Access and Disability Services

The mission of the ADS is to create a comprehensively accessible environment where individuals are viewed on the basis of ability, not disability. Harper College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

An orientation program, academic advising, counseling and support services are available to students with disabilities. The ADS office will assist students in choosing their courses, setting career goals, maintaining good academic standing and planning for after college. Specialized services include instructional support and specialized courses for deaf/hard of hearing students. The Program to Achieve Student Success (PASS), is a fee for service program for students with learning disabilities and ADD that offers one-on-one specialized instruction on a weekly basis. Diagnostic testing for learning disabilities is also available for a fee.

A program known as ACHIEVE! is open to students with disabilities who are at risk academically, are seeking a college degree and who need coordinated academic support. First generation college students and students with economic/
financial need who are disabled are also encouraged to participate. Students will receive counseling, mentoring, access to tutoring, transfer assistance and monitoring of academic progress. Contact the Counselor or Retention Specialist for the ACHIEVE! program.

New students should identify themselves, apply for supportive services/accommodations and furnish the ADS office with pertinent information about the nature and extent of their disability. This information will be kept confidential and will be used to plan for appropriate services and accommodations. All new students will be interviewed and will participate in the College assessment program. Testing can be adapted to meet individualized needs (materials in Braille, large print or audio tape) and extended time can be provided. Students are expected to take responsibility for the management of their services.

Besides providing services, the ADS office offers students the use of a wide variety of specialized equipment (Kurzweil Reading System with optical character scanner, Phonic Ear FM Transmission System, computers with large print, speech output CCTVs [Closed Circuit TV systems for print magnification] and other adaptations). Some equipment may be borrowed for personal use. The ADS office works closely with the faculty and staff of other departments at Harper to insure that the campus is physically, electronically and programmatically accessible to students with disabilities. Students are integrated into the mainstream of College life and resolve problems through the ordinary channels as much as possible.

Students interested in securing these services should contact the Center for Access and Disability Services at the earliest possible date 847.925.6266 (voice). The ADS office is located in the Science, Math and Health Careers Center, D119. The TTY number is 847.397.7600. To receive services, students must have an intake interview, turn in an ADS schedule form and make requests for accommodations. Availability of some services may be limited for students who turn in class schedules after the last full day of open registration, prior to the beginning of a semester.

ADS also provides information, accommodations and services to campus visitors as needed. Requests for information or services should be made to the director of ADS.

Employees of the college who need reasonable accommodations should contact Human Resources to obtain procedures for requesting accommodations.

Midwest Center for Postsecondary Outreach: ADS serves as an outreach site for this center which is based at St. Paul Technical College in St. Paul, Minnesota. The MCPO is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is committed to increasing access to and opportunity for post-secondary education for Deaf/Hard of Hearing persons in the midwest. ADS works specifically with colleges in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.