UMGC Policy Vl-1.01 UMGC Policy on Access for Individuals with Disabilities

Purpose

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment for individuals with disabilities, including students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. UMGC ensures that no qualified individual is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program, service, or activity based on their disability.

The purpose of this Policy is to outline the University’s responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Sections 504 and 508), and related federal and state regulations. This Policy establishes the University’s approach to accessibility compliance and provides guidance on removing barriers, facilitating equal access, and coordinating ADA-related efforts across the institution through the ADA Compliance unit within the Office of Community Engagement and Compliance.

Scope and Applicability

This Policy applies to all UMGC programs, services, activities, and operations, whether delivered in person, online, or at off-site locations. It applies to all members of the UMGC community, including applicants, students, employees, contractors, and visitors.

1. Accessibility: Ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equitable, independent access to UMGC’s programs, services, activities, technologies, and environments, in compliance with federal and state law.
2. Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the person’s major life activities, taking into consideration any mitigating measures, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment. 
3. Discrimination: Unequal treatment based on a disability that interferes with an individual’s ability to participate in UMGC’s programs, services, or activities.
4. Essential Job Functions: The fundamental, basic job duties performed in a position. A function may be essential because: the position exists to perform that function; there are a limited number of employees available who could perform that function; and/or the function is highly specialized, and the incumbent is hired for special expertise or ability to perform it. 
5. External Technology or Vendors: External platforms, applications, or services used by the university that are not developed in-house. These must be evaluated for accessibility before adoption. 
6. Fundamental Alteration: Any change to an essential requirement of a course or program and is determined on an individual basis. Deliverables, methods of instruction, or methods of assessment can be analyzed to determine if an alternative method, strategy, or assignment format would alter the essential objectives and components of a course or program or job requirement. 
7. Reasonable Accommodations for Students: Any changes to a course, program, the classroom environment, or the way things are usually done that allow an individual with a disability to participate in educational activities or enjoy equal access to benefits available to other individuals in the school environment. Modifications must address prospective or current student’s particular disability(ies) and should not fundamentally alter course, program, or degree requirements. 
8. Reasonable Accommodations for Staff and Faculty and Student Employees: Any changes to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that allow an individual with a Disability to apply for a job, perform job functions, or enjoy equal access to benefits available to other individuals in the workplace. Modifications must address the Disability and should not fundamentally alter employees’ Essential Job Functions. 
9. Retaliation: Action that is taken against an individual because they reported discrimination, filed a complaint of discrimination, or participated in an investigation or proceeding concerning a discrimination complaint; or intimidating, threatening, coercing, or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by law or policy promulgated by USM and/or the University relating to Discrimination, or because an individual has made a report, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an Investigation or proceeding related to Discrimination. Retaliation includes retaliatory harassment. 

Policy Statement

UMGC prohibits Discrimination against individuals on the grounds of Disability and Retaliation against individuals arising in connection with the assertion of rights afforded to them under this Policy. In accordance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), UMGC provides Reasonable Accommodations to qualified individuals with documented Disabilities to ensure they have access to University programs, services, and employment. UMGC is dedicated to identifying and removing Accessibility barriers and fostering full participation for all members of its community. While the University makes every effort to provide effective accommodation, under the ADA we are not required to implement accommodation that would Fundamentally Alter the nature of a program, service, or activity, or that would impose an undue administrative or financial burden.

Enforcement

The Office of Community Engagement and Opportunity, through the ADA Compliance Officer, is responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of this Policy. All members of the UMGC community are expected to comply with applicable federal and state disability laws, as well as University policies and procedures regarding Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodation. If an individual believes they have been denied Reasonable Accommodation by Accessibility Services, they may appeal.

Reporting

If an individual believes they have been denied Reasonable Accommodation by Accessibility Services, they may appeal against the decision by submitting a written appeal to the ADA Compliance Officer. The appeal must include the individual’s name and contact information, a copy of the original accommodation request and decision, and a detailed explanation of the basis for the appeal, including any supporting documentation. The ADA Compliance Officer, or their designee, will review the appeal and provide a written response outlining the outcome and any further actions or remedies available.

The University’s ADA Officer is responsible for campus-wide compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Kamara Vendryes, UMGC ADA Officer
Email: adacompliance@umgc.edu
Phone: (301) 985-7930
UMGC Headquarters
3501 University Boulevard East
Administration Building
Adelphi, MD 20783

Additional Complaint Options:
Students have the right at any time to file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. The Office of Civil Rights investigates timely complaints for which they have jurisdiction.

Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education
Atlanta Office (Regional Office for Maryland)
61 Forsyth Street S.W., Suite 19T10
Atlanta, GA 30303-8927
Telephone: 404-974-9406
FAX: 404-974-9406
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.Atlanta@ed.gov
Website: https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ocr

Employees have the right at any time to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Phone: 800-669-4000
Website: https://www.eeoc.gov/

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights
Phone: 410-767-8600
Website: http://mccr.maryland.gov/

Students and Employees can also file an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint through the US Department of Justice, alleging disability discrimination.

U.S. Department of Justice 
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 
Washington, DC 20530
Website: https://www.ada.gov/

1. P-VI-1.01 Procedures for UMGC Policy on Access for Individuals with Disabilities
2. P-V-1.30: Procedures for UMGC Policy on Student Reasonable Accommodation
3. VI-1.00 UMGC Policy on Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment
4. https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/