Implementing the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 in higher education

Area of Science:

• Higher Education Administration
• Disability Law Compliance
• Occupational Therapy in Academia

Background:

• Universities face complex challenges in complying with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
• Existing compliance strategies may be reactive, addressing specific incidents rather than systemic needs.
• A structured model is needed to navigate ADA compliance within the intricate university environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance understanding among higher education educators and administrators regarding the ADA's impact.
• To propose strategies for occupational therapists to assist institutions in ADA compliance.
• To introduce a systems approach model for proactive ADA planning in universities.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a systems approach model based on general systems theory.
• Analyzing the three core components: input (applicants), throughput (students), and output (graduates).
• Identifying key university subsystems affected by ADA, such as admissions, transportation, housing, dining, and curricula.

Main Results:

• The systems approach model helps identify university subsystems impacted by the ADA.
• It facilitates proactive planning for reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Occupational therapists can leverage this model to design holistic, proactive ADA programs.

Conclusions:

• The systems approach provides a framework for universities to understand and manage ADA compliance.
• Occupational therapists are well-positioned to support higher education institutions in developing effective, proactive ADA strategies.
• A holistic, systems-level perspective is crucial for successful ADA integration in higher education.