Vision:

A campus that is welcoming and inclusive to all students

Mission:

To lead the campus in creating access.  When barriers persist, SAR determines qualified disability status and assists students with obtaining appropriate accommodations and services

Goals:

Using Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act standards as a framework, SAR will:

• assist students by making every effort to help students with disabilities attain quality educational objectives, promote self-awareness and self-advocacy as well as maximize their potential in a diverse and accessible environment.
• assist students to determine access and use academic accommodations;
• equip students who have disabilities with the technical resources that help them reach their educational goals;
• foster an environment that encourages personal and academic growth and facilitates independence;
• empower students to understand their abilities and needs, as well as the resources available to them; and
• serve as an educational resource on disability concerns for our students, faculty, staff, and community.

 

Two federal statutes govern the provision of disability services in higher education: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Unlike the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which provides a free and appropriate education to individuals with disabilities in the K-12 school system, these statutes are civil rights laws that are intended to provide access and prevent discrimination for individuals with disabilities.

1)    Section 504 applies to any institution receiving federal financial assistance.

2)    The ADA has three titles that apply to employment opportunities, state and local government and public access. Title II applies to state and local governments, including public colleges and universities such as West Virginia State University.

Both acts allow for the provision of auxiliary aids to grant equal access. The ADA stipulates that reasonable accommodations that do not fundamentally alter the program requirements or standards are to be provided unless they cause an undue burden.