DISABILITY DEFINITION

For the purpose of serving students with disabilities, the ADA defines a disability as:

1. a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits the student's equal access to educational and other university programs,
2. a record of having such an impairment, or
3. being regarded as having one (Jarrow, 1992).

In post-secondary settings, a person must be otherwise qualified to meet academic standards required for admission despite the disability.

For more information, visit the United States Justice Department's ADA Guidelines