“No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States….Shall, solely by reason of his/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”.  According to Section 504 students with disabilities in higher education must have equal and meaningful access to:

A “qualified individual with a disability” is one who “with or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies, or practices; the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers; or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by (the postsecondary institution)”.

Persons with disabilities are entitled to access programs, services, and activities in the most integrated setting feasible. The nature of a college’s programs, services, and activities would very rarely, if ever, call for segregation of persons with disabilities. Programs designed specifically for persons with disabilities are permissible, but cannot preempt their right to participate – with full accommodation – in any regular activity.