The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law, passed in 1990, designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities from discrimination based on their disability.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law, passed in 1973, designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
Student Responsibility
To benefit from the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, it is the student’s responsibility to self-disclose a disability to the Center for Disability Services and request an accommodation. Kaplan University requires the student to provide supporting documentation, which must verify the existence of the disability and the subsequent need for an accommodation.
University Responsibility
Kaplan University may not discriminate against an individual on the basis of his or her disability. Kaplan University will provide reasonable required accommodations to a student with a documented disability, in order to afford the student an equal opportunity to participate within its online programs, activities, and facilities.
Confidentiality
Kaplan University has an obligation to maintain confidentiality regarding a student's disability. Any information collected is strictly utilized for the benefit of the student. Disability-related information is collected and maintained separately from the student's University record and housed within secure files with access limited to staff members of the Center for Disability Services (CDS). Student files within the CDS are maintained for a period of 5 years after a student's last date of attendance. After 5 years of nonattendance, a student’s disability records will be destroyed in a confidential manner.
If a student has requested and is approved to receive reasonable accommodations, the student will be informed as to what information is being provided to the faculty or staff regarding the request.
Except where permitted by applicable law, disability information will not be shared with non-Kaplan University employees without the student's express written permission.
Eligibility
Many students who may have required accommodations at fixed-facility schools find that Kaplan University’s flexible format and online curriculum allow them to study without special arrangements. However, if a student determines the need for an accommodation, the student must submit an Accommodation Request Form and supporting documentation to Kaplan University’s Center for Disability Services (CDS).
To be eligible for an accommodation, the student must have:
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A disability, as defined by the ADA, that substantially limits a major life activity and subsequently necessitates a reasonable accommodation,
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Documentation on file with Kaplan University that supports the need for the requested accommodation, and
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Medical documentation to substantiate the disability and how the accommodation will assist the student.
Verification of Disability
Kaplan University cannot provide an accommodation until the student’s disability has been verified by a qualified medical professional or other appropriate health care professional.
A student with a learning disability must submit recent comprehensive evaluation results including cognitive and achievement test scores.
The Center for Disability Services (CDS) will be responsible for notifying the student’s instructors of the specific accommodation approved by the University.
How to Request an Accommodation
The Center for Disability Services (CDS) at Kaplan University is the primary office responsible for the coordination of services for students with disabilities.
Students with disabilities are responsible for requesting an accommodation. Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Kaplan University will provide reasonable accommodations for students who have met the eligibility and verification requirements of the CDS.
If you are a student with a disability seeking an accommodation, you may submit a request in one of two ways:
Contact your Academic Advisor at 866.522.7747 (Toll Free) who will, in turn, request that the CDS contact you directly via email.
Contact the CDS directly by telephone, email, or fax.
The Center for Disability Services (CDS)
Tel: 954.512.5383
Email: cds@kaplan.edu
Fax: 866.422.4773 (Toll Free)
TTY: 866.572.6026 (Toll Free)
Requests for an accommodation will be reviewed on an individual, case-by-case basis.
Kaplan University’s Policy of Nondiscrimination
The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, nondisqualifying disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or veteran status in the recruitment of students or in the implementation of its policies, procedures, and activities. Sexual harassment is a prohibited aspect of sexual discrimination under this policy.
The University's policies and practices are in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The University has appointed compliance coordinators to assist those who have questions or concerns with respect to the University’s compliance with these laws. The name, address, and telephone number of these staff members are available through the University.
The University has designated the following person as the Director of the Center for Disability Services:
Justin O’Sullivan
6301 Kaplan University Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel: 954.512.6343
Email: josullivan@kaplan.edu
The University has designated the following person to resolve complaints of age or gender discrimination:
Abby
Mills
Director
of Student Relations
6301 Kaplan University Avenue
Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel: 954.515.4415
Email: studentrelations@kaplan.edu
The Center for Disability Services is the primary office responsible for the coordination of services for students with disabilities. Students seeking reasonable and appropriate accommodations may request, through their Academic Advisor, to be placed in contact with the Center for Disability Services, or students may contact the Center for Disability Services directly.
To view the complete Policy of Nondiscrimination, please see the University Catalog [PDF 7.05MB].
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students and their parents certain rights with respect to their education records, including the right to inspect and review education records, the right to consent to disclosures of information in education records, and the right to request the amendment of education records believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or a violation of privacy.
Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
To review additional information on FERPA, please see the University Catalog [PDF 7.05MB].
Federal law prohibits discrimination on the bases of age, race, color, national origin, sex, and disability in programs receiving federal financial assistance. Kaplan University encourages students to bring all complaints or grievances regarding such discrimination to its attention.
1. A discrimination grievance is any complaint regarding discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, including sexual harassment, or disability by Kaplan University or any Kaplan University employee, student, or other third party. A complainant may present a grievance through the following discrimination grievance procedures. Kaplan University will investigate all complaints or grievances fully and promptly.
2. The complainant should first bring the grievance to the attention of
the Discrimination Grievance Coordinator, whose name and contact
information appears below, as soon as possible following the
occurrence of the alleged discrimination.
Abby Mills
Director of Student Relations
6301 Kaplan University Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel: 954.515.4415
Email: studentrelations@kaplan.edu
The grievance must be in writing and contain the following information:
a. Name and address of the complainant;
b. Description of and date of alleged violation;
c. Names of persons responsible for the alleged violation (if known);
d. Requested relief or corrective action, if applicable; and
e. Any background information the complainant believes to be
relevant.
3. Upon the filing of a grievance, Kaplan University will conduct an
investigation, to include taking statements from the complainant and
witnesses, if applicable.
4. Within a reasonable time, following receipt of the grievance, Kaplan
University will complete its investigation and provide notice to the
complainant and all alleged responsible parties of the outcome of the
investigation and the basis for its decision.
5. If Kaplan University determines that discrimination has occurred, it
will take all appropriate steps to prevent the recurrence of the discrimination and to correct the effects on the complainant and
others, if appropriate.
6. The complainant may also contact the U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights at Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, by telephone at 800.421.3481, fax 202.453.6012, or TDD 877.521.2172. A complainant may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights at any time before, during, or after the grievance process. The complainant does not have to complete the Kaplan University grievance process before contacting the Office for Civil Rights.