Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

“No otherwise qualified individual with disabilities in the United States ...shall solely by reason of her / 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.”

 Provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution of higher education which receives federal assistance, so it is legally bound to prohibit discrimination in the recruitment process, the admissions process and the educational process of students with disabilities.  Students with documented disabilities are entitled to receive approved modifications, appropriate academic adjustments or auxiliary aids that will enable them to participate in and have the opportunity to benefit from all educational programs and activities at Central Piedmont Community College.

Under the provisions of Section 504, Central Piedmont Community College may not:

1. Limit admissions of otherwise qualified students with disabilities;
2. Make pre-admission inquiries as to whether an applicant is disabled;
3. Exclude an otherwise qualified student with a disability from any course of study;
4. Provide less financial assistance to students with disabilities than is provided to non-disabled students or limit eligibility for scholarships on the basis of disability;
5. Counsel students with disabilities into more restrictive career paths than are recommended to non-disabled students;
6. Measure student achievement using modes that adversely discriminate against a student with a disability; or
7. Establish rules and policies that have the effect of limiting participation of qualified students with disabilities in educational programs or activities.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is still in effect, and it contains (in Subpart E) more specific information regarding postsecondary education than the Americans with Disabilities Act.