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Disability Services

Services Offered

Accommodations are arrangements that give students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, Minnesota West. Accommodations are adjustments to how things are usually done. The purpose of effective accommodations is to increase a student’s chance for success.

Reasonable accommodations that the college can provide in order to allow a qualified student with a disability to effectively participate in the educational process may include:

  1. Limited alterations to a classroom environment or task such as extended test time, private room testing, adaptive equipment, etc.
  2. Materials in alternative formats such as large print, e-books, read-out-loud features, captioning, etc.
  3. Removal of physical barriers.
  4. Provision of auxiliary aids and services such as tutors, proctoring services, interpreters, etc.
  5. Exceptions to policies, practices or procedures which could include priority registration or accessing assignments early.
  6. And more.

Modifications, on the other hand, are direct changes to the material or tasks that are taught and/or expected from all students. Modifications that would change the essence of a program (such as allowing a student in an auto mechanics program to take a written test on repairing an engine instead of actually repairing an engine), simplifying tests (like having 2-multiple choice answers instead of 4), or lessening the requirements of an assignment (such as only having to write a 500-word essay instead of 1000-words) are not allowed at the college-level. Students with disabilities must meet the same academic requirements as other Minnesota West Community and Technical College students.

The College is also not responsible to provide accommodations such as personal devices (wheelchairs, glasses, or hearing aids) or services that are unduly burdensome, administratively or financially.


To receive a reasonable accommodation, you must complete a Request for Accessibility and Disability Servicesand provide documentation of the disability. Examples of accepted documentation can be found under Request for Services.

Accommodations are arranged each term and students need to communicate with the Accessibility and Disability Services Coordinator to arrange for academic accommodations.