People with Disabilities

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

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.