II. Definitions

An individual with a disability is defined as any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity or has a record of such an impairment. The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as medication, medical supplies, equipment, or appliances, low-vision devices (which do not include ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses), prosthetics including limbs and devices, hearing aids and cochlear implants, or other implantable hearing devices, mobility devices, or oxygen therapy equipment and supplies; use of assistive technology; reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids or services; or learned behavioral or adaptive neurological modifications. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working. Major life activity also includes the operation of a major bodily function, including but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

Qualified individual with a disability means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by AUHS. It also means an individual with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards requisite for admission or participation in the education programs of the AUHS campuses. This includes students with disabilities participating in clinical or field placements that are offered as part of a program’s field of study.

The ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require AUHS to provide appropriate and reasonable academic and employment accommodations to students with disabilities unless doing so would create an undue hardship, compromise the health and safety of members of the community, or fundamentally alter the nature of the University’s employment or academic mission. As described more fully herein, the University engages in an interactive process with the student to determine disability status and accommodation needs.