Ensuring Equal Access

How OARS Ensures Equal Access

1. OARS determines if the student qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a person who:
   1. has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,
   2. has a history or record of such an impairment, or
   3. is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
2. Based on the student’s self-report and supporting documentation, OARS determines if there is an institutional barrier to the student’s equal access.
3. If such a barrier is identified, the Accessibility Specialist will approve reasonable accommodations to remove the barrier.
4. If a functional limitation and correlated barrier are not identified, the accommodation cannot be approved.