Personal Care Attendant

 

UNM makes every reasonable effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. In keeping with this commitment, Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) may be necessary to address the personal needs of a student with a disability so that he/she can participate in the College's activities, services, and programs. In order for the student who requires PCA services to have the same independent experience as all other college students, it is in the student's best interest to hire an impartial PCA who is not a family member or close friend.

 

An otherwise qualified student who requires personal attendant services must make arrangements to provide for his/her own personal attendant service. The College does not assume coordination or financial responsibilities for personal attendant services.

 

It is the student's responsibility to

  • Submit appropriate documentation to the Accessibility Resource Center that supports the necessity of having a PCA.
  • Secure a PCA prior to attending any college-related activity (i.e. placement testing, enrollment, or class attendance). The College will not be responsible for providing a PCA.
  • Direct the activities of the PCA while at the University of New Mexico.
  • Have a back-up plan or alternative plan of action should the regular PCA not be available to work with them on a particular day or in a particular class.
  • Follow the College's policies and abide by the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Pay for all PCA services or secure payment through a third party.

 

The Personal Care Attendant is expected to

  • Follow all applicable college policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
  • Allow the student to take responsibility for his/her own progress in class.
  • Refrain from participating in class discussions.
  • Refrain from engaging in or intervening in conversations between the student and faculty, staff, or other students.
  • Refrain from discussing any confidential information about the student with faculty, staff, or students.
  • Stay outside of the classroom and wait for the student unless given permission by the Accessibility Resource Center or an instructor to do otherwise.
  • PCAs are not allowed to proctor tests.

 

The College is expected to

  • Provide academic or program access accommodations for students with disabilities.
  • Provide reasonable accommodations to address the student’s disability within the classroom and service areas of the college. Accommodations are determined through the Accessibility Resource Center.
  • Provide appropriate accommodations, for example, a note-taker for class or lab setting, a scribe to record responses for quizzes and tests, or adaptive equipment within the classroom or lab setting that will allow the student equal access to the college and its programs.

 

It is not the responsibility of the college to provide services to meet the personal needs of the student. Personal needs are needs that the individual would have regardless of whether they are a student or not. Example of those services may include but are not limited to the following: transferring from a car/van to a wheelchair; transportation to or from the classroom; administrating medication; addressing toilet, feeding or dressing needs.

 

If the student or a PCA fails to abide by the above procedures, the Accessibility Resource Center may make a determination that the PCA will not be allowed to accompany the student on campus. There may also be a disciplinary action taken against the student through the Dean of Students Office for inappropriate behavior as defined in the Student Code of Conduct.