The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the start of a series of acts that prevent discrimination based on race, color, creed , age, sex or disability. In 1973, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act stated that "no qualified individual with disabilities shall, on the basis of their disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subject to discrimination under any post-secondary program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." This act also clarified the definition of a person with a disability as one who has a physical or mental impairment which "substantially limits one or more of such personÕs major life activities; has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment." Education is a major life activity.

In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed by Congress. Title II of this act assures equal educational opportunity for post-secondary students with disabilities. This includes students in vocational programs, community colleges, 4-year colleges and university programs from undergraduate through those in advanced degree programs and professional schools, such as medicine and law.

• The Law
• Application to Higher Education
• Cases
• New Developments