Physical accessibility at colleges and universities is a perennial and challenging issue. Some campuses have made efforts to address these challenges through a variety of advocacy initiatives, while others have used disability simulations to bring greater awareness of physical accessibility to campus communities. An alternative approach to…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one of America's most important laws, both in general and with respect to individuals with disabilities. Originally passed in 1990, the ADA recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. While ADA offers protection against discrimination for individuals with disabilities in a broad sense, it also offers…

This brief article addresses the question of whether the Individuals with Disabilities Act or Section 504 and its sister statute, the Americans with Disabilities Act, provides for the liability of special educators and other public school personnel for money damages. The analysis synthesizes the applicable case law under these federal disability…

These administrative rules of the Illinois Community College Board are divided into eight sections. Under Title 23: Education and Cultural Resources, Subtitle A: Education, Chapter VII: Illinois Community College Board: (1) Part 1501 Administration of the Illinois Public Community College Act; (2) Part 1502 Joint Rules of the Board of Higher…

In 2013, a focus group of administrators, faculty, staff, and students at Skidmore College was held to discuss cross-campus changes implemented following the Assessment of Campus Climate to Enhance Student Success survey and an external disability services audit, which were conducted during the 2008-2009 academic year. The focus group gave these…

This issue of "Policy and Practice" offers counselors and student affairs professionals strategies to effectively support the mental health needs of today's students. Students require transparent, connected, and flexible systems that meet the full range of mental health needs. To achieve such systems, institutions must have a robust…

Institutions of higher education, and more specifically residence halls within colleges and universities, pride themselves in offering and embracing a diverse community of students. A growing number of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are attending college and choosing to live on campus. While many are able to do so successfully, some…

The purpose of the National AEM Center's Quality Indicators with Critical Components for Higher Education is to assist institutes of higher education, both at the system and campus level, with planning, implementing, and evaluating dynamic, coordinated systems for providing accessible materials and technologies for all students who need them. The…

"Beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act" is a primer and quick reference guide for higher education professionals who work with students with disabilities, both apparent and hidden. Written for administrators, faculty, and staff, the book provides transferable information that is applicable to any campus. Since the Americans with…

A contract is about commitment and responsibility. It is about the commitment that two or more parties make and the responsibility to deliver on those commitments. When school developers and authorizers turn a charter application into a contract, the relationship transforms: it shifts from aspiration to expectation and from theory to practice. The…

Strong mental and behavioral health supports on campus can improve the academic performance of students and increase their resilience and ability to handle stress, with reduced suicide rates, substance abuse, and eating disorders, but this study reveals that students with mental health disabilities continue to face barriers to accessing counseling…

Although federal U.S. regulations require schools to provide equal access to educational opportunities for all students, many technologies used in K-12 schools present accessibility barriers for students with disabilities. Interviews assessed knowledge of educational department staff, teachers, and parents of children in K-12 schools in the…

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act bars discrimination against handicapped people who are otherwise qualified for a position. To comply, principals should be prepared to identify each job's essential functions, prepare a written description for each job, provide reasonable accommodations, establish job-related qualification standards, and…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 builds on earlier federal laws and clarifies the obligations school boards have toward employees with disabilities. One useful tool for figuring out what reasonable accommodations are necessary is the Work Experience Survey. A resource list identifies additional sources of information on employer…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be phased in over a two-year period beginning July 26, 1992. Title I of ADA prohibits discrimination in employment. Some questions relevant to education and employment are addressed. (14 references) (MLF)