Body
Owner: Sr. VP/Provost
Author: ADA Coordinator
Contact: hbober@css.edu, jjohnsto@css.edu
Effective date: 8/20/2024
Next review date: 08/20/2029
Applicable Laws, regulations, compliance: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Fair Housing Act
I. Purpose
This policy ensures that enrolled students with disabilities who require personal care assistance (PCA) at The College of Saint Scholastica have access to the necessary support, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
II. Definitions
Personal Care Attendant (PCA): A person who has been hired to support a student with a disability to live a more independent life by performing personal care duties or services. A PCA works directly for and is employed by the student with a disability. PCA services may include but are not limited to providing help with daily living activities, monitoring medical conditions, turning pages, retrieving books, and assisting with homework.
Disability: A disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008, is “A mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities , having a record of such impairment or being regarded as having such impairment.”
Reasonable accommodation: A modification to a class, program, or campus environment that allows an individual with a disability to participate in the class or program without creating an undue burden on The College or fundamentally altering academic, conduct, or performance requirements. Student requests for accommodations are determined by The Center for Equal Access.
Access Assistant: An employee hired by The Center for Equal Access who provides academic assistance to students with disabilities, such as assisting in physical manipulation in lab classes , scribing, and other course-related tasks.
Student with a disability: A student with a disability is a student who is enrolled in classes at The College of St. Scholastica who has a documented disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
III. Policy
General Policy on PCAs:
● The College of Saint Scholastica allows Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) to support students with disabilities in an academic, residential, and cocurricular settings.
● PCAs may attend classes, assist with campus navigation, and live on campus if necessary.
● The College does not provide or fund PCA services and is not liable for consequences stemming from a student’s relationship with their PCA.
Student Responsibilities:
● Students are responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and paying for their PCA(s).
● Students are responsible for their PCA’s conduct and ensuring adherence to all College policies.
● Students must ensure PCAs are non-academic participants and maintain professional boundaries.
PCA Responsibilities:
● PCAs must adhere to all College policies, including the code of conduct and Residential Life rules.
● PCAs may only access residence halls when the student is present and on campus.
● PCAs must sign the PCA agreement and meet any additional requirements (e.g., background checks, PPE, vaccinations).
Faculty Responsibilities:
● Faculty must collaborate with The Center for Equal Access (CEA) to accommodate PCA presence and address any conduct issues.
IV. Related Documents, Forms, and Procedures
Students with disabilities that need PCA support, PCAs.
Faculty and staff who interact with the student who is approved to have a PCA.
V. Related Documents, Forms, and Procedures
Faculty Information Sheet
Personal Care Attendant Agreement Form
Personal Care Attendant Procedures
VI. History and Updates
The College reserves the right to modify policies at any time, ensuring the involvement of relevant committees and constituents in the decision-making process (e.g., policy committee, faculty assembly, staff council, student government association, etc.)