Academic Catalog 2024-25 > Academic Policies and Procedures > Policies and Procedures for Students with Disabilities > Definition

Definition

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 define a person with a disability as one who:

• Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working;
• has a record of such a disability; or
• is regarded as having such a disability.

Students with temporary illnesses, injuries, or conditions are not considered disabled under these laws. However, ADS will work with such students on a case-by-case basis to make appropriate adjustments to assist them within available resources of the Student Success Center.

In order to establish whether or not a student meets the definition of "a person with a disability," the University relies upon a set of procedures. Students requesting accommodations on the basis of disability are expected to actively participate in the process of determining their eligibility for Accessibility and Disability Services.