Resources Related to Disability Access
Whitman College is committed to advancing accessibility. The College Accessibility Committee works to ensure that we are making progress in advancing accessibility at Whitman. You can find more information at the CAC on the designated webpage. Whitman also maintains an institutional membership with AHEAD, the Association on Higher Education and Disability. Through AHEAD, we have access to an abundance of online resources to assist in our efforts to promote and advance accessibility at the College. The Division of Inclusive Excellence has sponsored staff attendance at AHEAD’s annual Equity and Excellence conference on Access in Higher Education.
AHEAD’s Webinar Series
In addition, the College typically registers each semester for AHEAD’s webinar series. You can find detailed information about the webinars on the AHEAD website. AHEAD webinars are also posted on the campus events calendar with Instructions for how to register using your @whitman email address.
Fall 2024 Webinars tackle the following topics:
- Service Dogs in Science Labs: Barriers to Inclusion
- A Vast Menu of Options: Navigating Dietary Accommodations
- Coaching in Disability Services: A Panel Discussion
- The New Title II Digital Accessibility Regulations: What Institutions Need to Do Now to Work Toward Timely Compliance
- What Can I Say? Disclosure of Student Disability Information in Higher Education
- Grounded Practice: Guiding Principles for Making Decisions Regarding Access and Accommodations
- Understanding the Higher Education Civil Rights Landscape: Section 504, ADA, Title IX, and Title VI
Contact diversity@whitman.edu to request access to recordings of any of these sessions.
Additional Information
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires private colleges to provide equal access to postsecondary education for students with disabilities. This includes:
Physical Accessibility
Ensuring that buildings, walkways, restrooms, athletic facilities, and parking spaces are accessible.
Program Accessibility
Making sure that all programs and activities, including extracurricular activities, are accessible.
Academic Accommodations
Making reasonable academic adjustments, such as extended exam time, modified attendance policies, and alternative testing arrangements.
Aids and Services
Providing necessary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters, assistive technologies, note-taking assistance, and counseling services.
Non-discrimination
Ensuring that students with disabilities are treated fairly in admissions, programs, and services.
Web Content Accessibility
Making sure that digital spaces, including websites, apps, and digital content, are accessible.
Service Animals
Allowing students to bring their own emotional and/or service support animals to campus. However, the ADA only covers service animals that have been trained to perform tasks, and does not cover service animals in training.
Title II & III
Title II of the ADA covers publicly-funded universities, community colleges and vocational schools. Title III of the ADA covers privately-funded schools. All public or private schools that receive federal funding are required under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to make their programs accessible to students with disabilities.
All the programs of postsecondary institutions, including extracurricular activities, must be accessible to students with disabilities. The schools can do this in several ways: by providing architectural access to buildings, including residential facilities; by providing aids and services necessary for effective communication, like sign language interpreters, Braille or electronic formats and assistive listening devices; and by modifying policies, practices and procedures, such as testing accommodations and access to school facilities for service animals. Accommodations and program modifications should be individually designed to meet the needs of the student with a disability.
Accommodations and modifications of policies and practices are not required when it would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity or give rise to an undue financial or administrative burden.
The precise requirements for physical accessibility depend on when the building was constructed or altered. Colleges and universities can also relocate programs to accessible areas or other buildings.
Source: U.S. Department of Education