Students with disabilities who need assistance with daily living activities or nursing care should retain the services of a Personal Care Attendant (PCA).

A PCA provides personal care or assistance in daily living activities, such as dressing, transferring to and from a wheelchair, feeding, personal hygiene and navigating the campus. PCA services may facilitate higher levels of independent access and participation in College of the Mainland programs, services and activities. College of the Mainland does not provide, coordinate or assume financial responsibility for PCA services.

The services of a PCA can play an important role in a student's quality of life. Students who require personal attendant services must make arrangements to secure a PCA and must follow the policies, procedures and guidelines set forth below.

Student's Responsibility

  • Follow all applicable College of the Mainland policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
  • Register with Accessibility Services and provide appropriate verification that supports the need for a PCA. The PCA should obtain a College of the Mainland parking pass through the student’s Web Advisor account.
  • Secure an agency-affiliated or private PCA prior to attending any college-related activity (i.e. enrollment, class attendance). College of the Mainland will not be responsible for providing a PCA on an interim basis.
  • Provide the PCA’s name and contact information to Accessibility Services Coordinator. If you hire an additional or other PCA, provide updated information.
  • Direct the activities of the PCA while at College of the Mainland. The student is solely responsible for ensuring that the PCA is fulfilling his/her responsibilities for the student's care.
  • Develop an alternative plan of action should the regularly assigned PCA not be available to work.

Role of the PCA in the Classroom

The PCA is in attendance solely for mobility issues related to the student. The PCA will follow all instructions related to classroom management example outlined by the instructor (i.e. noise control, seating arrangements, and emergency evacuation).

The PCA will not participate in the learning process or provide verbal or non-verbal feedback on learning material to the student, other classmates or instructor (i.e. raising hand to answer questions, speaking out, commenting to other students, approving or disapproving gestures).

The PCA will not act as an assistant to the instructor or other students (i.e. sharing texts with other students, proctoring for exams, running errands).

On Campus Role of the PCA

  • The PCA assisting a student with a disability on campus is required to follow all applicable COM policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
  • The PCA may assist the student before and after class as needed but must wait outside the classroom unless assistance during class is deemed appropriate or necessary and approved by Accessibility Services Coordinator.
  • PCA must not participate or assist students with exams, quizzes, or tests. Arrangements for exams, quizzes, or tests must be made with the Accessibility Services Coordinator.
  • It is generally not appropriate for the PCA to have contact with or ask questions of faculty, staff or others on behalf of the student with a disability; it is not within the scope of the PCA's responsibilities to be involved in the student's academic life on campus.
  • The PCA must respect the dignity and privacy of the student with a disability and refrain from discussing confidential information about the student with faculty, staff or other students.
  • A PCA must not be a family member. It is recommended that the PCA is trained as a CNA or home health nurse. They can also be acquired through a community organization, such as Texas Workforce Solutions/Commission.
  • If the PCA violates COM policies, rules, regulations, or procedures, Accessibility Services Coordinator may determine that the PCA may no longer assist the student on COM’s campus. If this occurs, it is the student's responsibility to secure the services of another PCA.