ADA Regulations

The intent of the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA) is to mitigate potential classroom barriers related to an eligible disability so that the student has the opportunity to successfully achieve their academic goals. Students who are determined to meet eligibility definitions for accommodations are still expected to meet all academic and University performance standards and adhere to policies and Student Code of Conduct protocols as are expected of students without disabilities.

ADA Eligibility Definitions

The U.S. Department of Justice defines an individual with an eligible disability to be a person who:

• Has a physical, learning and/or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life functions (such as performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing or learning)
• Has a documented record of a physical, mental, or learning impairment
• Is regarded as having a substantially limiting physical, learning, and/or mental impairment. The documented impairment may be permanent, recurring or temporary (less than six months in duration)
• Is “otherwise qualified” to perform the required course work with the assistance of academic accommodations which are determined on a case-by-case basis

For more information, please visit www.ADA.gov.

Examples of common ADA accommodations include (but are not limited to):

• Speech-to-text software
• Extended time for assignments and/or quizzes/tests
• Alternative format textbooks
• Closed-captioning or transcripts of online videos

The Disability Services Office cannot authorize the following:

• Extended breaks between courses or leaves of absence
• Special funding, discounts or waivers for course fees
• Vocational rehabilitation funding or scholarships
• Additional time to complete a program
• Waivers of the University policies, including admissions, academics or financial

The University will not grant an accommodation if the accommodation alters the academic standards of the program or would result in undue hardship to the University or threaten the health and safety of the student with a disability or other persons.