The mission of Oregon State University is to serve the people of Oregon, the nation, and the world through education, research and service. One of the guiding principles underlying that mission is that diversity is a key to success. OSU is committed to equal opportunity for all without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, age, religious belief, disability, or sexual orientation. Furthermore, the university has a moral obligation to open its doors wider for any groups that are underrepresented or that have suffered from discrimination.
People with disabilities must be full members of the educational community. For this to occur, every member of the University community must accept responsibility for being aware of and responsive to the particular needs of people with disabilities. The University recognizes that traditional methods, programs, and services may not accommodate the needs of some persons with disabilities. What persons without disabilities view as conveniences may present serious barriers for people who have disabilities. The policy and guidelines set forth are intended to provide direction in avoiding discrimination and in assuring reasonable accommodations.
It is the policy of Oregon State University to comply with Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable federal and state regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The Rehabilitation Act and the ADA require that no qualified person shall, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University. Each qualified person shall receive the reasonable accommodations needed to ensure equal access to employment, educational opportunities, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting.
To be a disability covered by protection of the ADA, an impairment must substantially limit one or more major life activities. These are activities that an average person can perform with little or no difficulty, such as walking, seeing, or working.
The ADA also covers individuals who have a record of such impairment, or are regarded by others as having such an impairment. Temporary impairments, including pregnancy, are not covered as disabilities under the ADA.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to meet with their professors and/or teaching assistants to state what accommodations they need--doing so will help the professor in understanding and meeting individual needs.
The University shall not discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
Protection from discrimination in employment applies to all university employees: students, classified employees, academic employees, and all employment applicants.
Under state and federal guidelines, OSU has an obligation to act affirmatively to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. At the recruitment stage, extra efforts shall be made to attract qualified candidates with disabilities.
Otherwise qualified persons may not, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, or other educational program or activity.
The number or proportion of persons with disabilities who will be admitted or enrolled may not be limited solely on the basis of disability.
Admissions/placement tests that are controlled by the University shall meet the following criteria:
Inquiries as to whether applicants for admission/registration have disabilities may not be made except for purposes of providing equal access and for affirmative action purposes. It is the responsibility of the enrollee to make special needs known at the time of pre-registration, or in advance of a course, workshop, program or activity for which accommodation is sought (Students see "Part II: Areas of Responsibility," #6). Confidential post admission inquiries on behalf of the University regarding disabilities that may require reasonable accommodations are permissible.
All students with disabilities receiving services from the University are encouraged to participate in priority scheduling and early registration, when to do so would provide reasonable accommodation. The guidelines for priority scheduling and early registration are as follows:
Academic requirements shall be modified, as necessary, to ensure that they do not discriminate against qualified applicants and students with disabilities. These modifications should not affect the substance of the educational programs nor compromise educational standards, nor should they intrude upon academic freedom.
Modifications may include, but are not limited to:
Examinations or other procedures of evaluating students' academic achievement should be adapted to permit evaluating the achievement of students who have disabilities; the result of the evaluation must represent each student's mastery of knowledge rather than reflecting the disability. It is a student's responsibility to request test accommodation at enrollment or at the beginning of the program/course according to institutional procedures.
Testing accommodations may include but need not be limited to:
The appropriateness of any alternative testing method will be determined on a course by course basis.
If a faculty member is concerned that an accommodation will lower standards, compromise an essential component of or fundamentally alter a course or program, such concern should be raised at the earliest opportunity but no later than the first business day following the first day of the class section in which the student is enrolled, or receipt of notification of the accommodation, whichever is later. DAS shall immediately attempt informal resolution of the matter. In the event informal resolution efforts by DAS are unsuccessful, DAS shall notify the student of his/her right to file a grievance with OAAEO, no later than 30 days prior to the end of the current academic term, if time permits. When the student has filed a grievance with OAAEO or DAS has requested OAAEO's assistance in addressing the dispute, and OAAEO's attempts at informal resolution have been unsuccessful, OAAEO will convene and seek the advice of a deliberation committee of, at least, five faculty: two from the department where the concern was raised, two teaching faculty from the University Advisory Committee on Persons With Disabilities, and at least one from a related discipline selected by OAAEO with input from the chair of the UACPD. In rendering its advice to the OAAEO, the committee shall thoroughly consider such information and input, as it deems appropriate to address the issue. Every effort will be made to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible and within the term in which the issue was raised. OAAEO will decide how the matter should be resolved. Unless there is an appreciable threat to the safety of the student with a disability or others, the student should be allowed to proceed under the proposed accommodation until the matter is resolved. OAAEO will comply with the time limits prescribed by OSU's Discrimination Complaint Procedures.
In order to provide reasonable accommodation, auxiliary aids shall be available for students with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. The types of services that may be available include:
Students whose auxiliary aids are not paid for by a state vocational rehabilitation agency shall be provided auxiliary aids as a form of reasonable accommodation by the University. The University is not required to provide personally prescribed devices. The appropriate number and type of aid shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. Discretionary auxiliary aids may be provided to the extent that funding allows.
Any publication which describes services, programs, or activities (e.g. brochures, handouts, position announcements) must include a statement regarding availability in accessible formats.
In addition, notice of physical and program access must be provided for all campus events and programs. All announcements, ticket information, brochures, etc., must include a request for accommodation statement.
OSU does not discriminate on the basis of disability in physical activity courses, athletics, intramural and recreational program opportunities. Qualified students with disabilities shall be provided with an equal opportunity to participate in physical education courses, intercollegiate and intramural athletics or recreational opportunities.
Students who cannot participate in regularly offered physical education courses, or who cannot compete in athletic or intramural programs due to disability, may be offered physical education and athletic activities that are separate or different, provided that the programs and activities are operated in the most integrated setting. If reasonable accommodation is not possible in a required course, a substitution or a waiver shall be available.
Students with a disability shall not be excused from physical education requirements unless participation is medically contraindicated or appropriate modifications are not possible.
OSU shall provide financial assistance to students with disabilities in the same manner it is provided to students without disabilities. Every effort shall be made to assure that financial aid awards recognize the special needs of students with disabilities, including the possible need for additional budget allowances for documented expenses related to disabilities. These additional expenses would be allowed when not provided by assisting agencies.
Allowances may be made for documented students with disabilities who require a reduced course load of nine (9) hours per term. Students carrying nine hours per term will be considered, based on their eligibility, for the campus-based programs (Perkins NDSL, Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, PLUS), and Pell Grant (3/4 time). Recommendations for this form of accommodation shall be coordinated by the Director of Disability Access Services. The OSU Financial Aid Office shall be responsible for individual financial need assessment including budget allowance, family contribution, and program eligibility.
OSU is committed to helping students with disabilities achieve their academic and personal goals. Students with disabilities are encouraged to seek advice on setting and working toward career goals. Students with disabilities shall not be counseled or advised toward more restrictive career opportunities than are students without disabilities with similar interests and abilities.
The University shall deny or withdraw recognition of or assistance to organizations that discriminate against individuals based on their disability. In addition, the OSU Student Life Policy and Regulations requires that any honorary, social organization, club, living group, or political organization shall not deny consideration for membership to any qualified student because of disability.
Oregon State University is committed to affording equal opportunity to persons with disabilities by providing access to its programs, activities, and services.
Providing one or two accessible outside entries to a building makes entrance to the building itself accessible; it is not required that every outside entrance be accessible. Structural changes in existing facilities are not required where other methods provide program accessibility.
Priority shall be given to methods that offer programs and activities to persons with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate.
Remodeling projects must be consistent with the Uniform Building Code as amended by the State of Oregon or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, whichever governs a particular construction project.
Facilities, or parts of facilities, constructed for the use of the University, must be designed and built so that they and their parts are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. New construction must be planned in accordance with the Uniform Building Code as amended by the State of Oregon or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, whichever governs a particular construction project.
During the planning stages of new construction, the Vice President for Finance and Administration shall have responsibility for seeking input from persons with disabilities regarding accessibility of any new buildings.
Since OSU may hold classes, programs, and activities in private facilities, the University shall take steps to use facilities which are accessible. Contractual or lease agreements shall reflect efforts to ensure accessibility. When accessibility is not really available at a location, the University should include a "Program Accessibility Notice" (see "Part V: Programs," Program Accessibility Notice) in any related pamphlet, brochure, handout, etc., to identify the need for accommodations, and in order to change the program, class, or activity to an accessible location, if necessary.
A certain number of spaces are designated for persons with disabilities to provide access. Reserved motor vehicle parking spaces will be provided (at the regular, appropriate permit cost) as reasonable accommodation or equal access to persons with disabilities on a case-by-case basis, according to the following procedure.
Employees:
Students:
Comparable and accessible on-campus housing and food service shall be provided at the same cost to qualified students with disabilities as it is to students without disabilities.
A student with a disability may receive help from Housing and Dining Services in the following areas:
Students who desire to live in University (on campus) housing should notify Disability Access Services at least one month before their arrival on campus.
These policies were written and published by the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, Oregon State University, January 1996 (revised September, 2002).
