ADA University Policy

Compliance with Disability and Accessibility Laws

It is essential for faculty, staff, and students to be aware of the federal regulations regarding individuals with disabling conditions in the post-secondary setting. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects people with disabling conditions from discrimination. These conditions include sensory or manual impairment as well as certain medical conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, psychiatric illness, and some orthopedic conditions. Those with learning disabilities and attention disorders are also protected.

Because Section 504 federal regulations were perceived by some as not far-reaching enough to adequately prevent discrimination in employment, public transportation, and access to communication and public accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was created to attempt to end segregation and exclusion of people with disabilities. It does not change the Section 504 regulations. Its provisions will require the same degree of compliance monitoring. While it sometimes deals more with access to "physical" entities, it still has an impact on post-secondary education.

What the Federal Law Mandates:
The law attempts to ensure that disabilities do not prevent access to college admission, specific courses, living arrangements, or employment opportunities as well as mandates an accommodation process that students must initiate once they enroll.

Post-secondary level educational institutions must follow certain guidelines that include:
excluding consideration of a learning disability when admitting a student to a program or course allowing auxiliary aids, such as tape recorders, readers, translators, CART Services, or note-takers when reasonable and appropriate for the level of the disability allowing modification of degree or course requirements without altering the fundamental nature of the program, which is not the same as a waiver of requirements developing alternative evaluation procedures appropriate for the level of disability not counseling students toward more restrictive careers unless strict certification or licensing requirements demand it.

ADA Policy of Union Institute & University:
Union Institute & University is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities to qualified persons with disabilities through a proactive program. All UI&U faculty, staff, administrators, and students are covered by this policy. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires the university to make reasonable accommodations to employees and students with a disability.

An individual with a disability is a person who:
has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working, or learning has a record of such impairment is regarded as having such an impairment. A qualified employee or student with a disability is an individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of a job or educational requirements.

Requests for Accommodations - all UI&U Centers:
Requests for accommodations for students enrolled in an UI&U program should be initiated by completing a Disclosure of Disabilities form. The ADA Coordinator will then be in touch with you about disability documentation. This arrangement is consistent with the confidentiality requirements of the law and with University policy.