Know your rights

• Introduction to disability rights
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• The Americans with Disabilities Act
• Montana human rights laws
• Non-Discrimination Policy

Pursuant to both federal and Montana law, the University does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's physical or mental disability. The United States Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to combat discrimination based on disability. In Montana, the Montana Human Rights Act serves the same purpose. Disability discrimination is the denial of privileges or benefits of education or employment, or the denial of the opportunity to participate in university activities, because of an individual's actual disability, because of that individual's record of having a disability, or because that individual is regarded as having a disability.

The University will make reasonable accommodations or program modifications as appropriate to remove any barriers that may exist for an individual with a disability. However, the University is not required to provide accommodations that would result in an undue hardship to the University. An undue hardship is "an action requiring significant difficulty or expense."

It is the disabled individual's responsibility to begin the reasonable accommodation discussion, and the University's responsibility to engage in a good-faith interaction with the individual, so that both parties can cooperate to develop a reasonable accommodation.

Students:

Disability Services for Students 
Lommasson Center Room 154
Phone: (406) 243-2243
Email: dss@umontana.edu
Web: www.umt.edu/disability

Employees: 

Human Resource Services 
Lommasson Center Room 252 
Phone: (406) 243-5707
E-mail: sara.drake@umontana.edu
Web: www.umt.edu/hrs

Individuals who have a concern about access for individuals with disabilities at the University may contact the ADA/504 Team.

UM Policy

The University of Montana is committed to providing an environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community. The University's discrimination policy prevents harassment and discrimination based upon membership in a protected class. Such an environment is necessary to a healthy learning, working, and living atmosphere because discrimination and harassment undermine human dignity and the positive connection among all people at our University.

Consistent with state and federal law, reasonable accommodation will be provided to persons with disabilities.

Resolution Agreement

In March 2014, the University signed an agreement with the Office for Civil Rights confirming our commitment to ensure that the technology we use on campus is accessible to all students. We have worked closely with national experts at the National Federation of the Blind as well as the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and with international expert (and Missoula resident) George Kerscher on accessibility.

The agreement outlines a series of steps the University will take—and many we've already taken—to ensure that students with disabilities have full access to the range of electronic and information technology that is such an important part of learning today.

A number of offices have worked collaboratively across campus to provide effective access and to offer more resources for students, faculty and staff. That effort includes the Alliance for Disability and Students at UM, our IT experts in both Central IT and Student Affairs, the Mansfield Library, Disability Services for Students, UMOnline with the School of Extended and Lifelong Learning, and more.