Signed into law by George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides legal protections for individuals living with disabilities. In 2008, the ADA was amended to broaden the definition of disability to expand protections for those covered under this law. On Georgia Tech’s campus, the Office of Disability Services (ODS) engages with the ADA office for guidance, collaboration, and resolution regarding accessibility concerns for the Tech community. 

On July 26, 2024, we celebrate 34 years of expanding access and accommodations for the more than one in four U.S. adults living with disabilities (CDC). At the postsecondary level, roughly 21% of college students reported a disability in 2020, totaling 3.5 million students (Government Accountability Office-24-105614). According to the same report, 69% of students report a behavioral or emotional disability, followed by 7% sensory, 6% physical, 5% developmental, and 14% in the 'other' category. It is important to note that there is some debate about the type of language used, person first (e.g., students with disabilities) versus identity first (e.g., disabled students). The best practice is to get to know the individual or group you're speaking to or writing about and use the language they prefer. 

The Office of Disability Services currently serves nearly 2900 students at Georgia Tech (July 2024). If you believe you qualify for disability accommodations, please reach out to learn more about our registration process by exploring this website or emailing dsinfo@gatech.edu.