Facilities and Services for Students with Disabilities:
Stellar College does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in admission or in access to our programs, services, and activities by our obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
Admission Policies for Candidates with Disabilities:
At Stellar College, we consider each admission candidate reasonably, and decisions are made based on academic criteria and/or standards of vocational entry qualifications, which do not consider an individual’s disability as a barrier to entry into any of our programs. To meet the essential elements of the program, service, or activity being offered, the candidate’s qualifications contribute to making the final decision. Candidates with disabilities (as defined below in definitions) desiring to enroll in any program, service, or activity offered by Stellar College must be able to meet the minimal standards and requirements of the particular program, service, or activity to which admission is sought.
Definitions of Disabilities as Per ADA Act:
A person with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of major life activities, including, but not limited to, caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, learning, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, and working or has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Although disclosure of a disability may not be necessary or appropriate for some persons, those who seek academic adjustments/auxiliary aids and services must follow the procedure outlined below.
Procedure for Requesting Academic Adjustments/ Auxiliary Aids and Services:
Candidates seeking services as per the ADA Act must approach the appropriate department within the office of the registrar at Stellar College for immediate and capable assistance. Our courteous staff will make all necessary efforts to hear, understand, and assess any required support and help needed. These efforts include discussing the range of severity of the candidate’s disability, its impact and functional limitations in the academic settings, and the necessary academic adjustments/auxiliary aids and services required. The process involves a series of steps, including an initial consultation, an assessment of needs, and developing a personalized plan for academic support.
Proof of Medical Diagnostic Documentation May Be Required:
All admission candidates must provide acceptable medical diagnostic documentation supporting the request for auxiliary aids and services. These diagnostics should include reports from a qualified healthcare professional explaining the disability, the impact of these disabilities on the functional limitations in an academic setting, and suggested auxiliary aids and services that may be necessary by the ADA Act. These diagnostic documents should be current (e.g., within 3 years of the candidate’s applications for enrollment at Stellar College). It is important to note that Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504Plans generally do not contain sufficient information about the individual needs and the scope of service required. In all cases, Stellar College may require additional information while assessing each particular case.
Review of Applications for Candidates with Disabilities:
All applications with requests for considerations for disabilities, along with the appropriate medical history of candidates, specific range of disabilities, and the necessity of special arrangements, coupled with the candidate’s academic qualifications and qualifications necessary for admission in the particular program being offered at Stellar College, will be reviewed by our admission team, on a case-by-case basis. This evaluation includes the review of medical or other diagnostic documentation and the determination of the reasonableness of special requests made. The diagnostic documentation provided by the candidates will be kept confidential at Stellar College and may be released to a third party only with the candidate’s written permission or as required by the laws of the state of Illinois. However, general information pertaining to the candidate’s disability and need for auxiliary aids and services may be shared with other members of staff and faculty or third parties on need-to-know (e.g., clinical sites, externship sites, etc.) The review process is thorough and fair, ensuring each candidate’s unique circumstances are considered.
It takes our team two to three weeks to review the applications after receiving a duly completed admissions form and a complete set of additional documents (listed above) supporting the candidate’s special consideration requests. Candidates seeking special consideration for admission at Stellar College are advised to apply ahead of time and allow for the additional time necessary for evaluating each such application.
Stellar College programs are conducted in various settings, and each requires a uniquely tailored set of practical training and internships on and off campus. Facilities and locations outside of the Stellar College campus are primarily outside of the domain of our direct influence. On behalf of candidates with disabilities, we may request special considerations for these off-campus facilities, but we do not guarantee any accommodation of special requests on behalf of third-party facilities.
Grievance & Appeal Procedures:
If an admissions candidate or existing student, at any point in time, feels that they have not been accorded due consideration or unfairly treated due to disabilities, they can contact their campus Disability Services Coordinator. The process is designed to be fair and begins with an informal discussion between the student and the faculty or staff member while also reaching out to the Disability Services Coordinator. If the issue remains unresolved, students can file a formal written complaint detailing the irregularities along with evidence and witnesses if possible. The Disability Services Coordinator will review the appeal, conduct an investigation and respond in writing within a reasonable time. Students can appeal the decision within two weeks, if they believe it was arbitrary or can provide additional supporting evidence. If a violation is established, Stellar College will offer a remedy. Alternatively, the student will be notified of other options, including contacting the US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.
We remain ethically, morally, and in accordance with the governing laws of the State of Illinois, the State Board of Higher Education, and the ADA Act, committed to making every effort possible to accommodate special people and facilitate their learning a pleasurable experience at Stellar College. This commitment extends to providing necessary academic adjustments/auxiliary aids and services, advocating for reasonable accommodations in off-campus facilities, and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all our students.
Contact deatils
AK Buss │Registrar, Disability Services Coordinator,
Title IX Coordinator
Stellar Career College 205
W. Randolph Street, Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60606
P: (312) 687-3000
F: (312) 374-6223
E: akbuss@stellarcollege.edu