Prospective Students
Contact
Center for Disability ResourcesKagin Commons 651-696-6748
651-696-6698 (fax)
disabilityresources@macalester.edu
Are you thinking about joining the Macalester family and are interested in finding out more about Center for Disability Resources before you make your final decision?
We understand that the quality of Center for Disability Resources helps to inform your decision about the college you will choose to attend. Please use this page as a resource to answer any questions you may have about the accommodation process and other information related to services for students with disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, accommodations and services are provided for students with documented disabilities to provide equal access to educational programs and services in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990 as amended in 2008).
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No, the admission process and criteria are the same for all students applying to Macalester. disability status will not be a consideration in admission decisions.
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Yes, depending on availability, you may set up a time to meet with the Center for Disability Resources. Arrangements can be through the Admissions office. However, please note, Disability Resources cannot make any determination of accommodations or review of documentation during campus visits. Documentation is reviewed only after students are accepted and deposited.
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No, any disability related documentation should be submitted directly to Disability Resources only after you have been accepted, chosen to attend Macalester, and made your deposit.
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Accommodation requests for incoming students should be submitted directly to Disability Resources once you have deposited. Although the accommodation process is rolling and there is no deadline, accommodation requests along with disability documentation should be submitted by July 1 to ensure that accommodations can be approved and implemented in a timely manner. Review of accommodation requests and documentation for incoming students will not begin until after the end of the spring Semester.
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No, Macalester College does not charge a fee for support from Disability Resources. Students are responsible for aids or assistance of a personal nature such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, computers to be used at home or attendants for services of a personal nature including assistance with bathing, dressing or life coaching.
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Students who are interested in seeking out accommodations would start by completing the AIM Application. Once this is submitted, the student should schedule a meeting with Disability Resources. Students will also be asked to provide supporting documentation related to their disability. It is up to the student to initiate the accommodation process. Links to the AIM Application and the Documentation Guidelines are available on our Disability Resources webpage.
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Information about documentation can be found on the Documentation section of our Disability Resources webpage. Documentation must be relevant, comprehensive, and provide a nexus between the disability and the accommodations being requested.
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The Center for Disability Resources provides academic, housing, and dietary related accommodations. Temporary accommodations may also be provided due to an injury or severe illness. All accommodations are determined on a case by case basis.
Examples of potential reasonable accommodations include but are not limited to:
– Extended Time on Exams
– Distraction Reduced Testing Enviornement
– Note-Taking Assistantce
– Limited Flexability with Absences and Assignment Deadlines
– Permisson to Record Lectures
– Housing Accommodations
– Dietary Accommodations
– Textbooks/ Materials in Alternative Format
– Use of Assistive Technology -
The Center for Disability Resources does have a variety of Assistive Technology available for students with disabilities. Students who are interested in learning more can visit the Assistive Technology section of our webpage.
Differences between High School and College
Seeking accommodations at Macalester is different than in high school. Understanding the differences and learning how to navigate this process is critical to determining what is required.
| High School | College |
| Education is a right and must be provided in an appropriate environment | Education is not a right; students must meet the same admissions criteria as students without disabilities |
| The school system is responsible for identifying a student’s disability | Students must self-identify in order to obtain services and accommodations |
| Individualized Education Plans, IEPs, are in place to discuss the student’s progress | No annual review or IEP is held; students are responsible for monitoring their own progress |
| Many schools provide educational and psychological testing free of charge | Once accepted to the college, the student must provide appropriate documentation of the disability |
| Course modifications are made in order to facilitate student success | Fundamental alterations of programs or curricula are NOT required |