Accommodations

Under Civil Rights laws, the University is required to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and for religious reasons.  While there are some similarities between the two different forms of accommodations, there are also some important distinctions.  The manner in which the University responds to such requests is not synonymous for both types of accommodations.  While any one individual may request accommodation in both areas, they do, in fact, pertain to two separate and distinct protected groups: disability and religion, neither of which can be used as a basis for discrimination. 

Faculty should be aware of their responsibilities regarding student accommodations. Please read and refer to these documents:

1. Ready Reference on ADAA
2. Faculty Guidelines

Americans with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 applies to employers with fifteen or more employees.  This Act protects applicants and employees with qualified disabilities from discrimination in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, job training, fringe benefits, classification, referral and other aspects of employment on the basis of disability.  Also required by law are reasonable accommodations for:

• students with disabilities
• qualified applicants and staff/faculty  with disabilities
• accessibility for persons with disabilities

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Persons with Disabilities

Some disabilities are physical. Some disabilities are visible. Many disabilities are neither visible nor physical. Ignorance and fear often characterize the response to persons with disabilities.