Office of Compliance
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

About ADA

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The University of Wisconsin, Madison is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive campus experience for all members of the campus community. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990 (ADA) provide that

no qualified individual with a disability be denied access to or participation in services, programs, and activities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

These acts, as well as Wisconsin state law and UW System and UW-Madison policy, apply to virtually all aspects of campus activities, including employment, student programming, and services provided to the community at large.

UW-Madison has a rich history in providing access to individuals with disabilities, dating back to the arrival of WWII veterans attending campus on the GI Bill. The campus has a network of programs that address accessibility and accommodations for students, employees and visitors. To learn more about our campus’s history, view the McBurney Foundations Module #2.

Laws, Policies, Procedures, and Guidance

Resources

  • UW-Madison

    Disability Accommodation

    The McBurney Disability Resource Center is the primary campus resource to provide and coordinate accommodations for UW students with disabilities. McBurney works with students with physical, learning, hearing, vision, psychological, health and other disabilities substantially affecting a major life activity (e.g., walking, communicating, learning, seeing, breathing, reading, etc.). Many students have non-apparent disabilities such as depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, AD/HD and health impairments such as Crohn’s disease or fibromyalgia.

    Learn more about services for prospective and enrolled students with disabilities and resources for faculty and instructional staff or contact the Center at:

    Voice: (608) 263-2741, Text: (608) 225-7956, mcburney@studentlife.wisc.edu

    Students who are also UW-Madison employees (e.g. student hourly, work study, teaching assistant) can request employee accommodations through the department in which they are employed.

     

    The Office for Equity and Diversity and a network of Divisional Disability Representatives coordinate and arrange accommodations for employees with disabilities. Learn more about UW-Madison’s commitment to providing reasonable accommodations in the work place at:

    Barbara Lanser, (608) 263-2407, barbara.lanser@wisc.edu

    The Division of Facilities, Planning and Management addresses physical accessibility needs for the campus community. Information about accessible transportation and disabled parking, building access and accessible routes, accessibility of existing and new construction, snow removal services, the campus map and more can be found at UW-Madison Campus Accessibility Information or by contacting:

    Top Tantivivat, (608) 263-3021, top.tantivivat@wisc.edu
     
    The Division of Information Technology offers resources and training to ensure campus technology is accessible and usable by all. Visit DoIT Accessibility to learn more.

    Academic Research

    The Disability Studies Initiative is home to a number of the university’s research and teaching activities in the field of disability.

    Waisman Center is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases.

    Library

    Library Services related to research assistance, accessing print or online materials, and assistive technologies, visit the libraries’ disability and accessibility resources page.

    Recreation

    Athletics Guest Services provides a variety of services to make Game Day accessible to every Badger fan. See the Kohl Center Accessibility Guide and the Camp Randall Accessibility Guide for details.

    Department of Kinesiology offers the Adaptive Fitness and Personal Training class designed for students with permanent as well as temporary disabilities looking to improve fitness and develop a healthy or healthier lifestyle.

    Hoofers Accessible Sailing Club offers sailing instruction that stresses safety and fun and can be modified in numerous ways to fit individual needs.

    Rec Sports offers Badgers Adapt, an event that gives athletes of all abilities an opportunity to participate in adaptive and Paralympic sports, events and activities.

  • City of Madison

    Access to Independence provides resources, services, and advocacy for people with any type of disability, and of any age.

    City of Madison Commission on People with Disabilities recommends policy to the Mayor, Common Council and Department of Civil Rights in all areas that affect people with disabilities and their families.

    Disability Pride Madison is a lively community of people with various abilities, identities and beliefs, who share a passion for promoting disability pride.

    Disability Rights Wisconsin is a private non-profit organization designated by the Governor of Wisconsin to ensure the rights of all state citizens with disabilities through individual advocacy and system change.

    Family Support and Resource Center assists children and youth with disabilities in Dane County to live at home with their families as valued and participating members of the community.

  • State of Wisconsin

    Independent Living Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that provides information about resources for independent living.

    Wisconsin Department of Health Services Index of Disability Programs

  • National

    ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to support the mission of the ADA to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.”

    Association on Higher Education and Disability is a professional membership organization for individuals involved in the development of policy and in the provision of quality services to meet the needs of persons with disabilities involved in all areas of higher education.

    Disability.gov provides information, materials, technical assistance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

    Great Lakes ADA Center is a member of the ADA National Network funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a division of the US Department of Education. The Center provides information, materials, technical assistance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

    HEATH Resource Center at the National Youth Transitions Center is a national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.

    The Office for Civil Rights to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.

athletes in wheelchairs play indoor volleyball