ADA Section 504

I. PREAMBLE

Atlas University affirms that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore entitled to full participation in the pursuit of wisdom and truth.
The University recognizes disability not as deficiency but as diversity within the divine order—each life reflecting unique purpose and strength.

In this spirit, Atlas University complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and applicable Florida accessibility laws (Fla. Stat. §§ 553.501–553.514).

II. PURPOSE

This Policy ensures that no qualified individual is denied access to any educational program, facility, or employment opportunity on the basis of disability. It further establishes institutional procedures for reasonable accommodation, grievance resolution, and ongoing accessibility improvement.

III. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

PresidentEnsures institutional compliance with all accessibility laws.ADA / Section 504 CoordinatorOversees implementation, accommodation decisions, and grievance processes.Director of Facilities Management (DFM)Ensures physical accessibility of buildings and grounds.Chief Information Officer (CIO)Ensures digital accessibility and compliance with Section 508 standards.Deans and Department ChairsEnsure classroom and curricular accessibility.

Designated Coordinator:
ADA / Section 504 Coordinator
Atlas University, Inc.
Email: accessibility@a1.university

IV. POLICY STATEMENT

Atlas University will provide qualified individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from all programs, services, and activities.
The University will make reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, facilities, and technologies unless doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of a program or impose undue hardship.

V. DEFINITIONS

  1. Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.

  2. Qualified Individual: A person who meets essential eligibility requirements for participation or employment, with or without reasonable accommodation.

  3. Reasonable Accommodation: Modification or adjustment that enables an individual to participate fully, without fundamentally altering program integrity.

  4. Undue Hardship: An accommodation that would cause significant difficulty or expense considering the University’s size, resources, and mission.

VI. PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

1. Students

  • Submit written accommodation requests to the ADA / Section 504 Coordinator using Form A-01: Student Accommodation Request.

  • Documentation from a licensed professional may be required to verify functional limitations.

  • The Coordinator, in consultation with faculty, determines reasonable accommodations within ten (X) business days.

  • Examples: extended testing time, note-taking assistance, accessible housing, adaptive equipment.

2. Employees

  • Submit requests through Human Resources using Form A-02: Employee Accommodation Request.

  • Interactive process initiated between employee, supervisor, and Coordinator to determine effective accommodation.

3. Digital Access

  • Requests for accessible digital materials (captions, alternative text, screen-reader compatibility) directed to the Office of Information Technology.

4. Confidentiality

All disability-related information is confidential and shared only with those directly involved in the accommodation process.

VII. FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACCESSIBILITY

  1. All campus buildings constructed or renovated after 1990 comply with ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010).

  2. Existing facilities are audited biennially for compliance, with corrective plans maintained by the DFM.

  3. Elevators, ramps, signage, restrooms, and classrooms must meet state and federal accessibility codes.

  4. Emergency evacuation plans include procedures for individuals with mobility or sensory impairments.

VIII. DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY

  1. Atlas University’s digital resources comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and WCAG 2.1 AAstandards.

  2. Course materials, videos, and websites must be screen-reader compatible and include captions or transcripts.

  3. The CIO oversees annual audits of all digital systems and platforms.

IX. TRAINING AND AWARENESS

  1. Annual ADA / Section 504 training for faculty, staff, and administrators.

  2. Orientation sessions for new employees and students on inclusion and accessibility awareness.

  3. Training materials publicly available via the Atlas Learning Platform.

X. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

  1. Individuals believing they have been denied reasonable accommodation or subjected to discrimination based on disability may file a written grievance with the ADA / Section 504 Coordinator.

  2. The Coordinator will acknowledge receipt within five (V) business days and conduct an impartial investigation.

  3. Findings and recommendations are issued within fifteen (XV) business days.

  4. Appeals may be submitted within ten (X) business days to the President, whose decision is final.

No individual shall be retaliated against for exercising rights under this Policy.

XI. RECORDKEEPING

The Coordinator maintains records of all accommodation requests, grievances, and resolutions for a minimum of seven (VII) years, in compliance with the Records Management Policy.

XII. ETHICAL AND SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION

Accessibility at Atlas is not compliance but compassion—an act of faith that honors the divine image in every person.
The University seeks not merely to remove barriers but to cultivate belonging, ensuring that every voice, mind, and body contributes to the glorification of God through learning.

XIII. REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

This Policy shall be reviewed annually by the ADA / Section 504 Coordinator, approved by the President, and ratified by the Board of Trustees.