The University of New Haven is committed to providing equal access to its programs, facilities, services, and employment opportunities. In keeping with this commitment, we recognize that Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) may be necessary to address the personal needs of a student with a disability in order for that student to fully participate in the university’s offerings. Students who require personal care attendant services who wish to have the same independent experience as all other college students are encouraged to hire an impartial PCA who is not a family member or close friend. The following is the university’s policy regarding Personal Care Attendant services.

Personal Care Attendant Policy:

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

Student and Care Attendant Responsibilities 

        It is the student’s responsibility to:

• Secure a PCA prior to attending any college-related activity i.e. orientation, placement testing, registration, and class attendance. (The university will not be responsible for providing a PCA on an interim basis.)
• Sign the Personal Care Attendant Agreement & ID Request form each semester.
• Ensure that each PCA registers with the Accessibility Resources Center and signs the Personal Care Attendant Agreement each semester.
• Ensure that if PCA personnel changes occur during the semester, he/she and the new PCA registers with the Campus Access Services office and signs a new PCA Agreement form.
• Ensure that all PCA ID cards and/or residence hall keys are immediately returned to the Accessibility Resources Center in the event a personal care attendant’s employment with the student is terminated.
• Direct the activities of the personal care attendant while at the university.
• Have a back up plan or alternative plan of action should the regular PCA not be available to work with the student on a particular day or in a particular class.
• Follow the university’s policies and abide by the University of New Haven Student Handbook.

 The PCA is expected to:

• Adhere to the University of New Haven’s Code of Conduct as well as any and all other university policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Conduct him/herself in a courteous and professional manner while on campus.
• Not discuss any confidential information about the student with faculty, staff, or students.
• Allow the student to take responsibility for his/her own progress and/or behavior. The PCA is expected to: 
  • Refrain from contact with or asking questions of faculty, staff, or others on behalf of the student.
  • Refrain from intervening in conversations between the student and faculty, staff or other students.
  • Refrain from working on or completing any of the student’s academic assignments.
  • Complete and sign the Personal Care Agreement and ID Request form each semester/trimester and adhere to the requirements within.

In order for the personal care attendant to obtain the required university ID, the student should download a copy of the Personal Care Agreement & ID Request Form and make an appointment with the Director of the Accessibility Resources Center to have the form validated.  Both the student and PCA should attend this appointment.

Download a copy of the Personal Care Agreement & ID Request form here: [ Word Doc Format | PDF Format ]

Background Investigation Requirement:

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that their PCA(s) complete the Background Check Notification Form from SCC and return it in a reasonable amount of time before the PCA is needed to begin working.  Background checks can take a minimum of two weeks to complete.

The University of New Haven requires a background check for all individuals working at the University.  Since PCAs will have access to the University classrooms, residence halls, and other buildings on campus, they will also need to have a background check completed by Human Resources prior to the first date of work at the University.  PCAs will not be permitted card access to residential buildings before a background check has been completed.

Any PCA who fails to abide by the above policies and procedures and/or those outlined on the Personal Care Attendant Agreement and ID Request form may be subject to removal from the residence halls, expulsion from the university campus, loss of all privileges and/or any other action the university considers appropriate in the event the university determines that the PCA has acted in a manner inconsistent with university policies and/or these procedures.