Accessibility Federal Laws and Legal Precedents

Two primary federal acts affect the provision of services for students with disabilities at colleges and universities. These are, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990. Federal acts, continuing legal opinions and interpretations of the law may establish precedent which affect the provision of services at the university level. Disability services providers use these laws, statutes, precedents, along with the findings of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to develop services and guide decision making.

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provide that individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. This includes individuals with learning, physical, sensory, psychological, medical and temporary disabilities. Harvey Mudd College is committed to providing equal learning and working opportunities for students with disabilities. With the collaboration and support of the entire campus community, The Office of Disability Resources facilitates full access to courses, facilities, programs, and services through reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, consultation, and technical assistance.

Individuals, who believe that they were subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability by Harvey Mudd College, are encouraged to use the grievance procedure to resolve their concerns. Individuals may, however, wish to file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 50 United Nations Plaza, Mail Box 1200, Room 1545, San Francisco, CA 94102, 415.486.5555 or email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov.