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Academic Adjustments


Definition of Reasonable Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids and/or Services

A frequent term students will hear when working with the Office for Disability Services (ODS) or the Disability Contact Liaison (DCL) at other locations is reasonable academic adjustment. A reasonable academic adjustment is an academic modification or adjustment that minimizes or eliminates the impact of a disability, allowing the individual to gain equal access and have an equal opportunity to participate in the University's courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities.

Title II of the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 dictates that an institution must make reasonable academic adjustments, provide auxiliary aids and/or services for those individuals with a qualified disability who self identify. To determine reasonable adjustments, auxiliary aids and/or services, ODS at University Park or the DCL at another Penn State location will seek current documentation of the student's disorder/impairment, as well as, information from appropriate University personnel regarding essential standards for courses, programs, services, activities, and facilities. A reasonable academic adjustment is one that does not require a substantial change in the curriculum or alteration of any essential elements or functions of the course, program, service, or activity. Academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and/or services are determined on a case-by-case basis and course-by-course basis.

For further information regarding academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and/or services in higher education, refer to the following web sites from the Department of Education:

Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/auxaids.html

Questions and Answers on Disability Discrimination Under Section 504 and Title II:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/qa-disability.html

The Civil Rights of Students with Hidden Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq5269.html

Disability Discrimination: Overview of the Laws:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/ocr/disabilityoverview.html