Program Description
Colleges and universities have
announced their reopening plans for the fall. Whether institutions
plan to resume in-person instruction, offer only online instruction, or hybrid
models combining the two, they will have to determine how best to accommodate
faculty, staff, and students who request accommodations under federal and other
disability laws. While many institutions have well-established policies
and procedures for such requests, the coronavirus has introduced a number of
novel issues with which they will have to grapple as they strive to maintain
accessible, healthy learning environments where members of the campus community
feel safe.
For example,
faculty members may request accommodations to virtually teach due to a fear of
contracting coronavirus—but does this type of anxiety qualify as a “disability”
under the ADA? Does the analysis change if the faculty member is 60 years
or older and/or has an underlying condition that could lead to an increased
risk of severe illness from the disease? Similarly, students who fear
contracting the virus may request single room housing accommodations or
modifications to clinical training programs traditionally performed
in-person. In addition to these types of requests, institutions offering
some or much of their instruction online will need to ensure that students
maintain equal access in an online learning environment. Moreover, how
will colleges and universities handle accommodation requests which might
conflict with recommended public health guidelines (e.g., requests to not wear
masks or other personal protective equipment)?
This two-hour
webinar will focus on how institutions of higher education can best assess and
address the likely types of COVID-19 related disability accommodation requests
they will receive this fall upon a return to instruction. The webinar
presenters will examine relevant legal principles and offer practical solutions
for campuses as they work to provide accessible and safe learning and working
environments when they reopen.
Who Should
Attend?
This
webinar will be of interest to attorneys who advise institutions on
COVID-19-related issues and counsel or other administrators involved in coronavirus
or return-to-instruction task forces or committees as well as attorneys who
advise colleges and universities on accessibility and disability related issues
and administrators or other personnel involved in accessibility and disability
services.