Student/Faculty Handbook

How Disabilities are Defined

By definition of The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), a "person with a disability" is anyone with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning or working.

• Acquired Brain InjuryAcquired Brain Injury means a deficit in brain functioning which is non-degenerative and is medically verifiable, resulting in a total or partial loss of one or more of the following:
  • Cognitive, communication, motor, psycho-social and sensory perceptual abilities. (Administrative Code, Title V) Among the cognitive deficits persons with head injuries may experience are difficulties with concentration, memory, problem solving and abstract reasoning.
• Communication Disability - The Community College Chancellors Office defines a communication disability as: impairment in the processes of speech, language, or hearing.
  • Hearing impairment means a total or partial loss of hearing function which impedes the communications process essential to language, educational, social, and or cultural interactions; and,
  • Speech and language impairments mean one or more speech/language disorders of voice, articulation, rhythm and/or the receptive and expressive processes of language.
  • There are several different types of hearing and communication disabilities. Some can be partly corrected with a hearing aid and some cannot. Some kinds of disabilities do not simply reduce the volume of sound; they also distort it so that words cannot be understood.
• Developmentally Delayed Learners The Title V definition of a Developmentally Delayed Learner is a student who exhibits the following:
  • Below average intellectual functioning
  • Potential for measurable achievement in instructional and employment setting.

After a students general ability has been verified and related, and educational limitations identified. A certificated DSPS staff member will determine whether a student is "otherwise qualified" to receive services from DSPS. Once a determination is made, the DSPS staff member may recommend services and special classes on which have a reasonable chance of enhancing the students; goal attainment.
• Learning Disability - The Community College Chancellors Office defines a learning disability as: A persistent condition of presumed neurological dysfunction which may exist with other disabling conditions. This dysfunction continues despite instruction in standard classroom situations. To be categorized as learning disabled, a student must exhibit:
  • Average to above average intellectual ability;
  • Severe processing deficits;
  • Severe aptitude-achievement discrepancy(ies); and
  • Measured achievement in an instructional or employment setting.
• Mobility Limitation - The Community College Chancellors Office defines mobility limitation as: A serious limitation in locomotion or motor function.
  • Mobility limitations can include permanent or temporary disabilities. Many of the individuals who have mobility disabilities use canes, braces, wheelchairs in order to get around the campus and community. People with upper body mobility disabilities will have difficulty taking notes and completing other physical tasks. They will probably have note takers or audiocassette tape players to assist them. Many students with lower body mobility disabilities will simply require a wheelchair for mobility in the classroom. They will also use elevator and ramp access on the campus and in the community.
• Other Functional Limitation -The Community College Chancellors Office defines other functional limitations as: All students with disabilities, as defined in section 56002, who do not fall into any categories described in sections 56032-42, but who indicate a need for support services or instruction provided pursuant to sections 56026 and 56028. Disorders may include but are not limited to: Autism, ADD (H), chronic illness, etc.
  • Specific services will depend on the individual situation.
• Psychological Issues cover a wide range of conditions varying in symptoms and severity. In College the most commonly observed diagnoses are disorders of mood such as bipolar disorder and major depression. Other conditions are anxiety and panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. These disabilities are recognized to have a biological basis and many can be treated with appropriate psychotherapy and psychiatric medications.
  • Most students with these disabilities are limited with communication because they react to the increased stress of College by withdrawing.
  • Psychological disabilities limit times of class choice because the student's functioning fluctuates throughout the day. Student's attendance may be limited because of relapses or hospitalizations.
• Temporary DisabilitiesAny physical and or mental issues that are considered to be temporary.
• Visual Limitation - The Community College Chancellors Office defines visual limitation as: total or partial loss of sight.
  • This term, thus, includes people with extremely limited vision as well as those with none at all.
  • Blindness or visual disability is not a sign of mental handicap or hearing impairment. People with visual disabilities are just as varied in their abilities in these areas as any group of people.