IT’S ALL ABOUT ACCESS

People with disabilities are protected from discrimination based on their disabilities, in both the public and private sectors. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Amendments Act guarantee that a person with a disability cannot be denied access to facilities, services, activities or opportunities solely because they have a disability.

Section 504 Of The Rehabilitation Act Of 1973

Section 504 states that: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance . . . “ (29 U.S.C., Section 794)

The Americans With Disabilities Act Of 1990 (ADA)

The ADA is the civil rights guarantee that upholds and extends the standards for compliance in Section 504 to the private sector. With the passage of ADA, not only entities receiving federal money, but also private schools and businesses must provide equal access to education, goods and services to people with disabilities.

IT’S ALL ABOUT EQUAL ACCESS

The facilities, programs and activities of a postsecondary institution must be accessible. Students with disabilities must be offered the same opportunity as students without disabilities to participate in and benefit from all aspects of campus life. In addition, appropriate equal access is respectful and should be accomplished in the most inclusive way possible.

Section 504 and the ADAA guarantee equal access – NO MORE and NO LESS