Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
“It is the purpose of this Act . . . to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities [and] to provide clear, strong, consistent, enforceable standards addressing discrimination against individuals with disabilities . . . .” 42 U.S.C. § 12101(b).
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
Section 504, Rehabilitation Act
“No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . . .” 29 U.S.C. § 794(a).
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs receiving federal financial assistance and in the employment practices of federal contractors. Each federal agency has its own set of § 504 regulations but all include reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities, program accessibility, effective communication for individuals who have hearing or vision disabilities, and accessible new construction.
Ms. Lisa Cucarese, College Registrar, serves as the 504 Coordinator for Bethany College. Any student, faculty, staff, or guest who requires special accommodations should contact Ms. Cucarese for medically necessary needs regarding classroom or special event locations. Ms. Cucarese can be reached at 304-829-7821 or by email: lcucarese@bethanywv.edu.
Dr. Chris Sampson, Director of the McCann Learning Center, will continue to serve as the coordinator for students who need special educational accommodation such as testing, note taking, or other educational support. To contact Dr. Sampson: csampson@bethanywv.edu
