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Welcome
The Disability Services Resources Guide for Faculty, Staff and Students is designed to be utilized on line. While it is hoped the document be viewed in its entirety, the user can click on any topic and go directly to that section. The goal is to provide a comprehensive document that is simple and efficient to use and update. Comments, suggestions and criticisms are welcome.
Introduction
Carnegie Mellon takes great efforts to provide physical and programmatic campus access to everyone. Qualified individuals are entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA regulations). Accommodations are determined based on documentation and on a case-by-case basis. Equal Opportunity Services (EOS) serves as a link between individuals with disabilities and the campus community. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are guaranteed certain protections and rights to equal access to programs and services.
Mission/Vision Statement
To provide accommodations and services that strive for an inclusive community, promote best practices and endorse both physical and programmatic access to all events and information in the Carnegie Mellon University community.
The Law
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and assured reasonable accommodations. To establish that an individual is covered under the ADA, documentation must be provided. The documentation must indicate that the disability substantially limits some major life activity including, but not limited to, learning and working.
The ADA contains requirements for buildings and facilities, as well as access to the programs offered. The ADA also covers effective communication with people with disabilities, eligibility criteria that may restrict or prevent access, and requires reasonable modifications of policies and practices that may be discriminatory.
Accessibility Compliance - ADA Committee
Carnegie Mellon makes reasonable accommodations to faculty, staff and students of the university with disabilities. Each year, the ADA Committee evaluates potential accommodations and allocates funds for projects designed to make the campus more accessible to all.
The overriding principal the committee uses when considering physical accessibility of the university's facilities is that the campus, viewed in its entirety, must be accessible to disabled individuals. Not every part of every structure needs to be fully accessible, but where it is impractical to make modifications that would open up a specific area, a suitable accessible alternative must be provided. Our goal is to enable disabled individuals to participate in the activities of the institution in the most integrated setting possible. The obligations imposed on "places of public accommodation" include:
- removing physical barriers
- assisting members of the Carnegie Mellon community or the public who are disabled, in order to provide them access to all services offered by the university
- eliminating discriminatory criteria on who can receive services, and practices that tend to screen out or adversely affect disabled persons
- providing special equipment or services to persons with disabilities on request, when needed to allow them to use all of the services of the university on an equal basis
The budget for barrier removal is more than $250,000 per year. Previous barrier removal projects headed by the ADA Committee have included:
- adding ramps and handrails to building entrances or within buildings
- adding stair lifts or elevators
- making bathrooms and water fountains accessible
- modifying doors and entryways to facilitate entry
Many of our residence halls are designed to accommodate special needs as well. Students should request any needed accommodations on their housing application, or contact Housing Services.
To recommend a project that will improve accessibility, or to request an accommodation due to your own disability, contact Equal Opportunity Services.
© Human Resources - EOS - January 2005