The 1973 Rehabilitation Act represents a significant step in legal protection for the disabled. The law forbid organizations receiving federal funds from discriminating against the disabled.
In the years that passed, however, rulings by the Supreme Court weakened the reach of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. However, activists were able to effectively overturn those rulings by pushing for the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988, which strengthened the ban on discrimination based on race, sex, ethnic origin and disabilities from public institutions.
Two years later, the Americans with Disabilities Act was adopted into law, banning discrimination against the disabled in employment or education.
ADA applies to those with a documented or obvious physical or mental disability that impairs their ability to do everyday things like walk, talk, hear, see or take care of themselves.
Publicly funded schools must accommodate students of any age. This can include providing interpreters, telecommunication devices for the deaf and audio devices for the blind. The exception to this rule is a school that can prove that accommodating a disabled student is too expensive or too difficult.
The ADA requirements also apply to private schools that offer courses and examinations necessary for credentialing, licensing or professional services. The school must accommodate the disabled student, such as extending the time limit, providing devices or help that will allow the student to complete the exam or even change the location of the exam for the disabled student.
Disabled adults may want to pursue adult education programs for a variety of reasons. Adult education classes can help a disabled person complete courses and tests to earn a high school diploma or learn important life skills. The Adult Basic Education and literacy programs can help disabled students improve their math, reading and writing skills. Most students who enroll the program do not have a high school diploma.
A disabled person wishing to have the equivalent of a high school diploma can take the GED tests. Most colleges and employers consider a GED as an equivalent to a high school diploma. The GED test site must accommodate a disabled person if she requests it, including allowing extra time, a different testing site or an interpreter.
Anyone who has been discriminated against while trying to participate in an education facility covered by the ADA should file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. You have 180 days from when the alleged act occurred to file a complaint. In most cases the civil rights office will try to facilitate a meditation between you and the organization.