The Americans with Disabilities Act is a wide-ranging legislation intended to make society more accessible to people with disabilikties.  It protects fundamental rights and extends equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities to the areas of public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.

Under the ADA, a person with a disability is defined as any person who...

• has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities
• has a record of such impairment
• is regarded as having such an impairment

The ADA also clarifies the Section 504 phrase "otherwise qualified" individual with a disability, as one, "either...with or without reasonable modification to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities..."

Sections 504 and 508 of The Rehabilitation Act apply to colleges and universities receiving federal financial assistance.  The mandates of the ADA apply to all institutions of higher education, regardless of the receipt of federal funds.