Requirements for Public Accommodations, Examinations and Courses | Go Back

 

Americans with Disabilities Act - Title III

Requirements for Public Accommodations, Examinations and Courses

 

Examinations and Courses

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires places of public accommodation that offer examinations or courses related to applications, licensing, certification, or credentialing for secondary or postsecondary education, professional, or trade purposes, to offer such examinations or courses to persons with disabilities in an accessible place and manner or offer alternative accessible arrangements for such individuals.

Modifications

Title III may require modifications to examinations or courses such as changes in the length of time permitted for the completion of the examination or course, substitution of specific requirements of a course, or an adaptation in the manner of administering an examination or conducting a course.

Auxiliary Aids and Services

Title III requires public accommodations that offer examinations or courses to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for persons with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills, unless the entity can demonstrate that offering a particular aid or service would fundamentally alter the course or examination, would result in an undue burden, or, in the case of an examination, would fundamentally alter the measurement of the skills or knowledge the examination is intended to test.

Examples of auxiliary aids and services include taped texts, interpreters or other effective methods of making orally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments, Braille or large print texts or qualified readers for individuals with visual impairments and learning disabilities, adapted classroom equipment or transcribers for use by individuals with manual impairments, and other similar services and actions.

Advanced Notice

Title III allows public accommodations to require advance notice of requests for modifications or auxiliary aids or services, provided that advance notice requirements are not unreasonable and that deadlines for notice is no earlier than the deadline for others applying to take the examination or course.

Title III allows public accommodations to require evidence that an applicant is entitled to modifications or auxiliary aids or services. Requests must be reasonable and must be limited to the need for the modification or aid or service requested. Appropriate documentation may include a letter from a physician or other professional, or evidence of a prior diagnosis or accommodation.

Accessible Facilities

Title III requires public accommodations to offer examinations and courses in accessible facilities, otherwise, the entity must make alternative accessible arrangements.

ADA Information

Call the DOJ Toll-Free ADA Information Line for answers to general and technical questions about the ADA and to order technical assistance materials: 800-514-0301 (voice) 800-514-0383 (TTY). Visit the DOJ ADA web site to see the Title III regulations and related guidance at ada.gov .