Answers to Questions Regarding the ADA and Section 504
May colleges deny services if a student refused to document his or her disability?
Yes. A college has no obligation to provide services to a student who refused to provide documentation of his or her disability.
Can a college be held liable under the ADA if it is unaware of a student's disability?
No. The college's obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation applies only to known disabilities.
Does an institution have any obligation to lower its admissions standards for individuals with disabilities?
No. An applicant's disability should play no part in an admission decision, and the institution has no obligation to lower its admissions standards to admit an applicant with a disability.
What is the scope of the college's obligation to provide auxiliary aids or services to students with disabilities in the classroom?
An educational institution has a duty to provide reasonable accommodations in the classroom for students with known disabilities when services have been requested in a timely manner.
Does a college have any obligation to provide personal services or devices?
No. An educational institution is not required to provide a student who has a disability with personal or individually prescribed devices.
Must an institution lower its academic standards to accommodate a student with a disability?
No. But it should be noted that a college may be required to make some modifications to its academic requirements to ensure that such requirements do not discriminate or have the effect of discriminating on the basis of the student's disability.
Does an institution's obligation extend to providing accommodations during a test to a student with a disability?
Yes. Reasonable accommodation must be provided if appropriate notice is given.
Must an institution's library materials be accessible to students with disabilities?
Yes. The institution has an obligation to ensure that students have effective access to library materials.
Do I have to apply for accommodations to bring a service animal on campus?
No, you do not need to apply to bring a service animal on campus. However, we do appreciate it if you could provide the Access Center a courtesy notice about your service animal. Not only does this help prepare us, but there may also be other accommodations and/or services that would benefit you. Please note that emotional support animals (ESA) are not permitted on campus.