University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

 It is the goal of the college to help these students reach their full potential. The staff should be aware that Forest Park’s assistance to students with disabilities is based on legal mandates. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990 (ADA) govern the services Forest Parkprovides for students with disabilities. Detailed regulations regarding implementation can be found in 34 Code of Federal regulation Part 104. Section 504 states:

“No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the U.S. shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” Some of the specific implication of this law includes:

• No student can be excluded from any course, major, or program solely on the basis of a disability.
• Certain accommodations are mandated, such as the provision of alternative testing and evaluation methods for measuring student mastery.
• Modifications, substitutions, or waivers of a course, major, or degree requirement may be necessary to meet the needs of some students.

It is discriminatory to restrict the range of career options for students with disabilities as compared to non-disabled students with similar interests and abilities, unless such advice is based on strict licensing or certification requirements that may constitute an obstacle. According to recent court decisions, if students indicate having difficulty with their class work due to a disability, even though they don’t ask for a specific accommodation, the college is responsible for providing accommodations.

For specific questions regarding legal requirements, contact the UAPB campus ADA Compliance Officer Ray Watley (Disability Services-UAPB) at (870) 575-8293.