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Purpose

The University of North Georgia is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to the principle of individual rights and responsibilities. To that end, the policies and procedures of UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA reasonably insure that a person with a disability is not, on the basis of that disability, denied full and equal access to, and the enjoyment of, academic programs and co-curricular activities, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in such programs and activities.

The policies for access by individuals with disabilities at UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA are designed to insure full compliance with all pertinent federal and state legislation, specifically to include Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and subsequent amendments.

Mission

Through leadership, training, and collaboration, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) facilitates equal access for students with disabilities to all University of North Georgia opportunities. SAS coordinates the provision of reasonable accommodations and individual services in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. SAS is committed to fostering student learning and development, to include employing leadership and self-advocacy skills at the University of North Georgia and throughout the community.

Policy of Nondiscrimination

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives individuals with disabilities civil rights protection that is similar to that provided to all individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, creed, national origin, age, genetics or protected veteran status. A public institution may not discriminate on the basis of disability. It must insure that the programs and activities it offers are accessible to students with disabilities.

In addition, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. Section 504 forbids denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. Qualified individuals with disabilities are persons who meet essential eligibility requirements, with or without accommodations.

Definitions

Auxiliary Aids

Services or devices that enable persons with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills to have an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or activities conducted by the agency. For example, auxiliary aids useful for persons with impaired vision include readers, materials in Braille, audio recordings, and other similar services and devices. Auxiliary aids useful for persons with impaired hearing include video relay services, interpreters, note takers, written materials, and other similar services and devices.

Disability

An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.

Equal Access

Equal opportunity of a qualified person with a disability to participate in or benefit from educational programs and services.

Major Life Activities

Activities that an average person can perform with little or no difficulty. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.

Otherwise Qualified

Students must be able to meet the technical and academic qualifications for entry into the school, program or activity in order to be considered otherwise qualified. Individuals with disabilities are qualified if they meet the same eligibility requirements and standards of behavior and performance demanded of other students, with or without:

• Reasonable modifications to rules, policies or practices;
• Auxiliary (communications) aids or services; or
• Removal of architectural, communications or transportation barriers.

Reasonable Accommodations

Any reasonable change in the instructional setting or policies and practices that enables an individual a disability to enjoy equal opportunities.