Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 is designed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. It provides that no qualified person with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that receives or benefits from federal financial assistance. Persons with disabilities means any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment.

Admissions and Recruitment

Qualified persons with disabilities may not, on the basis of disability, be denied admission or be subjected to discrimination in admission or recruitment. Institutions may not make pre-admission inquiry as to whether an applicant for admission is a person with a disability. After admission, the university may make inquiries on a confidential basis as to disabilities that may require accommodation.

Academic Adjustments

Universities shall make such modifications to academic requirements as are necessary to ensure that such requirements do not discriminate or have the effect of discriminating, on the basis of disability, against a qualified applicant or student with a disability. Academic requirements that the recipient cannot demonstrate that are essential to the program of instruction being pursued by such student or to any directly related licensing requirement will not be regarded as discriminatory within the meaning of this section. Modifications may include changes in the length of time permitted for the completion of degree requirements and adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted. Universities shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure that no student with a disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in or otherwise subjected to discrimination under the education program or activity operated by the school because of the absence of educational auxiliary aids for students with impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills.

All questions relating to students with disabilities are to be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students (ADAPTS Office), 221 Smithgall Student Services Building, 404-894-2564, 404-894-1664 (TDD).