Student Rights & Responsibilities
Understanding your Rights as a STUDENT
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” means any person who:
- has a physical or mental impairment, which substantially limits one or more major live activities
- has a record of such an impairment, or
- is regarded as having such an impairment
What are major life activities?
- Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communication, and working.
- A major life activity also includes the operation of major bodily function, but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological. brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.
- An individual meets the requirement of “being regarded as having such an impairment” if the individual establishes that he or she has been subjected to an action because of actual or perceived physical or mental impairment whether or not the impairment limits or is perceived to limit a major activity.
- A transitory impairment is an impairment with an actual or expected duration of 6 months or less.
” 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. You may obtain a copy by contacting OCR at http://www.ed.gov/OCR/docs/auxaids.html“
“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
UNCG wants you to succeed! Here are a few things that you can do to ensure your success during your time at UNCG:
- Self-advocacy – you know better than anyone else what you need!
- Work with UNCG staff and stay connected to campus resources
- Seek support from family, friends and other UNCG students, including those with disabilities.
- Know your talents and capitalize on them
- Believe in yourself as you embrace new challenges in your education.
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