommodated by assigning them, if possible, to different locations within the room or different rooms in the facility. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other students.

Persons who have a concern about the behavior of a service animal should direct his/her concern to the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility.  Concerns regarding service animals of employees should be reported to the Human Resources Director.

A service dog may be excluded from the college, or any part thereof, temporarily or permanently if it is found to be in violation of the requirements for use of service animals. When there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, the person with the disability may return without the animal’s presence.

 

Exclusions of Service Animals

Unless the service animal is not meeting the behavioral or sanitary expectations outlined in this policy, a person with a disability cannot be asked to remove a service animal from the premises.

A person with a disability may be asked to remove a service animal from the premises if the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control the dog or the dog is not housebroken. A service animal may be excluded from a facility, including a classroom, if the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. A service animal may be excluded from a facility, including a classroom, if that animal’s behavior, such as barking, is disruptive to the other participants within the facility.

 

Grievance Procedure

Any person who believes a decision related to a service animal or assistance animal is incorrect may file a grievance with the Executive Director of Student Services.  Conduct Guidelines and Grievance Procedures for students may be found at:

Policy: 301.1 Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation

Sign Language Interpreter Services

Depending on the individual student, a range of accommodations that provides equal access to education may be appropriate for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Deaf and hard of hearing students should follow the procedures outlined above for applying for services, providing documentation and requesting accommodations. Additional services specific to Deaf and hard of hearing students are discussed in this section. Contact the Director in advance for sign language interpreter or captioning services.

The office of Academic Success and Accessibility 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.

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 regulation. To read more about the policies, click here: Policies and Procedures Student Affairs

Class attendance is crucial for successful academic completion. When a student who uses an interpreter will be absent from class, notifying the Director is expected. This is crucial when interpreters are being paid for their time in class. The interpreter can be notified ahead of time when any change is expected. When at all possible, prior notification is expected by calling or emailing the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility. The interpreter is there as a supplement to the classroom experience, not as a substitute. If a student misses class, he needs to meet with the instructor for follow-up. Interpreters are not responsible for the student’s absence nor their academic responsibilities. 

Basic Expectations of Student

Role: Students need to take full responsibility for his/her education and communicate directly with people in their academic environment. When students have questions or miss information from classes, they must take the initiative to get that information from the instructor or classmates.

Responsibilities:

  1. Contact the Director if an interpreter or other accommodation is needed as early as possible. Scheduling and registration should be completed at least six weeks before the beginning of the semester. Please consult with the Director to discuss your schedule.
  2. On the first day of class or in any new situation, please identify yourself to the interpreter.
  3. Be on time for all classes, labs, and meetings.
  4. Sit in a place that provides the best distance, lighting, background, and angle for seeing the interpreter.
  5. If you have any questions relating to class materials, ask the instructor.
  6. Personal conversations with the interpreter should not occur during the class, but before or after the class.
  7. Notify the Director to set up note-taking services.
  8. If you have difficulty understanding the interpreter discuss it with the provider of the service. If this does not solve the problem, then go to the Director of Disability Services.
  9. If you have problems with your note taker, contact the Director.
  10. If your interpreter does not come to class, notify the Director that he or she has failed to show up.
  11. Let the Director and your interpreter, know if:
    1. You plan to be absent or miss a class.
    2. If you will be late.
    3. Your class is canceled.
    4. There will be a video shown in class.
    5. You will be making a presentation. When presentations are being made, a copy of the speech and/or paper is to be given to the interpreter at least 24 hours in advance in order to prepare for voicing your presentations.
  12. Please contact the Director if you will need an interpreter for tutoring, advising, meeting with faculty, or other campus events.

 

No-Show Policy

If interpreter services have been requested, and you know that you will be unable to attend class, you should provide the Director with at least 24 hours advanced notice so that interpreters can be informed. Failure to provide any advanced notice is considered a “No-Show.” To give advance notice, a student may:

  1. Contact the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility (406-771-4311) and speak either in person or leave a message by voice or relay or TTY or Video Phone (406) 205-1079. If you prefer, you may leave a message at her email address: [email protected]
  2. Failure to provide notice will result in the following actions:
  • First “No-Show”: Interpreter will wait for 10 minutes and then contact the Director.
  • Second “No-Show”: A letter will be sent to the student informing the student that they have two “No-Shows”: In addition, the letter will remind the student of the policy and appropriate procedures.
  • Third “No-Show”: Services will automatically be temporarily suspended and a letter will sent to the student informing the student of the policy and the appropriate procedure. Services will remain suspended until the student makes an appointment and meets with the Director to reinstate services.

For each subsequent “No-Show”: Services will automatically be suspended and a letter will be sent to the student informing the student of the policy and the appropriate procedures. The services will remain suspended until the student makes an appointment and meets with the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility.

Exception to the “No-Show Policy”: If three (3) or more “No-Shows” occur within the same two week period, services will automatically be temporarily suspended and a letter will be sent to the student informing the student of the policy and the appropriate procedures. The services will remain suspended until the student makes an appointment with the Director.

Excessive absences: Even with advance notice, excessive absences are a problem for the student. Attendance in class is directly correlated to student success. If the student misses three classes in a given week, then he or she may find services suspended by the Director and a conference will be required to reinstate them.

 

Please visit the Testing Center webpage.

Eligibility for test accommodations is determined by the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility and based on the disability-related limitations experienced by the individual students. Appropriate accommodations will be indicated on the accommodation request form which will detail the accommodation and describe the circumstances under which the accommodation should be provided. Any accommodation is beyond those marked on the form should be discussed with the Director.

 

Exam Accommodations

Exam accommodation can include (but are not limited to):

  • Extended time
    • Time and one half (50% extra time)
    • Double time (100% extra time)
  • Less-distractive environment
  • Assistive technology
  • Screen-enlargement software
  • Voice-recognition software
  • Screen-reading software
  • Text-to-speech software
  • Electronic formats
  • Word processing
  • Reader and/or scribe
  • Enlarged print
  • Exam Accommodations through the Testing Center
  • Exam Accommodations through Disability Services
  • Accommodations for COMPASS Placement Tests
  • Accommodations for Licensing and Certification Exams

 

Exam Accommodations through the Testing Center 

Students requesting accommodations for extended testing time and/or a distraction free environment or using Kurzweil will take exams/quizzes in the Testing Center (R274). Students may make their request either in person or online at: Student Test Request

Students must fill out the form at least 48 hours in advance, select at least two possible exam administration times, as the first choice may not be available. Students utilizing the Testing Center as an accommodation need to check the option for Academic Success and Accessibility Accommodation and/or Distraction-free Environment. After making the request, students will receive an email from the eLearning Exam proctor confirming the appointment date/time within 1 business day of the request. For more information including Testing Center policies, visit the Testing Center website.

Students who plan to take exams in the Testing Center or with the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility need to remind instructors of the alternate testing arrangements for each exam.

 

Exam Accommodations through Academic Success and Accessibility

  • If test accommodations, such as a reader or a scribe, are being made through the Academic Success and Accessibility office, the following should occur:
    • The student notifies the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility of the exam at least one week in advance.
    • The Director arranges a room and proctor for the exam—all attempts will be made to schedule the time to overlap with the regular class time; if conflicts arise, the instructor will be contacted to reach a satisfactory resolution.
    • The exam is delivered to the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility by either the instructor, a designee of the instructor, or the proctor; in order to ensure academic integrity, students should not deliver their own tests.
    • Special instructions should be included in writing with the exam (e.g. open book test).
    • Exams being proctored by the office of Academic Success and Accessibility will begin at the scheduled time. If the student is late, he or she will lose that portion of the scheduled exam time. If the exam starts late for reasons attributable to the College (e.g. room scheduling conflicts, exam not ready, proctor late), the scheduled ending time of the exam will be adjusted accordingly.
    • After the exam, the proctor will return the exam to the instructor.
  • Students who plan to take exams in the Testing Center or with the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility need to remind instructors of the alternate testing arrangements for each exam.
  • For students needing extended time for Biology Lab exams, arrangements will be made for proctoring exams at a specific set time designated by the Biology Department. Biology Lab exam times will be announced at the beginning of each semester.

 

Accommodations for Accuplacer Placement Assessments

Students needing accommodations for the Accuplacer Placement Exam administered by the College must contact the Director of Academic Success and Accessibility as described above and provide proper documentation before taking the test. Students should initiate this process as early as possible in order to be able to complete the placement test before they register for classes. Arrangements for accommodations will be made through the Academic Success and Accessibility office. To request an appointment to take the Accuplacer Placement Exam Request.

 

Accommodations for Licensing and Certification Exams

Students taking state or national licensing and/or certification exams must apply for accommodations through the organization that has authority over that exam. The Academic Success and Accessibility office can assist students in determining the application process, as can the academic program directors, and the Academic Success and Accessibility Director will provide the student with supporting documentation as needed, with a release of information. Students are strongly encouraged to initiate this process several months prior to the exam date in order to allow time for review and any follow-up needed. Please be aware that other testing agencies may require more extensive documentation, and you should check out their requirements well in advance.

2100 16th Avenue South 
Great Falls, MT 59405

Call: (406) 771-4300 

Fax: (406) 771-4317

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