NHCC values every student and is committed to providing equal access to college for all students. One way NHCC works to ensure equal access to education is through Access Services, which provides accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Access Services staff are available to meet with you in person, by phone, Zoom (video call), or email. Please call or email Access Services to schedule your appointment.
Overview
Access Services is dedicated to ensuring equal access to the college for students with physical, learning, psychiatric, and other documented disabilities. Its role is to certify student eligibility for services, obtain and maintain disability-related documents, determine reasonable accommodations and develop plans to provide those services based on a students' individual needs. In addition, Access Services also supports and encourages student success, resolves disability-related student concerns and refers students with disabilities to appropriate resources as needed. North Hennepin also adheres to Minnesota State's Policy 1B.4 Access and Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
Note: Receiving an accommodation does not change a student's responsibility to meet the classroom and academic standards of a course, nor does it change the essence of a program.
"I am very grateful to Access Services for helping me in the spring of 2020 … I would like partially blind, or completely blind students coming to North Hennepin, to know that the professors are accommodating and that there are truly nice and open people here."
Greg | Liberal Arts Student
Requesting Access Services
Students who require accommodation due to a disability need to request for services through the Access Services Office. Any information shared is considered private information under state and federal law.
Access Services Student Requests Steps
Submit an Access Services Request to the Access Services team. Please be prepared to enter information about your disability, impact, documentation, and possible accommodations. Please plan ahead of your need as accommodations are not retroactive, and some may take time to put in place.
Share documentation to support your accommodation requests. Acceptable sources of documentation for your a disability and requests for particular accommodations can take a variety of forms. Approved accommodations are based on how the impairment limits the student's functioning on a day to day basis and in the academic setting. Documents can be uploaded to the Access Services Request directly, submitted to the secure upload with Access Services selected (an active StarID and password are required), or sent to Access Services directly via Fax: 763-493-0565. Please be sure your name and disability information are included on the submitted documentation.
Attend a Welcome Meeting with the Director of Access Services to determine reasonable, appropriate, approved accommodations for you, and learn how North Hennepin Access Services can help you. We will also provide you will additional resources you may be eligible for at North Hennepin and answer other questions you may have.
To make an appointment, please contact Access Services at 763-493-0555
Check-in with Access Services Semesterly to be sure we can send your accommodations to your instructors. Your check-in can be as simple as filling out this Semesterly Check-in, which asks which courses you would like Access Services to send your Accommodations to for the following term.
This must be completed after you have registered for classes. If you adjust your schedule, and would like to adjust your choices please fill out the form again or notify Access Services as soon as possible. By completing this form, students grant Access Services permission to notify their instructors of their approved accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to promptly report any concerns regarding their accommodations to Access Services.
In accordance with the Minnesota RISE Act, Access Services will be responsible to ‘provide the student’s accommodation letter to the student’s instructors, if the student gives permission’. Students will be responsible to complete this form each semester.
Students who are concerned about program access or a denial of an accommodation should discuss the concern with the Access Services Director, Jessica Fraser. Students who would like to appeal the denial of an accommodation request or program access may use the Student Complaint/Grievance form online or available in the CARE Center (ES118).
Temporary Services
In certain circumstances, the Access Services Office permits the implementation of services during a grace period while the student pursues current documentation, which is not to exceed one term. In order to be eligible for a grace period, the student must meet with the Director of the Access Services office for a screening.
In addition, Access Services may provide temporary assistance to students requiring services due to a temporary medical condition affecting a student’s ability to participate in the educational process. Medical documentation verifying the temporary need may be required.
Access Services FAQs
Access Services supports students with physical, learning, psychiatric, and other documented disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations.
Accommodations are not retroactive, so you should meet with Access Services as soon as possible. All services are free of charge.
1. Complete the application for accommodations. The application is available online at nhcc.edu/access-services or paper copies can be picked up at the Access Services Office (LRC 165/LRC 166).
2. Submit documentation. Acceptable documentation should be current and/or reflect current level of functioning, be from a qualified professional, and state the diagnosis of disability.
3. Meet with the Director of Access Services to determine reasonable accommodations. During the appointment, please be prepared to discuss your disability and its impact, required documentation, possible accommodations, and policies and procedures for receiving disability services.
Potential accommodations include:
- Accessible Adaptive Software
- Volunteer Note Takers
- Extended Testing Time
- Low Distraction Testing Area
- Textbooks in Alternative Format (Audio, PDF, Print)
- ASL Interpreters/CART
- Adjustable Furniture
Contact Us
Location & Contact
Location
Learning Resource Center (LRC) Rooms 162 & 166
Phone
763-493-0555
Fax Number
763-493-0565
Email
AccessServices@nhcc.edu
Access Services Hours
In-Person and Virtual
Monday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday Services
Sunday: Closed
Staff may be available outside of these hours by Appointment Only. "