Parkland College envisions a fully accessible, inclusive, and universally designed campus community. The college is committed to an accessible campus, in terms of physical spaces, programs, and services, for all students, employees, and visitors.

students looking at pamphlets in the student union

resources for People with Disabilities

"You have the power to influence your future. Keep learning, keep developing new ways to engage with the world, and keep believing that you have talents to share with the world." ~Haben Girma, human rights attorney and first DeafBlind person to graduate from Harvard Law School

Institutional Commitment to Accessibility

Parkland College is committed to an accessible campus, in terms of physical spaces, programs, and services, for all students, staff, and visitors. The Parkland Accessibility Committee, composed of representatives from across campus, coordinates the work toward this goal. See Policy 3.47 of the Parkland College Policies and Procedures Manual for more information

Physical Accessibility

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. 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.

Academic and Career Resources

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. Their office provides support and helps students determine, access, and use academic accommodations.

TRiO

TRiO Student Support Services at Parkland College promotes equal opportunity to succeed by providing high-quality and responsive support services for first-generation college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities.

Career Services

Whether you are a student choosing a college major or you 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.

Scholarships

Parkland Scholarships
Parkland offers a wide variety of merit-based, need-based, and identity-based scholarships. Search the list of Parkland Foundation scholarships which accept applications each fall and spring.
Community College Initiative
The Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services has a program that may be able to help defray the costs of education at an Illinois community college.
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
The Best Schools maintains a list of national scholarships and financial aid resources for students with disabilities.

Engagement and Mental Health Resources

Student 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 contact Accessibility Services.

Parkland Presents

Parkland Presents through our entertainment and educational venues: theatre, art gallery, music ensembles, planetarium, radio and television stations. If accommodations are needed for participation in any of these activities, contact Accessibility Services for assistance.

Center for Community Engagement

The Center for Community Engagement supports and promotes the active engagement of the College’s students, faculty, and staff in partnership with the communities of Illinois Community College District 505. Many volunteer opportunities are available and accessible to all students.

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.

Counseling Support Center

Our Counseling Support Center offers counseling services, workshops, peer mentoring, and more.

TalkCampus

Parkland is part of TalkCampus, an anonymous mental health peer support network, available to you 24/7. The TalkCampus platform combines intuitive design, clinical excellence, world-class technology and global support to over 250 institutions and millions of students worldwide. Available in 26 languages.

Improving Inclusion

We appreciate the campus community continuing to assist us in improving accessibility and inclusion. If you notice something that could be improved, please contact Accessibility Services or submit a Student Complaint Assistance Request Form.

Parkland Events

Day at Parkland

Each year Parkland invites high school students with disabilities to visit Parkland and learn about the supports available as they start their college journey. For more information, contact Accessibility Services.

Community Resources

Special Olympics

Champaign is part of Special Olympics Illinois Region I. 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.

Division of Rehabilitation Services

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), is the state’s leading agency serving individuals with disabilities. DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities.

PACE Center for Independent Living

Persons Assuming Control of their Environment, Inc. (PACE, Inc.) is a local organization run by and for people who have disabilities. They offer services which assist persons with disabilities in achieving and/or maintaining independence. Their goal is the full participation of persons with disabilities in the rights and responsibilities of society. They offer a variety of services and can assist with obtaining personal assistants.

The Autism Program, University of Illinois

The Autism Program (TAP) is an affiliate of the Autism Program of Illinois, and supports individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families by providing community resources and building capacity for autism services.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI Champaign seeks to improve the lives of individuals who live with mental illness, as well as all those who love them through public awareness, support, education, and advocacy. The offer support groups and in-person mental health services, classes, social events, community education, festivals, conferences, and more.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District maintains a list of affordable local mental and behavioral health services and resources.

National Resources

DREAM

DREAM (Disability Rights, Education Activism, and Mentoring) is a national organization for and by college students with disabilities. They advocate for student rights, increased accessibility, social and policy change, and support and mentorship to campus disability groups and individual students. DREAM is also an online disability cultural center for students who want to connect with other students.

National Center for College Students with Disabilities

NCCSD logo The National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) provides information and resources for future and current college students with disabilities.

College Autism Network

The College Autism Network (CAN) is a neurodiverse network of experts, committed professionals, and new learns who share a desire to make postsecondary institutions better at serving a neurodiverse student population. Each year they host the College Autism Summit, a place for people who support autistic college students, and for self-advocates themselves, to gather and share resources, ideas, and challenges.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading national organization focusing on mood disorders, which seeks to create safe and inclusive spaces for individuals to feel empowered on their own path to wellness. They offer peer-based, wellness-oriented support services and resources.

Title

Diversity