With regard to students with disabilities, Scottsdale Community College is governed by one State and two Federal laws: Title II of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities, Title II of the 1993 Arizonan’s with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), was enacted on July 26, 1990, “to provide a clear and comprehensive mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.” This federal legislation expanded equal treatment of people with disabilities in employment, public services and transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications services. SCC adheres to all employment, programmatic and architectural requirements in accordance with the ADA.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

• The Rehabilitation Act is generally regarded as the first "civil rights" legislation for persons with disabilities on the national level.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act bears directly upon college programs.
• Section 504 is a program access statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity offered by an entity or institution receiving federal financial assistance.
• Section 504 does not require special educational programming to be developed for students with disabilities, but does require that an institution (public or private) be prepared to make appropriate academic adjustments and reasonable modifications to policies and practices in order to allow the full participation of students with disabilities in the same programs and activities available to non-disabled students.

Section 504 states:

"No otherwise qualified person with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely on the basis of disability, be denied access to, or the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by any institution receiving federal financial assistance."

Legal Implications:

Section 504 defines a “person with a disability” as someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. A person is considered to be a person with a disability if he/she has the disability, has a record of the disability or is regarded as having the disability.

Physical impairment – means any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organ, respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genito-urinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin and endocrine; "mental impairment" means any psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

Major life activity – means functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

In regards to academic requirements and adjustments – It is agreed that college curricula should in no case be watered down and Section 504 does not obligate an institution to waive specific courses or academic requirement.