No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any School program or activity. 42 U.S.C. 2000d
No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the School, or be subjected to discrimination by the School. Nor shall the School exclude or otherwise deny equal services, programs, or activities to an individual because of the known disability of an individual with whom the individual is known to have a relationship or association. 42 U.S.C. 12132; 28 CFR 35.130(g)
A "qualified individual with a disability" is 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 the School. 42 U.S.C. 12131(2); 28 CFR 35.104
The School shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless the School can demonstrate that making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.
28 CFR 35.130(b)(7)
The School shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with applicants, participants, and members of the public with disabilities are as effective as communications with others. To this end, the School shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a service, program, or activity conducted by the School. In determining what type of auxiliary aid or service is necessary, the School shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with disabilities.
28 CFR 35.160
"Auxiliary aids and services" includes (1) qualified interpreters, note takers, transcription services, written materials, assistive listening systems, and other effective methods for making aurally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments, (2) qualified readers, taped texts, audio recordings, Brailled materials, large print materials, or other effective methods for making visually delivered materials available to individuals with visual impairments, (3) acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, and (4) other similar services and actions. 28 CFR 35.104
The School is not required to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. Any decision that compliance with its responsibility to provide effective communication for individuals with disabilities would fundamentally alter the service, program, or activity or unduly burden the School shall be made by the Board after considering all resources available for use in funding and operating the program, service, or activity. The decision shall be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. 28 CFR 35.164
The School shall make available to applicants, participants, beneficiaries, and other interested persons information regarding the provisions of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its applicability to the services, programs, or activities of the School. The information shall be made available in such manner as the Board and Superintendent find necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against discrimination assured them by the ADA. 28 CFR 35.106
The Superintendent shall coordinate the School's efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title II of the ADA, including any investigation of any complaint communicated to it alleging its noncompliance or alleging any actions that would be prohibited under the ADA. The School shall make available to all interested individuals the name, office address, and telephone number of the employee(s) so designated and shall adopt and publish procedures for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action that would be prohibited under the ADA. 28 CFR 35.107 (See DAA and GF)
The School designates the following person to coordinate all its efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act:
NAME: Dr. Philip Hatlen
OFFICE ADDRESS: 1100 W. 45th Street
OFFICE TELEPHONE: (512) 454-8631
The School may not substantially burden a person’s free exercise of religion, unless it is acting in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and has used the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. Civil Practice and Remedies Code 110.003 [See also DAA and FB]
Adopted: 1/29/93
Amended: 3/22/96, 3/21/03
Reviewed: 5/23/97