This essay discusses the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and its effect on sections 504 and 508. Legal and ethical issues related to the issue, an analysis of a relevant case, the law, and implications for leaders in higher education are presented.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) "prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress" (U.S. Department of Justice, 2005, p. 1).
Effect of ADA on sections 504 and 508
The standards for determining employment discrimination under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act are the same as those used in the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act "prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by Federal agencies, in programs receiving Federal financial assistance, in Federal employment, and in the employment practices of Federal contractors" (U.S. Department of Justice, 2005, p. 11).
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act states "no qualified individual with a disability in the Unites States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under" programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance or is conducted by an Executive agency or the United States Postal Service (U.S. Department of Justice, 2005, p. 12). Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act provides the requirements for electronic and information technology that is developed, procured, maintained, or used by the Federal government; Federal electronic and information technology must be accessible to those with disabilities to include employees and members of the public (U.S. Department of Justice, 2005, p. 12). Section 504 was designed to ensure that Federally financed programs do not discriminate against dis...