Student/Faculty Handbook

The Law

Congress passed Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act in 1973. It is a civil rights statute designed to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It provides that:

"No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States shall solely, by reason of his/her disability, be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was modeled after Section 504, was signed into law in July 1990, but most provisions did not take effect until January 26, 1992. The ADA is a federal anti-discrimination statute and civil rights guarantee for persons with disabilities. It is designed to remove barriers which prevent qualified individuals with disabilities from enjoying the same employment opportunities, transportation, public accommodations, services provided by state and local government, and telecommunication relay services available to persons without disabilities.

Taft College Policies

Disability:: Taft College does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to its programs, services and activities.
Race, Color, or National Origin:: Taft College complies with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the regulations adopted there under. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program of The California Community College System.
Sex/Sexual Harassment:: Taft College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities it conducts. Sexual harassment is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

What the Law Means at Taft College

Taft College is a public institution of higher education that receives federal assistance. Thus, the faculty, staff, and administration of Taft College are legally bound to prohibit discrimination in the recruitment process, the admissions process, and the educational process of students with disabilities. Students with documented disabilities are entitled to receive approved modifications, accommodations, or auxiliary aids, which will enable them to participate in, and benefit from, all educational programs and activities on the Taft College campus.

Academic adjustments may include adaptations in the way specific courses are conducted, the use of auxiliary equipment and support staff, and modifications in academic requirements. The College has the flexibility to select the specific aids and services it provides as long as they are appropriate. Such aids and services are determined by the Student Support Services office on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the student who will use them.

Thus, under the provisions of Section 504, one or more of the following services may be required to accommodate the educational needs of students with disabilities:

Support services such as interpreters, note takers, readers (Taft College is not responsible for aids, devices or services of a personal nature, such as personal assistants), or tutoring;
Alternate testing accommodations; i.e. extended time, reader/scribe, use of assistive technology;
Assistive technology and/or adaptive equipment (i.e. screen readers, brailed materials);
Modifications or substitutions of courses, major fields of study, or degree requirements on a case-by-case basis (unless demonstrated that modifications would substantially alter essential elements of the course or program); and,
Other accommodations as appropriate.

The purpose of the above accommodations is to provide educational equity, not advantage. Faculty members are not responsible for modifying their grading procedures or course standards for students with disabilities.

Under the provisions of Section 504, Taft College may not:

Use a pre-admission test reflecting on the applicant's disability rather than aptitude or achievement level, or other factor, the test purports to measure;

Inquire about any disability before admitting a student, unless it is trying to overcome the effects of prior limitations on enrollment of students with disabilities, and the student is willing to volunteer the information;

Limit the number of students with disabilities admitted;

Exclude a qualified student with a disability from any course of study;

Limit eligibility for financial assistance or otherwise discriminate in administering scholarships, fellowships, internships, or assistantships on the basis of a disability;

Counsel a student with a disability toward a more restrictive career;

Measure student achievement using modes that adversely discriminate against a student with a disability; or,

Establish rules and policies that may adversely affect students with disabilities.

Course Substitution

Students with a verified learning disability who are registered with the Student Support Services office may be eligible to petition for a course substitution for a General Education requirement. Information regarding course substitutions may be obtained from the Counseling Center.