Institutional Commitment to Accessibility
The college has developed Policy 3.47
and established the Parkland Accessibility Committee which consists of
the dean of counseling services, faculty representation from each
academic division, and representation of staff or administrators working
in the areas of accessibility services, instructional technology
support, campus technologies, marketing, and physical plant. Additional
representation from other campus groups including academic services will
be included as needed to focus on specific areas of accessibility (such
as web content, facilities, or faculty support).
Physical
Parkland College is committed to having physical spaces that are
accessible to all. When designing and updating campus, we consider the
range of abilities and characteristics that students, employees, and
visitors may have and consistently work on improving accessibility and
enhancing spaces. In addition, when an event or instruction is happening
at off-campus sites, we strive to ensure those spaces are accessible.
If accessibility needs are identified, please contact accessibility
services to get reasonable accommodations.
Academic Accessibility
Parkland College is committed to developing instructional materials
that are accessible. The college has a process for selection of all
instructional materials, including but not limited to printed and
electronic textbooks. Faculty have the responsibility for selection of
materials and strive to ensure materials are accessible. Academic
departments work closely with accessibility services to eliminate any
barriers to access.
The Learning Commons has accessible furniture and offers resources to
assist those with disabilities including a computer with screen reader
software, a scanner with Optical Character Recognition to make more
accessible documents, tutors trained in assisting students with
disabilities, and other resources.
Web and Software Accessibility
Parkland College is committed to web and software accessibility. All
web pages and other web resources published, hosted, or otherwise used
by the college will comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, the most current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and
any other applicable federal and state requirements. Software and
assistive technology are reviewed with accessibility in mind.
Accommodations
Parkland College is committed to reducing barriers to access and has a
department of accessibility services. Accessibility services works in
partnership with the college community to facilitate equal access for
people with disabilities to the educational programs, services, and
activities of Parkland College in accordance with federal law. The
information to start this process can be found at
Accessibility Services Forms page.
Resources
Academic
Accessibility Services
works in partnership with the college community to facilitate equal
access for people with disabilities to the educational programs,
services, and activities of Parkland College in accordance with federal
law.
TRiO Student Support Services
at Parkland College provides high quality and responsive support
services for first-generation college students, low-income students, and
students with disabilities.
Career
Career Services
Whether you are a student choosing a college major or are a dislocated worker, career changer, or retiree, we have career resources and services designed to assist you. There are a variety of job search resources for those with disabilities and for other populations.
Student Activities and Organizations
Student Life maintains a list of student organizations
that are currently active, as well as ones that have existed in the
past but have become inactive. If you do not find one that meets your
interests, contact Student Life for information on starting a new one.
If an accommodation is needed for a student activity, please see the
Accessibility Services page. Some examples of student organizations include Board Game Club and Psi Beta Psychology Club.
Parkland Presents
entertainment and educational venues; theatre, art gallery, music
ensembles, planetarium, radio and television stations. People with
disabilities can participate in these activities in various ways. If
accommodations are needed, please see the
Accessibility Services page.
Community Engagement
Center for Community Engagement
Students with disabilities can volunteer and be involved in community engagement. Please see the Center for Community Engagement for more information.
Special Olympics - Region 1
There are many opportunities available for you to get involved with
Special Olympics including serving as a volunteer or committee member,
helping with fundraising or competing as an athlete.
Community Resources
Division of Rehab Services
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state’s lead
agency serving persons with disabilities. Their staff work one-on-one
with individuals who have disabilities and their families to empower
them to reach their employment, education, and independent living goals.
Promise Healthcare
The Promise Healthcare family of clinics provide primary care
services matching patients with a provider who will develop a caring
relationship with them, helping to treat both adult and pediatric
patients on chronic and acute illness, behavioral health, dental
services, wellness exams and prevention strategies, family planning,
medication assistance, COVID Care and many other services.
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
Lists a number of affordable mental and behavioral health services and resources.
The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance
DBSA is a peer-run support group for those individuals dealing with mood disorders. For information contact sbsaurbana@gmail.com or go to cudbsa.org.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI offers support to individuals with Mental Illnesses and their
families through groups and meetings. There are also informational
presentations and opportunities for volunteering. For information
contact
info@nami.org or visit namichampaign.org.
Personal Care Assistants
Personal assistants are the responsibility of the student. Students
who need personal care assistants should acquire such assistants
independently and they are paid by the students. Personal care
assistants may assist in personal care issues such as feeding and using
the restrooms. Students with personal care attendants need to complete a
personal care assistant form through Accessibility Services. Parkland’s
Occupational Therapy program can sometimes assist in location of
personal assistant resources. Please contact Michelle Roberts,
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director, at
mroberts@parkland.edu to initiate the process.
PACE Center for Independent Living
Persons Assuming Control of their Environment, Inc. Is a local
organization that offers services which assist persons with disabilities
in achieving and/or maintaining independence. They can assist with
obtaining personal assistants. Their goal is the full participation of
persons with disabilities in the rights and responsibilities of society.
The core services of our organization are
Independent Living Skills, Advocacy, Information & Referral, Peer Counseling, and Transition.
Assist Parkland in Improving Inclusion
We appreciate the campus community continuing to assist us in
improving inclusion. If you notice something that would help Parkland
with our diversity and inclusion please feel free to submit a
Student Complaint Form.