Students with Disabilities

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, subsequent amendments and other applicable regulations protect qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disabilities.

Individuals with disabilities are defined as persons with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. People who have a record of or who are registered as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities are also covered. Major life activities include caring for oneself, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, and learning. Temporary conditions lasting less than six months are not considered a disability.

It is the policy of Trident not to deny any qualified individual with a disability access to or participation in any aspects of educational activities and services. To this end, it is the policy of Trident to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 AA standards. To the extent that any content is deemed not accessible, Trident will immediately take corrective action to remove any barriers to access, provide equally effective access and provide appropriate alternative content that is substantially equivalent. It is also the policy of Trident to offer reasonable accommodations in the form of modifications or adjustments that will enable a qualified student with a disability to participate in educational activities and services. Given the pedagogical model and the online nature of coursework at the institution, extended time for completion of assignments and modules is available as an accommodation upon request. Note that the ADA does not require modifications or adjustments that would fundamentally alter the nature of a service, the education or learning outcomes of a course or degree program; lower or substantially modify the academic standards; or compromise the integrity of the school, department, or program. Also, the ADA does not require modifications or adjustments that would impose an undue hardship on the institution. Undue hardship includes any action that is unduly costly, extensive, or disruptive. Further, Trident is not required to provide personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature, such as tutoring and typing. (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html)

All inquiries, requests, claims, or complaints by students or prospective students must be directed to the Center for Student Success following the procedures for verifying disability and requesting accommodations.

Procedures for Verifying Disability and Requesting Accommodations

Any student requesting reasonable accommodations must first provide documented proof of the claimed disability to the Disabilities Services Coordinator in the Center for Student Success using the Trident Verification of Disability form. This form must be provided to Trident prior to admission, upon diagnosis, or at the earliest that it is reasonably practical to provide documentation (whichever is earlier). This will allow enough time to review requests and provide appropriate accommodations.

The form must be completed in its entirety, providing:

• Claimant’s name and date of birth
• Name and contact information of physician or other professional verifying disability including signature
• Information about diagnosis and prognosis, as well as functional limitations resulting from the disability
• Clear statement of the accommodations being requested, including accommodations suggested by the physician or other professional

A Disabilities Services Coordinator will evaluate requests for accommodations after careful consideration of the information provided, including analysis of whether:

• The information provided is current
• The information is sufficiently detailed
• The provider identified has sufficient expertise
• The request is reasonable
• The requested accommodation represents a fundamental alteration or imposes an undue hardship
• Alternative accommodations will suffice

The Disabilities Services Coordinator after consultation with the appropriate Dean, Provost, and Office of Policy and Administration will render a decision on student requests for accommodations. Approval of accommodations will be effective as of the date approved or as noted in the Confirmation of Accommodation.

Any appeals or requests for exceptions must be directed to ADA 504 Coordinator, Tasha Cureton at Tasha.Cureton@Trident.edu.