There are two federal laws that impact the civil rights of students with disabilities in higher education: the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

States that: "No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States... shall, solely by reason of... handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

ADA is: The civil rights guarantee for persons with disabilities in the United States. It provides protection from discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA upholds and extends the standards for compliance set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to employment practices, communications, and all policies, procedures and practices that impact on the treatment of students with disabilities. For additional information on federal disability legislation, visit A Guide to Disability Rights Laws located on the Department of Justice webpage . The Department of Justice also maintains a toll free ADA information line. The number is 800-514-0301 (Voice) or 800-514-0383 (TDD).