Student Disability Policy

Michigan Tech is committed to ensuring that all qualified individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to take part in educational programs and services on an equal basis. The aim is to provide this opportunity in an integrated setting that fosters independence and meets the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Definition of an Individual with a Disability

These policies apply to those who meet the definition of having a disability as set forth by the American with Disabilities Act. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as;

  • a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,
  • a person who has a record of such an impairment, or
  • a person who is regarded as having such an impairment.

Eligibility for Services

To be eligible for services, students with disabilities must identify themselves and present professional documentation to the Coordinator for Student Disability Services. Until appropriate documentation is provided, support for the student’s disability may not be provided.

How to document a disability.

Students who wish to have services available at the beginning of the semester should make certain their documentation is in place six weeks before the start of classes and should meet with the Coordinator of Student Disability Services in advance to discuss necessary accommodations. While efforts are made to meet accommodation requests on shorter notice, students cannot be guaranteed immediate accommodations without providing documentation according to our policy.

Any person who believes she or he has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a grievance. Retaliation against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance is prohibited.  Please visit Institutional Equity, 504 Grievance Procedures for more information.

Test Accommodations

In order to ensure accommodations for testing, students must notify their professors of the need at the beginning of the semester by registering with Student Disability Services, followed by logging into MyMichiganTech and completing the Request Accommodations form. Students must provide their instructors at least five business days notice before a test, in order to receive accommodations. Last-minute requests for test accommodations cannot be supported by the SDS office. (A business day is Monday — Friday, 8 a.m. — 5 p.m., not counting holidays.)

Proctoring is arranged through the Michigan Tech Testing Center. Your instructor should use the online form to request a time and a place for testing.

Behavioral Concerns

The ADA does not excuse the inappropriate behavior of students.

  • A student is not otherwise qualified if he/she cannot comply with the institutional code of conduct or if he/she poses a serious risk of harm to self or others.
  • An institution may discipline a student with a disability for engaging in misconduct if it would impose the same discipline on a student without a disability.
  • Misconduct due to not taking prescribed medication does not have to be accommodated.

Service Animals

The use of service animals at Michigan Tech—including in housing—is in compliance with the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act.

Michigan Tech retains the right to determine if an animal is being used as a service provider. Signs of a service animal include the following:

  • The animal wears a harness, vest, tag, or is otherwise visibly part of an organized service program.
  • The owner of the animal is able, and required, to keep the animal under control both in the presence of others and in regard to non-destructive use of housing.
  • The owner is able to describe the tasks the animal performs and how the animal accomplishes these tasks, e.g., seizure warning, signaling for the deaf, or assistance for persons who use wheelchairs or are mobility impaired.