It is the policy of Metro Technology Centers not to discriminate on the basis of disability in its educational programs or activities.
Metro Technology Centers aligns special education services’ policy with the guidelines set forth by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the applicable sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as they pertain to post-secondary educational institutions. These are overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Career Tech and The Office of Civil Rights of the federal Department of Education. These policies and guidelines differ from those guiding special education services for primary and secondary local education agencies and affiliate schools.
Secondary students coming from a sending school or local education agency (LEA) which issues primary Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans will have their information provided by their sending school or LEA. If the documentation needs amending for the purposes of supporting a Metro Technology Centers’ program of study, a meeting between the student’s sending school / LEA and Metro Technology Centers will be established.
In partnership with our sending, secondary schools, Metro Tech aids in formulating specific accommodations and services for a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 Plan under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Metro Tech’s participation in these meetings is required in order to ensure the appropriate accommodations and services are in place for a student’s particular program in the postsecondary environment.
Appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services, that are necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in their program may be provided.
Accommodations, modifications, and the provision of aids or services, that would result in a fundamental alteration of a student’s program or imposes an undue burden, are not required to be implemented by Metro Technology Centers.
Accommodations or services for adult students may not be provided until accurate, official documentation of a qualifying and/or legitimate disability is provided to Special Education Services for review and approval.
Accommodations and services for Metro Technology Center programs will be decided upon by a team put together by Special Education Services that includes the student, program representative, counselor, sending school / LEA (if applicable), Parent/Guardian (if applicable).
Any student seeking enrollment in a Metro Technology Centers’ class, full-time or short-term, can request accommodations if they meet the definition of a “qualified student with a disability” under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Students must provide documentation of their disability such as: IEP/504 documents, doctor statements, medical records, medical evaluations, Voc-Rehab assessments, etc.
Students transferring from high school students to adult students must reapply to Special Education Services for accommodations and services and provide any required documentation. However, if their information is already on file with Special Education Services, they will be asked if they wish to continue receiving services as an adult student.
Disability and special education records are kept confidential. Accommodations and service’s information are provided by Special Education Services on a need-to-know basis only.
Disabilities include, but are not limited to: “invisible disabilities” (i.e. learning disabilities, chemical sensitivity, mental and behavioral health disorders), physical disabilities, medical conditions, or temporary conditions resulting from accident, injury, or illness.
THC use, whether recreational, habitual, or medicinal, is not protected under ADA or Section 504. This is due to current federal law.