Disability Resources

Contact Disability Accommodation Resource Specialist

Email: vedgewater@navajotech.edu
Phone: 505.387.7396

Student eligibility process

Requesting accommodations from Disability Accommodation Resources (DAR) is a three-part process:

1. Self-Identification (type of disability)
2. Providing disability information or documentation from High School IEP or Medical Doctor.
3. Intake Interview

Step 1: Self-identify Application form

The first part of this process is to self-identify as a student with a disability requesting accommodations. Self-identify means the student recognizes they have a disability and would like to request accommodations. Student’s attending a post-secondary institution are responsible for identifying themselves to DAR, as a person with a disability.

To begin this process, please review the instructions and information found in the self-identification process. Once you have become familiar with this process and are ready to begin, you may complete the self-identification application form online. Please, if possible, attach your information/documentation to the Self-ID form when submitting.

Step 2: Providing disability information/documentation

In order to evaluate accommodation and service requests, Disability Resources will need information about how your disability is likely to impact you here at Navajo Technical University. We want to understand the relevant impacts of your disability on tasks like communication, reading, writing, housing, technology, dining, the physical environment, classroom and laboratory and on line learning, etc. Information on the impacts of physical (mobility, dexterity, endurance, etc.), perceptual, cognitive (attention, distractibility, communication, etc.), and behavioral abilities may be helpful as well.

Any information/documentation students can readily share during or prior to the first meeting is helpful and can save the need for follow up meetings with Disability Resources. If you have information or documentation you can submit it to Disability Resources by:

• bringing it to our office in Room 228 at the Wellness Building, NTU Campus
• emailing it to vedgewater@navajotech.edu, fax it to 505-786-5644
• mail it to: Disability Accommodation Resources, P.O. Box 849, Crownpoint, New Mexico 87313.

Disability Resources may ask for additional documentation concerning your disability and/or the need for accommodations. If such documentation is necessary, it will be limited to the need for the accommodation requested. We will consider any information, including but not limited to, your description of your needs; records of past accommodations and services from high school, another college, state or high stakes testing organization; formal psychological or medical evaluations, and letters from past health, education or service providers.

These general guidelines were developed to assist you and those in your support network to prepare this information so we can evaluate your request and make recommendations. If you have questions, please contact us at 505-387-7396 or vedgewater@navajotech.edu

Step 3: Intake interview

The Intake Interview is a critical step toward determining eligibility. Once a student has completed and submitted their Self-Identification form, a DR Specialist will call or email them to complete this interview. The purpose of the interview is to learn first-hand, from the student, what functional limitations students are experiencing and what accommodations they will need. This interactive process allows both the student and DR Specialist to work together to determine the most appropriate accommodations for that student.

Evaluation of eligibility

In order to be eligible for accommodations through Disability Resources, you must:

• Have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities that includes, but is not limited to, walking, talking, learning, hearing, or seeing.
• Have and provide current and appropriate information/documentation of such a disability, when necessary.

As a service to prospective Navajo Technical University students, Disability Resources will review disability related information/documentation regardless of a prospective student’s admission status.

Considering the length of time it may take to complete an intake interview, and the information and documentation evaluation, students are strongly encouraged to begin the eligibility process as early as possible.

All information submitted to Navajo Technical University Disability Resources becomes part of a student’s “educational record” as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The information contained from the student’s interview and in the information/documentation will be used to determine eligibility. Appropriate accommodations will be based upon a student’s disability and individual needs.