NCTA Events ADA Accommodations Policy

Reasonable Accommodation and Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

I. The National College Testing Association (NCTA) is committed to maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for all of its events. Ensuring that all qualified members and event participants have access to NCTA events is critical to our mission and is among our highest priorities. As a part of this commitment, it is the policy of NCTA to comply fully with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (the ADA), and all applicable federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. 

II. PURPOSE OF POLICY To ensure non-discrimination against persons with disabilities who participate in NCTA events and to provide appropriate roles and responsibilities to comply with federal law regarding disability accommodation. 

III. DEFINITION OF TERMS 

A. Reasonable Accommodation–For the purpose of this policy, a reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a course, program, service, activity, position, or facility that enables a qualified university member with a disability to have an equal opportunity. An equal opportunity means an opportunity to enjoy equal benefits and privileges as are available to a similarly situated NCTA event participant without a disability. NCTA has an obligation to make reasonable accommodations in policies, practices or procedures when accommodations are needed to prevent discrimination based on a disability, unless making the accommodations would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or activity, or facility.

B. Disability (as defined by the ADA) – For the purpose of this policy, the term disability means, with respect to an individual a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; b) a history or record of such an impairment; or c) regarded as having such an impairment.

C. Qualified Individual–The term “qualified individual” means an individual who, with or without reasonable modifications and accommodations, meets the essential requirements for event program or activities offered by NCTA. 

D. Undue Hardship (as defined by the ADA)

1. In general, the term “undue hardship” means an action requiring significant difficulty or expense, when considered in light of the factors set forth in subparagraph 2. 

2. In determining whether an accommodation would impose an undue hardship on NCTA, factors to be considered include: 

1. the nature and cost of the accommodation needed; 

2. the overall financial resources of the facility or facilities involved in the provision of the reasonable accommodation; the number of persons employed at such facility; the effect on the expenses and resources, or the impact otherwise of such accommodation upon the operation of the facility; 

3. the overall financial resources of NCTA; the overall size of NCTA with respect to its number of attendees; the number, type, and location of NCTA’s facilities; and, 

4. the type of operation or operations of NCTA, including the composition, structure, and functions of the events of NCTA; the geographic separateness, administrative, or fiscal relationship of the facility or facilities in question.

IV. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS 

A. Any person requesting special accommodations to participate in a NCTA-sponsored event must advise NCTA in writing of the request at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the event for which accommodations are being requested by sending an email with the subject line “Request for Accommodation” to [email protected] that also includes name of the requestor, the date and name of the NCTA event, identification of the person’s disability and a reasonably specific description of the accommodations requested.

B. To ensure nondiscrimination against individuals with disabilities participating in NCTA events, the following statement regarding accommodations must be included on publications or marketing materials such as posters, flyers, brochures, and announcements about each such NCTA event: "Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend NCTA events. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please send an email with the subject line “Request for Accommodation” to [email protected] and include your name, the date and name of the NCTA event, identification of your disability and a reasonably specific description of the accommodations requested. 

V. Approval process

A. The NCTA event team, which includes the NCTA Executive Council + NCTA’s event planner(s) will, in consultation with the management of any venue where the event will take place, determine if the accommodation request is reasonable as set forth in section III. The designated accommodation contact will contact the requester to inform them whether their request is approved or denied and discuss any necessary details. The purpose of providing reasonable accommodations is to ensure full participation, afford access and remove barriers to meaningful participation in the event for individuals with disabilities.