Congress passed the Rehabilitation Act in 1973. Section 504 of this act protects persons with disabilities from discrimination. In 1978 regulations were published outlining specific ways in which institutions or agencies receiving federal financial assistance are to insure that discrimination does not take place. The Disability Services Office at Eastern Oregon University is the access point for persons with disabilities. Disability Services helps students with campus resources and assists them in meeting the academic needs of the disabled student.

WHAT SEC 504 REQUIRES EASTERN TO DO:

Section 504 states: "No qualified handicapped individual shall, solely by reason of his handicap, 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." Section 504 uses the word "handicapped" the same way we used the word "disabled". 

There are two key concepts which are important to understand about Section 504. First, 504 is a non-discrimination law. It states that disabled students must receive equal opportunity and equal treatment. It is not an affirmative action law which requires extra advantages or special treatment. 504 mandates that a qualified disabled student should have an educationally equivalent experience to that of a non-disabled student. Second, 504 requires program accessibility rather than total accessibility. A university provides equal opportunity to disabled persons in each of its programs, activities, and services when, viewed as a whole, it is accessible. Barriers may exist, but as long as they do not hinder the full appreciation of disabled persons in each program or activity, it is deemed accessible. Program access may include, but is not limited to, providing auxiliary aids (note-takers, tape recorders, special texts, etc.), or reassignment of classes or other services to more appropriate buildings, or the use of an assistant to perform certain tasks. When readjustments such as these are not sufficient or appropriate, construction or alteration of facilities may be necessary for compliance with Section 504.

Eastern offers a comprehensive program of services for students with various degrees of disabilities.

website maintained by Mandi Mullins

mmullins@eou.edu