Princeton University

 

 

 

A person who qualifies for services provided by the Princeton University Office of Disability Services (ODS) is one who meets the requirements for disabilities as defined by the federal law. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitiation Act of 1973 provide that individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and may be entitled to reasonable accommodation.  This includes individuals with learning, physical, sensory, psychological, medical and temporary disabilities.  To establish that an individual meets the requirements under the law, documentation must be provided that confirms the existence of a specific disability and demonstrates that the functional limitations caused by the disability significantly limit one or more major life activities.   

 

 

A temporary illness or injury may not be considered by law to be a disability but must be tested as to whether the impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities and must be determined by examining the extent, duration, and impact of the impairment. The Office of Disability Services recognizes that students with temporary illnesses or injuries are often in need of services or accommodations similar to those with permanent disabilities in order to maintain their academic program requirements. For this reason, students should contact ODS if reasonable academic accommodations are being requested. Current clinical documentation must be presented in order for these accommodations to be considered.  Students requesting housing accommodations due to a temporary impairment should contact Dean Maria Flores-Mills in the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS).