Hilary Dahlman, Interim Director of
Access & Disability Resources
(inside Enrollment Services)
MN Dept. Human Rights
The purpose of the Office of Access & Disability Resources is to eliminate barriers, to provide reasonable accommodations in order to level the playing field for such persons.
Below are links to government disability law and guidance acts and policies:
The following definitions apply in regard to disability law.
Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record or documentation of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.
Documentation must be current and must be from an appropriate professional, such as a medical doctor, psychologist and/or psychiatrist, and must include:
- Diagnosis of disability
- Functional limitations on major life activities
- Recommendations for reasonable modifications
Major Life Activities
Major life activities are defined as follows:
- Caring for one-self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, sitting, standing, lifting, reaching, sleeping
- Mental and emotional processes such as thinking, concentrating, and interacting with others.
Exclusions to Major Life Activities
The following activities are excluded from the disability definition of major life activities:
- The EEOC excludes compulsive gambling, kleptomania, pyromania, and psychoactive disorders that are a result of current use of illegal drugs.
- Traits and behaviors of stress, irritability, chronic lateness, and poor judgment, in and of themselves are not included in the definition of disability.
- A qualified person with a disability may not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of themselves or others.
A “Qualified Individual” is defined as a person with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation for a Saint Paul College program or activity, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the program or activity
Reasonable accommodations are defined as follows:
- Reasonable modifications to ensure equal access
- Removal of architectural barriers
- Provision of auxiliary aids and/or services
Exception to Reasonable Accommodations
The following are exceptions to reasonable accommodations:
- An accommodation is not reasonable if it results in undue burden or hardship for Saint Paul College.
- An accommodation is not reasonable if it results in a fundamental alteration or compromises the essential elements of an academic standard. Students with disabilities must meet the same academic requirements as other Saint Paul College students.
Related Regulations and Policies
Class Attendance and Participation
Class attendance and participation is an obligation of all students. No right or privilege exists that permits students to be absent from a given number of class meetings. Absences from class for valid reasons (including disability related situations) are excused only by the instructor.
Code of Student Conduct
All students, with or without a disability are held accountable to the standards of behavior within the Code of Student Conduct
Privacy of Information
A disability diagnosis and supporting documentation is considered private information and such information is generally limited to the Office of Access & Disability Resources. The release of private information requires a student’s written authorization. The exception to this is noted in Section IV Release without Consent of Saint Paul College Privacy of Education Records policy.
Student Complaints and Grievances
The Student Complaints and Grievances policy underscores the importance and the value of using the most direct approach to resolving a concern or complaint. Any student with a concern or complaint about disability access services should first attempt to address their concern with the Interim Director of Access & Disability
Resources, Hilary Dahlman. In the event the concern or complaint remains unresolved after this first step, the student may next address their concern with Kelly Murtaugh, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, 651.846.1363 or Office 1419.
Nothing in Saint Paul College policy or procedure prevents individuals who believe that they have a grievance under the ADA from contacting the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the Equal Opportunity Commission, or the U.S. Department of Justice.