Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
A:The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. The current text of the ADA includes changes made by the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 (P.L. 110-325), which became effective on January 1, 2009. The ADA was originally enacted in public law format and later rearranged and published in the United States Code.
Q:What is a disability and who is a “qualified individual with a disability”?
A: An individual with a disability is defined as any person who “has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (including walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself, or performing manual tasks), has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.” A qualified individual with a disability is a person who meets legitimate skill, experience, education, or other requirements of an employment position and/or program that they hold and/or seek, and who can perform the "essential functions" of the position/program with or without reasonable accommodation/s.
Q: What is "reasonable accommodation?"
A: Reasonable accommodation/s are a modification or an adjustment to a job, work, school or program environment that will enable a qualified individual with a disability to participate in the program or process or perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations also include adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has rights and privileges equal to those of nondisabled individuals.
Q: I am a UTSA student with a disability, how do I qualify for services?
A: To be eligible for services you must register with the Student Disability Services office by providing appropriate, written documentation from a qualified professional on the nature of the disability. Documentation information should include diagnostic information, functional limitations of the disability and medications, and information on how the disability affects you in an academic setting. Contact Student Disability Services for more detailed information.
Q: Where is the Student Disability Services (SDS) located?
A: Student Disability Services (SDS) is located on the Main campus on the third floor of the Multidisciplinary Building in room 3.01.16. Upon entering the SDS suite, you will be greeted by staff at the reception desk that will be happy to help you.
Q: I am visiting the UTSA campus, where should I go?
A: Whether you are visiting the Main or Downtown Campus, UTSA’s Welcome Center offers group and individual tours. If you need an accommodation during your visit, please contact the Welcome Center at 210.458.5145 or email them at welcome.center@utsa.edu for assistance.
Q: I am a UTSA employee and/or applicant with a disability, how do I get an accommodation in the workplace or application process?
A: It is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to provide equal access and opportunity to job applicants and otherwise qualified persons with disabilities in compliance with Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all aspects of the application process and the employment relationship. Applicants, Employees and Supervisors can obtain information concerning accommodation in the application process by contacting the hiring department and/or the ADA Specialist in PeopleExcellence by email at benefits@utsa.edu.
Q: I am a disabled veteran, where can I park?
A: Disabled veterans, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, former Prisoner of War, Pearl Harbor Survivors, and Purple Heart Recipients whose vehicle displays the special license plates issued by the Texas Department of Transportation are exempt from the payment of fees at paid short-term surface parking when the vehicle is being operated by or for the transportation of the above referenced individual. To facilitate administration of this parking privilege, the Parking Division of Campus Services requests, but does not require, that eligible individual register with their office. In addition, UTSA also provides these individuals an exemption from the payment of fees for any University surface parking permit for which they are otherwise eligible. For more information regarding Disabled Veteran Parking and ADA Parking, please contact the Campus Services ADA and Disabled Veteran Parking website.
