A student with a disability is a person who:
- Has a physical, health, learning, or mental health impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, sitting, standing, lifting, reaching, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working;
- has a record of such an impairment; or
- is regarded as having such impairment.
Individuals with disabilities may include persons who have:
- mobility impairments
- sensory or speech impairments
- cosmetic disfigurements
- mental illness
- mental retardation
- learning disabilities
- neurological impairments
- psychological impairments
- physical impairments
- chronic health impairments
In order to be eligible for support services, age-appropriate documentation of the disability is required and must be provided by a certified by a licensed professional, i.e., doctor, psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, etc.
- With respect to educational opportunities,a person with a disability is one who meets the academic and technical standards required for admission or participation in an educational program or activity.
- With respect to educational services, a person with a disability can be of any age during which other non-disabled individuals are provided such services.
- With respect to other services, a person is “otherwise qualified” if they are qualified for receipt of educational opportunities, public adult education, or other services because s/he meets the academic/technical standards, essential eligibility requirements, and the fundamental selection criteria.
In addition, the ADA requires the College conduct a self-evaluation for compliance and review the compliance plan for Section 504. The plan must include a review of access to facilities, as well as programs. Changes that are “readily achievable” must be accomplished if they can be completed without “undue hardship.” The ADA self-evaluation should reflect ongoing evaluation and changes in policies and procedures since the initial evaluation.