resources forÌýPeople 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."Ìý ~Haben Girma, human rights attorney and first DeafBlind person to graduate from Harvard Law School

Institutional Commitment to Accessibility

Parkland ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv 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 ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv Policies and Procedures Manual for more information

Physical Accessibility

Physical Accessibility

Parkland ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv 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

Academic Accessibility

Parkland ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv 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

Web and Software Accessibility

Parkland ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv 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 ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv 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 ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv in accordance with federal law. The information to start this process can be found atÌýAccessibility Services Forms.

Academic and CareerÌýResources

Accessibility Services

Accessibility ServicesÌýworks in partnership with the college community to facilitate equal access for people with disabilities to the educational programs, services, and activities of Parkland ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv in accordance with federal law. Their office provides support andÌýhelps students determine, access, and use academic accommodations.

TRiO

TRiO Student Support ServicesÌýat Parkland ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv 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 haveÌýcareer resources and servicesÌýdesigned to assist you.ÌýThere are a variety ofÌýjob search resources for those with disabilities and for other populations.

Scholarships

  • Parkland ScholarshipsÌý
    Parkland offers a wide variety of merit-based, need-based, and identity-based scholarships. Search the list ofÌýÌýwhich accept applications each fall and spring.

  • The has a program that may be able to help defray the costs of education at an Illinois community college.
  • Ìý
    The Best Schools maintains aÌýÌýfor students with disabilities.Ìý

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.Ìý

Parkland Presents

Parkland PresentsÌýthrough ourÌýentertainment and educational venues:Ìýtheatre, art gallery, music ensembles, planetarium, radioÌýand 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 ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv’s students, faculty, and staff in partnership with the communities of Illinois Community ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv 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, atÌýmroberts@parkland.eduÌýto initiate the process.

Counseling Support Center

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

Parkland is part of , 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 aÌýStudent 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.Ìý

Community Resources

Community Resources

SOILL LogoChampaign is part of . 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.

IDHS logoThe Illinois Department of Human Services, , 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 logo 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.

TAP logo 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.

NAMI logo 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.

CUPHD logoThe maintains a list of affordable local mental and behavioral health services and resources.


National Resources

National Resources

DREAM logo 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.

NCCSD logoThe provides information and resources for future and current college students with disabilities.

CAN logoThe 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 ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉútv Autism Summit, a place for people who support autistic college students, and for self-advocates themselves, to gather and share resources, ideas, and challenges.

DBSA logoThe 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.