Definitions

An “individual with a disability” is someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more “major life activities.” Physical or mental impairments include, for example, specific learning disabilities, emotional or mental illness, blindness and visual impairments, deafness and hearing impairments, mobility impairments, and some chronic illnesses.

“Major life activity” means functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and learning. A person is considered to be an individual with a disability and protected by the law if he/she has the disability, has a record of having the disability, or is regarded as having the disability.

A “qualified person with a disability” means an individual who, with reasonable modifications or “accommodations” (if necessary) to rules, policies or practices, the removal of barriers or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the eligibility requirements for the receipt of services and the participation in programs or activities.

“Accommodation” refers to a change in the status quo. A “reasonable accommodation” in the student setting is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, activity or building that allows the person with a disability to participate as fully as possible in the programs and activities offered by the university.