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 apply for services through the Access Services Office. Any information shared is considered private information under state and federal law.
Application Steps
Submit an application for services to the Access Services Director. Be prepared to discuss your disability, impact, documentation, possible accommodations, and policies and procedures. Please plan ahead of your need as accommodations are not retroactive.
Submit documentation to support your accommodation requests. Acceptable sources of documentation for substantiating 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. To substantiate a student's disability and requests for specific accommodations, acceptable documentation should be sent to Jessica.Fraser@nhcc.edu via Minnstate's Secure File Share. An active StarID and password are required.
Engage in a dialogue process with the Access Services Director to determine reasonable, appropriate, approved accommodations.
To make an appointment, please contact Access Services at 763-493-0555
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
Email
AccessServices@nhcc.edu
Access Services Hours
In-person & virtual
Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday: Saturday Services
Sunday: Closed