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John,
You aren't going to like this answer, but, YES. The federal government says that no school (including a proprietary school) can turn away someone because you don't think they can get a job in the field **if the reason you believe that is simply because they have a disability.** The Feds have put proprietary schools in a difficult position, because part of your accreditation is based on career placement numbers. But the fact remains that there are other students who enter your program who are not ultimately successful (either in completing the program or in getting employment). To exclude someone ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY ALONE is considered discrimination. The answer to this dilemma does not lie in your admissions decisions. It lies in developing clear and concise technical standards that you can lay before a prospective student and have a frank conversation about how the student intends to meet those technical standards for the program -- because if he/she cannot make it through the program of study, they certainly aren't likely to find employment in the field. THAT is when you have the conversation with the student about available options... after they have come to their own conclusion about the viability of their pursuit.

Dr. Jane Jarrow

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