Fundamental Alteration Process
Under the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008, “A public entity must reasonably modify its policies, 实践, or procedures to avoid discrimination. If the public entity can demonstrate, 然而, that the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of its service, 程序, 或活动, it is not required to make the modification” (ADA Title II Technical Assistance Manual).
残疾人访问和资源中心(CDAR)批准的住宿必须保持到位，直到委员会做出最终决定，如果住宿被拒绝或修改.
概述
Through various Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights case resolutions, the federal government has clarified that colleges and universities must:
- Engage in an individualized, 与每个学生的住宿要求进行互动，避免关于住宿的一揽子声明或政策(OCR没有. 10-16-2203)
- 不得将学生安排在要求住宿的地方超过一次，也不得让学生与教师协商住宿(OCR没有. 01-16-2113)
- 决定住宿是否会从根本上改变课程/项目的基本目标，由学院内一组知识渊博、训练有素的人员和残疾服务办公室(OCR没有. 01-16-2120; 03-14-2248)
- Ensure the group pursues a thoughtful, 小心, rational review of the course/程序 essential objectives and requirements (OCR没有. 01-16-2120)
- 考虑一系列的替代方案和修改，即使它不是最初要求的住宿，也不会从根本上改变课程/项目(OCR没有. 01-16-2120).
被批准的住宿是否会从根本上改变课程或项目的基本要求，通常需要根据具体情况确定. 目标是将一般期望和已经完成的工作与课程或项目的真正基本目标和组成部分区分开来. 可以检查教学和评估方法，以确定如何教授信息，以及有哪些可供教授和学习信息的替代机会, the format of materials, 技能, 等. 根据课程的性质及其要求，实现结果的灵活性可能是适当的.
Defining Essential Requirements
Essential requirements are the core learning outcomes (such as 技能, 知识, or licensure requirements) all students must demonstrate, with or without accommodations, 哪些是与学术项目或学位相关的更大的相互关联的课程的一部分.
Establishing Essential Requirements of the Course
- 清晰地表达并公开记录课程/项目的总体目的.
- 确定需要掌握的特定技能、知识、原则和概念.
- Convey the framework used to set academic and 程序 standards.
- 确保在确定所要求的住宿是否会是根本性的改变时进行公平的审议.
公平审查程序
To ensure a fair review process CDAR will:
- Ensure a multidisciplinary committee of people are appropriately trained, 知识able and experienced in the area for which an analysis will take place;
- Thoroughly considering a series of alternatives as essential requirements;
- 对学术项目及其要求进行仔细、周到和理性的评估;
- 确保决策者考虑到基本需求的一系列替代方案, 以及有关的基本要求是否可以针对特定的残疾学生进行修改.
确定住宿是否从根本上改变课程或项目的基本要求应采取的步骤:
- 联系 Director of CDAR to Discuss Concerns —CDAR is to be contacted 如果相信住宿将从根本上改变课程或项目的基本要求，则启动互动过程.
- Determine Essential Components of Courses or Programs — Instructor must complete the Determining Essential Requirements and Fundamental Alterations Form 将通过电子邮件提交给基本变更委员会给CDAR主任.
- Director Will Convene a Committee —CDAR may involve campus partners as needed, faculty members within an academic 程序/course, the Chair of the academic 部门, OCRI和其他知识渊博、训练有素的行政人员被认为在确定请求的合理性方面是适当的, fundamental requirements of the course or 程序, or possible alternatives to accommodate the student.
- Director Will Notify Student that the Accommodation Is Under Review.
- Determine If the Accommodation Is a Fundamental Alteration -一旦导师在提交的材料中明确定义了基本要素 Determining Essential Requirements and Fundamental Alterations Form 委员会将开会评估所提供的资料，并确定此项迁就是否为一项有意义的根本性改变, 通知, interactive and collaborative process that is case-by-case and fact specific.
- Final Step – Notify Student —After deliberation, CDAR主任将参与该过程的知识渊博的学院专业人员小组的最终决定通知学生. If the accommodation is denied or modified, 主任将提供一份书面解释，说明拒签或修改的原因，以及学生对该决定作出回应的机会.
What Responsibilities Does the Committee Have?
- 如果存在一个合理的基础来相信存在一个合法的根本改变问题, the committee will verify that the instructor, 部门, 和/或项目已经明确了课程和/或项目的基本要求，并向学生提供了足够的通知.
- 委员会将由客观的人组成，他们对学术领域有共同的了解, any related licensing requirements, any applicable accreditation for the course of study, the student’s disability, and accommodation methods. 委员会不会仅限于提供课程或项目的部门的个人.
- The committee will identify the objective of the requirement, taking into consideration the information provided by the instructor, 程序 or 部门 concerning essential requirements, including curriculum approval or course creation documents. 委员会将确保这一要求不只是基于传统或常规做法，而与基本要求没有直接联系.
- 委员会将考虑这一要求是否与其他教育机构的类似项目一致, and with relevant national and expert guidelines; and whether there is any unique justification for a requirement that is not generally adopted by other educational institutions.
- 委员会将对该学生的残疾情况保密.
- Provide a timely resolution to the determination of fundamental alteration.