University Policies Regarding Disabilities

Auburn University complies with Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by ensuring that its campus and related activities are accessible to all employees and students. As the University strives to make its physical and virtual campuses universally accessible, it is University policy to make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Under the ADA and Section 503, a qualified individual with a disability is defined as an individual with a disability who meets the skills, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position held or desired and who, with or without reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of a job. Similarly, under the ADA and Section 504, a qualified student must meet the general admission criteria of the University and upon admission, must be offered an accessible academic environment.

The ADA recognizes that unnecessary visible and invisible barriers may discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities just as much as overt exclusionary practices. Reasonable accommodations in the academic environment, the employment setting, and the interview process are key nondiscrimination requirements of the ADA because of the special nature of discrimination faced by persons with disabilities. Refusing to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified student, applicant, or employee with a disability, unless the accommodations would pose an undue hardship on the organization, is a violation of University policy and the ADA. For this reason, the ADA requires reasonable accommodations as a means of overcoming unnecessary barriers that prevent or restrict participation in academic activities or employment opportunities for otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities.

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work or educational environment, a policy or practice, or the manner in which work is usually done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy equal employment or educational opportunity. A reasonable accommodation should reduce or eliminate unnecessary barriers, both visible and invisible, between the individual’s abilities and the requirements for performing essential job functions or meeting academic requirements.

Auburn University recognizes that an accessible and equitable environment requires commitment from all University faculty, staff, and students; therefore, there are two support offices on campus tasked with ensuring accessibility and compliance across campus. The Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (Office of AA/EEO) and the Office of Accessibility provide support for Auburn University employees and students, both with and without disabilities. These offices provide assistance for applicants, employees, and students in need of reasonable accommodations, as well as guidance for supervisors, faculty, and staff on how to provide these accommodations.

Employees and supervisors with questions regarding job-related accommodations should contact the Office of AA/EEO at (334) 844-4794. Faculty, staff, or students with questions about academic accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility at (334) 844-2096.