AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
A qualified student with a disability is an individual who, with reasonable accommodation, meets the essential eligibility requirements for participation in opportunities and services. Although the disabilities regulations do not specifically impose a limitation of reasonableness on the scope of the duty to accommodate in educational programs/services, that concept has generally been adopted into case law under the disabilities regulations. The basic principles of accommodation obligates educational institutions to provide assistance to those only if the institution is made aware of the disability; requires that the accommodation be effective to enable the student to attain an acceptable level of performance or comparable benefits and privileges of education; limits accommodation obligation to barriers related to a disability; and supports efforts on the part of the institution to provide effective, not necessarily the best available accommodation to meet the purpose.

An individual with disabilities is defined as a person who:

• Has a physical and/or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;

• Has a record of such an impairment (includes those who have recovered in whole or in part from a disability, such as cancer or mental illness); or

• Is regarded as having such an impairment (if the educational institution or its agents treat the impairment as imposing greater limitations on the individual’s activities than it does in fact).

The College will make accommodations for the known disability of a qualified applicant or student if it does not impose an “undue hardship” on the operation of the College, and only after the student specifically requests such accommodations in writing. Undue hardship is defined as an action requiring significant difficulty or expense when considered in light of factors such as the institution’s size, financial resources and the nature and structure of its operation.

Marygrove College is not required to lower quality, requirements or performance standards to make accommodation, nor is the College obligated to provide personal use items such as glasses or hearing aids. Students engaging in illegal use of drugs are not covered by the ADA when the College acts or renders sanctions on the basis of such use. Drug testing is not subject to ADA’s restrictions on medical examinations. The College will hold those who imbibe and abuse illegal drugs and alcohol to the same performance standards as other students (See policy on Alcohol and Drug Use and Abuse).

Inquiries regarding compliance with the disabilities regulations may be directed to the Vice President for Student Affairs (504 officer) in room 123, Madame Cadillac Building. You may also obtain an abbreviated yet comprehensive copy of the disabilities regulations from the Student Affairs Office, MC 128. Students who are aware of a disability that may impede their progress at Marygrove should register with the Office of Student Support Services which is located in room 018, Madame Cadillac Building.

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