Student Rights & Responsibilities
Understanding your Rights & Responsibilities as a STUDENT with a disability
Rights things that are due to a person by law such as the laws discussed below. An example a right is a right to reasonable accommodations due to a disability.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 , the Americans Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans Disabilities Act Amended Act of 2008 prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
According to these laws, no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity or a public entity.
“Person with a disability” is someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, (2) has a history or record of such an impairment (such as cancer in remission) or (3) is perceived by others as having such an impairment (such as a person who has scars from a severe burn).
What are major life activities? Are activities you do on a daily basis, including your body’s own internal processes. Examples include: Eating, sleeping, speaking, breathing, standing, walking, lifting, seeing, hearing, working, reading, learning, talking and others.
“Students with disabilities who know their rights and responsibilities are much better equipped to succeed in postsecondary school.” – US Department of Ed Office for Civil Rights
Responsibilities are things you are accountable for doing such as contacting OARS to self-identify as a student with a disability, notifying OARS if you are not receiving your accommodations, and attending class as scheduled.
” If you would like more information about the responsibilities of postsecondary schools to students with disabilities, read the OCR brochure Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Higher Education’s Obligations Under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA.
UNCG wants you to succeed! Here are a few things that you can do to ensure your success during your time at UNCG:
- Contact OARS if you are not receiving your accommodations.
- Connect with other Campus Resources for tutoring or counseling
- Meet with your professors to ask questions or gain better understanding of material
- Participate in campus activities
Self-Advocacy
Mastering Self-Advocacy
This guide empowers students to confidently communicate their needs, use accommodations, and solve problems independently. It explains self-advocacy, provides real-life examples, and introduces the ASK Method—Assess the Need, State the Situation, Kindly Request Assistance. Practice scenarios teach students to request support respectfully, emphasizing that clear communication is essential for receiving accommodations.
OARS Portal