The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provide comprehensive protection against discrimination on the basis of disability in institutions of higher education. The ADA was approved by the Congress after thorough deliberation and was signed by the President on July 26, 1990. The ADA, modeled after the Civil Rights Act and Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, represents the most significant and comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities.
The Act prohibits discrimination in these major areas: the private sector, employment, all public services, public accommodations and telecommunications. Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 maintains that no qualified individuals with disabilities be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity in any institution of higher education that is the recipient of federal funding. The University of Rochester complies with these laws by offering equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified people with disabilities. Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is defined as:
Although these laws may seem complex, their purpose is clear. The intent is to eliminate the physical, attitudinal, and programmatic barriers that prohibit individuals with disabilities from successfully working at and participating in post-secondary educational programs. To achieve that objective, the University requires members of its community to:
The University of Rochester is committed to encouraging new ways of thinking and applying the strength of its resources, talents and ingenuity to make the environment inclusive for people with disabilities.
[ Americans with Disabilities Act ] [ Coordination of Disability Resources ] [ Disability Resource Coordinators ] [ Equal Opportunity ]