Student Disability Services

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that governs early intervention, special education, and related services for disabled school children ages 3 – 21 or through high school graduation. The IDEA requires public schools to create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for each disabled child. IEPs are developed by the educational team for the child and seek to tailor the child’s educational program to meet his or her individualized needs, which may include participation in a special education program. The IEP is designed to promote student success in the K-12 system.

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a law that protects individuals from discrimination based on their disability in connection with any public or private program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. The Act is divided into seven Subparts — Subpart D applies to K-12 schools, and Subpart E applies to postsecondary institutions. A 504 Plan is developed when a K-12 student needs certain accommodations and modifications to either the physical space in the school or the learning environment. This excludes special education programs, as these would be part of an IEP under the IDEA. Subpart E states that postsecondary students must be granted the opportunity to compete with their non-disabled peers.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal civil rights law designed to provide equal opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities, including students. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of a qualified disability and ensures that qualified disabled students can have equal access and opportunity for participation in the programs, services, and activities offered by a recipient of federal financial assistance. The ADA was amended in 2008 by, among other things, expanding the definition of disability and what it means to be regarded as disabled under the statute.

Different from accommodations provided for kindergarten through high school-aged students, college students must take the initiative to disclose their disabilities and request accommodations to meet their individual needs. Individuals may experience different services and levels of service at each institution they attend. 

Understanding the Differences

CWI recognizes and supports the assistance a trained service animal can provide a student with a disability. In order for a service animal to be allowed on campus, certain conditions must be met. Requests for service animals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It is the student's responsibility to supply required and requested information to establish this accommodation.

What is a Service Animal?

A service animal is any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.

Animals used for the expressed purpose of companionship pets or emotional support/therapy dogs DO NOT qualify as service animals as they are not providing a service. As such, companion animals are not allowed on campus. 

Service Animal Documentation

While documentation for a service animal is not required under the ADA, the College may ask if the animal is a service animal and/or what tasks the animal has been trained to perform. Other than these two basic questions, the College is not permitted to ask for any specifics pertaining to an individual's service animal.  

A student with a disability may be asked to remove their service animal if:

• the animal is out of control and/or if the the owner is not taking effective action to control the animal's behavior
• the animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others

Student Responsibilities

Service animals will be viewed by CWI as an extension of the student and are, therefore, subject to the Student Code of Conduct. Service animals are not permitted to roam free. Animals must be leashed in public on a leash no longer than 10 feet unless in a car or under the control of a competent attendant. Animals running free are subject to impoundment. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct will follow established procedures set forth by the College. 

Students using a service animal assume full responsibility for the care and management of their service animal including: 

• food, water, and shelter
• managing the animal behavior on campus and in the community
• the animal's health and wellness
• disposal of animal waste in an appropriate manner