Disability Services

It is a condition which limits a person's ability to function normally. It can be total or partial, temporary* or permanent.

Psychological and emotional disorders:

For the purpose of this policy "psychological and emotional" disorders, refer to disorders that affect the normal functioning of the student in the College negatively.

Learning disability:

Learning disability is a condition which prevents or interferes with a student's ability to learn basic skills and/or acquire information, in comparison with most people of the same age. Learning disability is a disorder in basic psychological processes which have to do with the comprehension or use of language, whether oral or written.

It may be manifested as an inadequate ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, and spell or to do mathematical calculations. The term includes conditions such as perceptual obstacles, brain injuries, minimal brain dysfunction and dyslexia development aphasia (inability to speak).

Physical disability:

Any condition which limits the execution of daily tasks by means of traditional methods.

Visual impairment/disability:

Inability to execute certain tasks as result of a visual handicap.

Hearing disability:

Diminished or lack of ability to perceive auditory information.

Mental disabilities:

A development impediment which is characterized by limited intellectual functioning.An IQ of less than 70 is generally required for a diagnosis of mental disability, together with an inadequate functioning with regard to age related daily tasks. Some people with mental disability can acquire skills necessary to work, with minimal support, while others require a considerable level of support/assistance service(s) right throughout their lives.

Inclusive:

Be accessible to learners with special needs in mainstream education and training.

*The management of temporary disabilities is addressed in the Education and Training policy (amanuensis).

Identified disabilities, and the extent thereof, that are integrated into main stream education and training

Boland College will admit students with abovementioned disabilities to education and training within the stipulations mentioned with each one:

Psychological and emotional disorders as well as attention deficit:

• Medical records of students whose needs have been identified must be requested when students are interviewed or register. Codes with regard to what students are capable of and what not, must be included or be acquired from relevant practitioners.
• Reports must be analyzed and interpreted by experts and contain a recommendation indicating how such student should be handled.
• Boland College will put a mechanism in place to identify students that display deviant behaviour in order to establish how to manage it.

Learning disabilities

(Dyslexia, reading and writing problems, lack of listening and reasoning skills as well as number skills)

• The previous learning experience and place of learning will be evaluated when enquiring or registering.
• Boland College will be able to accommodate a limited number of students with this disability. Refer to c) below.
• Reports from psychologists are requested so that provision can be made in time for assistance/support.
• All new students will do a skills test during the registration period in order to establish the level of reading, comprehension, writing and computer skills.
• Results of tests must be evaluated to establish the support required.

Physical disabilities

• Students with limb and movement disabilities/handicaps and who can help themselves on the campus, will be admitted. This includes such students who have a full-time helper.
• Students will have to be able to manage the wheelchair themselves, when necessary.
• More specialized cases will be referred to other training institutions that specialize in accommodating such learners.

Partially sightedness

The college will accommodate visual impairment (partially sightedness) to the extent that large screen computer equipment can be supplied which the student can use to help himself / herself. No further specialized assistance and support can be offered due to the specialization and cost implications thereof.

Hearing disability

• The college will accommodate hearing impaired students conditionally if they fall into the following grading categories:

0 -15dB	Normal	All speech sounds
16 - 25dB	Minimal loss	Hears vowels clearly,does not hear breath consonants Slight or temporary auditory problems. Problems with observation (perception) of some speech sounds.
26 - 40dB	Slight loss	Hears only some speech sounds (the loud voiced speech sounds. Auditory learning problems.  Slight delay in languagedevelopment. Slight speechproblems. Weak auditory attention.

• Proved record of learning will also be taken into account.

Programmes in inclusive education and training for which students can enrol

• Students with disabilities that fall within the policy framework of the college can enroll for any programme at the college if the requirements of the work place do not disqualify the person.
• A personal interview must be conducted with all students with identified disabilities when enquiring/registering.
• It needs to be established what the student is capable of/can do and possible work opportunities and the requirements of the identified work places must be communicated. This information will be used to counsel the student with regard to aspecific career orientated programmes.
• Recommendations must be obtained from experts in order to supply prospective students with the correct information.

Cooperation with schools which give support to students with specialized learning needs (OLSO)

• The college will where possible enter into partnerships with OLSO schools in order to supply students with education and training opportunities.
• These partnerships will include programmes, facilities and expertise.

Needs with regard to infra structure, equipment and specialized staff

Infra structure

• Buildings and facilities must as far as possible be accessible to students with movement disability.
• The college environment must adapt to the needs of students with disabilities.

Equipment

• The needs of individual students will be identified with regard to equipment of students with the identified disabilities to the extent to which Boland College is bound by the stipulations of this policy.
• Boland college is prepared to supply the following equipment:

Disability Equipment (as identified for specific disabilities)

• Psychological and Attention Deficit Tape recorder
• Learning disabilities Equipment for amanuensis exams
• Visual impairment/Weak eyesight Specialized computer equipment.
• Specialized computer software

Specialized staff

• Boland College will appoint the staff mentioned below where applicable and/or compile a data base of specialized support services for referral of students if necessary:

Disability Specialised Staff (as identified for specific disabilities)

Psychological and Attention Deficit

• Staff for conducting amanuensis exams
• Referral to experts for specialized assistance Learning disabilities a) Staff for conducting amanuensis exams
• Referral to experts for specialized assistance.
• Obtain trained staff in cooperation with schools/OBOS to do testing at beginning of learning period.

Hearing disability

• Lecturers will receive special training in order to support/assist students

Education

Education will be adapted to accommodate the following:

• The class atmosphere (learning environment) and education must contribute to the students with disabilities developing to their full potential with regard to education and training in the specific programme for which they have enrolled.
• Students with learning disabilities must be identified at the beginning of the academic year either through testing or request of results at registration.
• Guidelines for the implementation of assistance according to the stipulations of this policy must be determined.
• Amanuensis assessment and exams will be implemented where the need is identified.
• Innovative methods for practical training should be determined where the student is limited by his/her disability. (Only identified disabilities according to the stipulations of the policy).
• Boland College will enter into partnerships with specialized schools where possible with regard to identified disabilities at the college, in order to extend the "correct" assistance to students.

Student Support

• Students with disabilities are fully entitled to the same support during the learning period as any other student.
• Students with disabilities must where possible, participate like all other students in all activities on the campus.
• Support services will be offered by the student support directorate to students with identified disabilities according to the policy framework of the college.
• Capacity building programmes will be offered to all students and staff so that they will be more sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities.
• Students with special needs are responsible for their own transport to the college and work place if the student does not live on the college premises.
• Relevant information, with regard to executing this policy and which contains the responsibilities of both the college and the student with regard to student support, will be communicated in writing to students with special needs.
• Guidelines for the support of students with disabilities in the Skills Development Directorate will be available.

Management of Inclusive Eudcation

• The management of inclusive education falls under the directorate for student support even though the function is a shared responsibility between education and training and student support (refer 4.6 c).
• Specialized assistance will be obtained on an ad hoc-basis for evaluation of students with regard to determining needs and placing of students at registration, as well as for continuous support (refer 4.1.3 c).
• Partnerships can be entered into with specialized schools and/or other institutions to supply services to Boland College. (refer 4.3).
• A data base for students with disabilities will be kept for students with disabilities by the directorate for student support .
• The management system will be evaluated annually and be adapted should the evaluation prove the necessity thereof.

Remuneration for Services Rendered

Boland College is prepared to accept the financial responsibilities mentioned below:

• Remuneration will be paid by the college to experts who conducted the interviews and did the evaluation during the selection process on an ad hoc-basis for such students.
• Preparation of facilities and college environment with regard to needs as identified within the policy framework of this policy.
• The total cost of an amanuensis exam should the student qualify beforehand.
• Transport costs of physical and visually impaired students should they live on the premises of the college for transport to the college building as well as the work place then compulsory practical work has to be done. This responsibility is only applicable if the practical work is in the same town where the college is situated.

Liability for Risks of Casualties

Students with disabilities are subjected to the policy and procedures with regard to the management of risks and casualties as is applicable to all students of Boland College.