Disability Law

The two primary laws which are related to disability in higher education are Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.  Both of these laws protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.

The ADA protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and guarantees protection of equal access to programs and services.

Section 504 provides specific information for post-secondary institutions and requires that reasonable accommodations be provided so that students with disabilities have an equal access to education. 

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment which allows a qualified student with a disability to benefit from all educational opportunities, programs and activities.  Reasonable accommodations do not include alterations to academic programs, providing equipment or services of a personal nature, or any adjustment that would impose an undue burden on the institution.