Rights and Resources for Montana Students and Employees
Whether you’re in school or the workforce, there are hearing service programs available to you. Below we highlight help for both students and employees.
Students
If you’re a recent high school graduate or current college student, check out the hearing services programs available at our local colleges. Our public educational institutions offer services to students who have hearing loss, wear hearing aids, and who are deaf or need communication assistance. Check out the links below to learn about some of the services offered by some of our regional institutions.
University Of Montana–Missoula
UM’s program is called Disability Services for Students. It ensures that programs are accessible and usable by students with disabilities. They recognize and honor that a cookie-cutter approach does not work for all students and should be modified to help each student succeed to their full potential. Their staff works with you individually to create modifications for your specific situation.
Montana State University
Montana State University
MSU is devoted to the principles of equal educational opportunity and access for students with disabilities. Their Disability, Re-Entry, and Veteran Services office sustains the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its amendments of 2008. They understand and honor the purpose of those laws in creating an environment for all students that’s nondiscriminatory across their programs, services, and activities.
Salish Kootenai College
Salish Kootenai College is committed to providing educational opportunities and reasonable accommodations for eligible individuals with identified disabilities. The college complies with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Other Resources
- BestColleges.com: offers excellent information and resources on this topic
- The US Department of Education: provides valuable tools, resources, and has a good FAQs section.
Don’t Forget to Get Your Records
Whether your next opportunity is close to home or across the country, call us and ask for a copy of your hearing tests. It’s incredibly important to keep your copies for life. This will help you and your future audiologists make the best decisions about your hearing health and communication needs.
Employees
Having a workplace that allows you to do and be your best is your right. Follow these sites to find out what you can do to help yourself or your place of employment make accommodations for your hearing or communication needs.
Montana Medicaid
If you are enrolled in their program and under the age of 20, you may qualify for a hearing assessment and hearing aid assessment. We would love to help you review your options and talk about preparations for school or future employment.
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry
The state has a website that highlights employment rights, who is covered, defines reasonable accommodation, and perceived disability. You’ll find easy-to-digest information on the Montana Human Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), as well as contact info.
Montana.gov
This site provides an excellent summary of reasonable workplace accommodations and your rights.