Higher Education Briefing Series: Accommodating Students with Disabilities

August 27, 2004

Agenda
Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Speakers and Program
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Peter A. Jones, Esq., BS&K
Syracuse location only
Stephen Simon, Director of the Office of Disability Services, Syracuse University

Both federal and state law require Higher Education institutions to reasonably accommodate the needs of students with covered disabilities. As is the case with many legal obligations of this type, compliance can often be difficult, with few, if any, "bright line" rules. This seminar will look at a number of issues which institutions must wrestle with, including:

  • Who is entitled to an accommodation
  • What process must be followed in offering an accommodation
  • When is an accommodation "unreasonable"
  • How to deal with the OCR compliance process

We will also review specific accommodations which have been deemed "reasonable" and required in a variety of common settings, as well as discuss an institution's responsibilities with respect to off-campus programs. Mr. Simon will discuss difficult issues that arise, and offer practical advice on complex accommodation issues.