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Disability Services Handbook

Your interest in Accessibility Services is welcomed and appreciated. This handbook serves as your guide to disability-related issues at New Mexico Highlands University. It describes services provided, important policy and procedures, and offers assistance in dealing with areas of concern for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to read and understand the information contained in this handbook. A thorough knowledge of the contents will significantly enhance your educational success while at Highlands. Parents, faculty, and university staff will also gain value from the content of this manual. Alternate forms of this handbook can be procured from Accessibility Services using the contact information on the back cover.

Notices

Legal Notice: Policy, procedures, and services provided and implemented by Accessibility Services are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1991, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1974 (as amended), and other laws governing the disabled. Accessibility Services also adheres to the professional code of conduct adhered to by the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). Individuals have a right to file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Education. The address of the OCR Regional Office that covers New Mexico is: Office of Civil Rights/ED, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582. Telephone: 303-844-5695, FAX: 303-844-4303; TDD: 303-844-3417. E-mail: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.

Confidentiality Notice: As an ethical matter, Accessibility Services places the highest priority upon maintaining confidentiality of all personal information in its care. We are aware of the fact that individuals with disabilities still face misunderstanding and discrimination. Student records in the possession of Accessibility Services are governed under the legal requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This law prevents release of student information to individuals outside the university unless explicit consent is given by the student. Note that confidential information may be shared with university employees outside of Accessibility Services if deemed necessary to ensure the successful implementation of accommodations or to respond to a student grievance or appeal. Full information about FERPA can be found on the Web site of the U.S. Department of Education.

Conduct Notice: Students with disabilities are held responsible for the same university standards of conduct as students without disabilities. This includes attendance and arriving to class on time unless specifically deemed necessary by official documentation and/or if specific situations arise. The existence of a disability, in and of itself, does not excuse behavior that is in violation of the student code of conduct. This code of conduct is located in the Student Handbook and is included in this handbook by reference. Students found in serious violation of the code of conduct may be refused future services.

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