Mission of Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair, Inc. (“MSEF”)
MSEF is committed to increasing awareness of, exposure to, and participation in inquiry-based learning through the development of science and engineering projects by middle school and high school students, and to showcase and celebrate that learning.
I. Policy Statement
MSEF prohibits unlawful discrimination against qualified students with disabilities and encourages their full participation in the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (“Science Fair”). MSEF is dedicated to actively providing support for qualified students with disabilities at all MSEF educational programs, services and activities.
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
II. Physical Accessibility
All MSEF buildings and facilities are to be accessible to the extent that a barrier removal is readably achievable. In situations where a particular Science Fair is scheduled in a location that is inaccessible to a qualified student with a disability, the event or service will relocate to an accessible location so as not to deny access unless relocation is not practicable or causes an undue burden. The qualified student is responsible for making accessibility needs known to MSEF far enough in advance to allow reasonable time for Science Fair relocation. Requests for accessible space should be made to the MSEF High School Committee.
III. MSEF Science Fairs
Any Science Fair available to the general student population will also be made available to qualified students with disabilities if practicable unless the availability of the Science Fair causes an undue burden or will fundamentally alter the nature of the Science Fair. An accommodation will be provided so long as the request does not cause an undue burden and does not pose a direct threat, and is made by the qualified student (or, in the case of a minor, by the qualified student’s parent or legal guardian) in sufficient time for the accommodation(s) to be arranged within the given time constraints. A request will ordinarily be considered timely if received a minimum of (one week) prior to the scheduled Science Fair. If necessary, MSEF High School Committee will make the determination as to whether a request is timely and does not cause an undue burden. If the request is found not to be readily achievable, the decision can be appealed to (MSEF Board).
a. Admission to Science Fair
Qualified students with disabilities may not, unlawfully on the basis of a disability, be denied admission or be subjected to unlawful discrimination in admission activities. Limitations may not be placed on the number or proportion of qualified students with disabilities who may be admitted to the Science Fair. Admission requirements that can be demonstrated as essential to the integrity of the Science Fair, or to the MSEF mission, will not be considered unlawfully discriminatory within the confines of the policy.
b. Post Admission Inquiry
After a student has received notification of admittance to the Science Fair, MSEF may inquire into the existence of a disability. Upon the student’s voluntary disclosure of a disability, additional information will be requested as to the qualified student’s need for specific accommodations. All information will be kept confidential on a need to know basis.
c. Alternative Forms of Admission Criteria
Alternative forms of admission criteria are an option that MSEF may consider to assure reasonable admission opportunity in individual cases where the disability has had a direct disproportionately adverse effect on the applicant’s ability to meet the qualifications for the Science Fair.
d. Auxiliary Aids
MSEF will provide qualified students with disabilities access to the appropriate auxiliary aids necessary to allow reasonable participation in the MSEF Science Fair unless it imposes an undue burden or fundamentally alters the nature of the services or activity in a way that interferes with the integrity of the Science Fair. Auxiliary aides include services, adaptive equipment, or other educational assistance that enables the qualified student with a disability to participate in or benefit from the Science Fair. Auxiliary aids may include, but are not limited to, readers, sign language interpreters, and special equipment. MSEF does not provide personal attendant care.
IV. Responsibility for Identification and Request for Disability Services
It is the responsibility of the qualified student with a disability to voluntarily and confidentially disclose information regarding the nature and extent of the disability to the MSEF High School Committee when requesting accommodations. The MSEF High School Committee will assist the qualified student in determining which personnel should be aware of the disability. The MSEF High School Committee will assist the qualified student in identifying potential accommodations based upon the qualified student’s needs, preferences, and available resources. Although every effort will be made to provide qualified students with requested accommodations, MSEF does not guarantee that a qualified student will automatically receive his or her first choice accommodations and reserves the right to make the final decision on which accommodations will be provided.
It is the responsibility of the qualified student with a disability to provide appropriate medical documentation of the nature and extent of the disability and the need for specific services or accommodations to the MSEF High School Committee. It is the responsibility of the qualified student to cover any costs associated with acquiring the appropriate medical documentation. If the MSEF Operation Committee has reason to doubt the validity of the medical documentation, they may require, at their own expense, the reexamination of the qualified student and/or his/her documentation by a service provider designated or approved by MSEF. All documentation related to a qualified student’s disability will be maintained in separate locked files and treated as confidential medical records by MSEF. MSEF does not assume responsibility for providing special accommodations and services to qualified students with disabilities who have not identified themselves as having a disability and who have not made their needs known.
V. Process for Identification and Complaint
Qualified students with disabilities are expected to follow standard procedures for requesting and acquiring services relative to a disability. Standard procedures will include:
Please submit all qualified student accommodation requests to:
Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair Attention: MSEF President
955 Massachusetts Avenue – #350 Cambridge, MA 02139