Section 504 vs. ADA
The difference between Section 504 and ADA was not very clear to me. Is the ADA an extension of section 504?
I appreciate your help!!
Isis,
Good question. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federally funded entities. If any of your students use federal financial aid to attend the institution, you are a recipient of federal funds and are responsible under 504. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability if you are NOT federally funded (state and local government or private sector funding). Your institution is covered under Title III of the ADA (for private entities). So the college is most likely covered under BOTH laws. But what you are required to do is pretty much the same. The ADA, which came 13 years after 504, said "If we didn't have you before, we've got you now!" Colleges were among the relatively few entities that are covered under BOTH laws.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
