Assistive Technology as a Reasonable Accommodation in College

Based on Section 504 and ADA, colleges must provide free reasonable accommodations to make programs accessible for students with disabilities.  Providing AT is often considered a reasonable accommodation in keeping with Section 504, Title II of the ADA which states that "a public entity shall furnish appropriate aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in a service, program, or activity." Of note, the term "equal opportunity" does not guarantee a certain level of success but rather an equal opportunity to achieve the same result as someone without a disability. Additionally, colleges are not required to provide the most sophisticated technology available. Colleges have flexibility in choosing the specific aid or service as long as it achieves the goal of equalizing opportunity for students with disabilities. Although the term "reasonable" is under debate, it is usually agreed that a "reasonable accommodation" would not cause undue financial burden for a college.  Based on most colleges' technology budgets, the cost many assistive technology devices is considered reasonable. Therefore, under Section 504 and the ADA, college students with disabilities find that AT is an important accommodation.

At Cabrini University's Disability Resource Center, we provide a variety of AT devices for students with learning disabilities. For example, we provide recorders and smart pens for students with note taking accommodations.  For students with test taking accommodations, we provide word processing applications, calculators, and text-to-speech reading software. Alternative format books, audio books, and reading software are examples of AT which Cabrini regularly provides DRC students with reading disabilities. For completing papers and assignments, our students use alternative format books, reading software, word processing, online graphic organizers, and voice recognition applications. Over the last few years, Cabrini and other colleges have found that there is a significant increase in the number of students with disabilities and that effective use of AT offers these students the opportunity for greater access to college success.

Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom. Boston:

      MA:  Pearson.