UConn Accessibility Policies
It is the University’s policy that no qualified individual be excluded from consideration for employment, participation in any University program or activity, be denied the benefits of any University program or activity, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination with regard to any University program or activity.
The following is a comprehensive list of UConn policies related to disability. Any questions regarding a policy may be directed to the policy owner, where identified, or the ADA Coordinator/Office of Institutional Equity at 860-486-2943 or equity@uconn.edu.
University-Wide
UConn Health
Federal and State Disability Laws and Enforcement Agencies
Federal and State Disability Laws
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. The current text of the ADA includes changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (P.L. 110‐325), which became effective on January 1, 2009. The ADA was originally enacted in public law format and later rearranged and published in the United States Code.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Section 504 provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his 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 . . . ." OCR enforces Section 504 in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from ED. Recipients of this Federal financial assistance include public school districts, institutions of higher education, and other state and local education agencies. The regulations implementing Section 504 in the context of educational institutions appear at 34 C.F.R. Part 104.
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act Section 1557 is the nondiscrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs or activities. For individuals with disabilities, the final rule requires covered entities to make all programs and activities provided through electronic and information technology accessible; to ensure the physical accessibility of newly constructed or altered facilities; and to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities.
Connecticut State Disability Laws
Sec. 46a-60. (Formerly Sec. 31-126). Prohibited discriminatory employment practices.
Sec. 46a-64. (Formerly Sec. 53-35). Prohibited discriminatory public accommodations practices.
Civil Rights Enforcement Agencies
The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. OCR is also responsible for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 which prohibits disability discrimination by all public entities.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, genetic information, religion, national origin, age, or disability, as well as retaliation protections for persons complaining of discrimination or participating in the investigation of discriminatory activity. These laws prohibit discrimination in the job application and hiring process, and in the context of terminations, promotions, trainings, wages, or any other terms, privileges or conditions of employment.
The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) enforces state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit transactions. The mission of the CHRO is to eliminate discrimination through the enforcement of civil and human rights laws and to further the goals of equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education. Connecticut law provides protections against discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, race, criminal record, genetic information, disability, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or workplace hazards to reproductive systems, as well as retaliation protections for whistleblowers and persons complaining of discrimination or participating in the investigation of discriminatory activity.
The U.S. Department of Labor administers a variety of federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers’ rights to safe and healthful working conditions, a minimum hourly wage, and overtime pay. The Department of Labor is also responsible for enforcing comprehensive federal labor laws in areas such as record keeping, youth and special employment, family and medical leave, migrant workers, lie detector tests, protections in certain temporary worker programs, and the prevailing wages for government service and construction contracts. The Connecticut Department of Labor is responsible for a number of state labor programs, including unemployment insurance, wage and workplace standards, and the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforces laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in health programs, services, activities and facilities. The HHS OCR is responsible for accepting and investigating Section 1557 complaints.
For more information about other entities that enforce state and federal nondiscrimination laws, please go to the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the U.S. Department of Justice or to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
ADA / Section 504 Coordinator
Letissa Reid, J.D.
Associate Vice President
Office of Institutional Equity (OIE)
241 Glenbrook Rd., Unit 4175
Storrs, CT 06269
Tel: (860) 486‐2943
letissa.reid@uconn.edu
InForm is a tool to help the UConn community navigate the reporting process and support available for a variety of incidents including bias, harassment, safety concerns, and other types of misconduct.