Transcript Applicable Laws

Disability Services
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Training for staff and faculty about
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disability law
requirements for eligibility determination
accommodation procedures
Applicable Laws
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Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
both require institutions of higher education to
provide equal access to educational opportunities to
(otherwise) qualified "persons with disabilities."
Also protect students from discrimination on the
basis of a disability.
Who has a disability?
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According to the Americans with Disabilities
Act and Section 504 of the Educational
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 an individual with a
disability is defined as one who has "a physical or
mental impairment that substantially limits one or more
major life functions."
Why do we provide
accommodations?
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The purpose of accommodations is to assure
EQUAL ACCESS to the opportunity to
participate fully in higher education and to reap the
same benefits as do others participating in the
activity.
What does this mean?
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It is NOT to assure academic success.
It is provided because, without it, the student
would not have access to all the same information
other students have as they prepare for a test or
otherwise demonstrate their understanding of new
learning.
AiP Online Policy (1)
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The Art Institute of Pittsburgh/The Art Institute
of Pittsburgh - Online Division are committed
to providing qualified students with disabilities
an equal opportunity to take full advantage of
the Institute’s services, programs, activities and
facilities in compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
AiP Online Policy(2)
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AiP Online Division are committed to providing reasonable
accommodations to qualified students with disabilities as
long as those accommodations do not impose an undue
burden on the school and/or fundamentally alter the nature
of the service, program or activity provided.
The purpose of this policy is to identify the rights and
responsibilities of students under the Institute’s policy and
to establish clear guidelines for seeking and receiving
reasonable accommodations.
AiP Online Policy(3)
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To receive reasonable accommodations, students
are responsible for requesting accommodations
and for providing current documentation of the
nature of their disability and the functional
limitations resulting from the disability in a timely
manner.
Obligations of AiP Online
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make information available to all students
work with students on a case-by-case basis
protect student confidentiality
provide reasonable accommodations that maintain the
academic integrity of the programs
not make pre-admission inquiry, except as provided by law
require specific documentation
Obligations of Students
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provide timely notice and documentation of nature and
extent of disability
provide additional documentation as required
cooperate with Disability Services in developing appropriate
reasonable accommodations
promptly notify Disability Services of any problems
encountered in receiving agreed-upon accommodations
How are accommodations
determined?
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Accommodations and/or auxiliary aids are
determined by Disability Services based on
assessment of submitted documentation for its
appropriateness and completeness under Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA),
and documentation policy.
Documentation Requirements
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The required documentation is dependent on the
type of disability, however all documentation must
be:
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prepared by a professional qualified to diagnose the disability
be comprehensive
be current (within the last 3-5 years, at an adult level)
present clear and specific evidence of the disability and the
impact on education
provide sufficient data to support the particular
accommodations requested
Accommodation Letter
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This letter verifies the disability status of the
student as determined by federal and state laws.
It provides faculty with information regarding
reasonable accommodations for which the student
is eligible and which must be provided for the
student in a collaborative effort between the Online
Student Affairs, faculty and supportive services.
Accommodation Letter
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Students are issued this letter and are responsible for
presenting it to each of their faculty.
The letter provides the student with an avenue to begin
discussions of their disability and related academic
adjustments with the faculty member.
Until the letter is presented to the faculty, academic
adjustments cannot be provided
Does everyone get a letter?
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No, only those students who meet very specific
criteria.
We are obligated by law to provide
accommodations when a) a student identifies that
s/he has a disability, b) the student requests
accommodations and c) the student meets eligibility
criteria.
Reasonable Accommodation
Examples
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Extended time for completing tests/assignments
Modification of tests (multiple choice, oral, etc.) or
assignments
Transcripts of audio-only course content
Auxiliary Aids and Services
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textbooks and other educational materials in
alternative media
qualified sign language interpreters
access to adaptive equipment
Other Related Issues
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Disruptive or other misbehavior (even if caused by
the disability) is addressed by the regular discipline
processes
School has to offer reasonable, not the best,
academic adjustments
All students should receive information about
available services, policies, and procedures
Questions
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Sarah White
[email protected]
Toll free: 877-872-8869, ext. 8884
Direct: 412-395-8884