Kentucky's Office for the
Americans with Disabilities Act

Governor's ADA Taskforce on Postsecondary Education 
Websites | ADA Coordinators

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinators from each of Kentucky’s postsecondary institutions have organized a group to help universities, colleges, technical colleges and community colleges offer better access to higher education to students with disabilities.

The Governor's ADA Taskforce on Postsecondary Education was organized  through the combined effort of  the Office of the State ADA Coordinator. Council of Postsecondary Education with funding provided by the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities.

“We know there is a wealth of information and experience that can be shared among the ADA Coordinators so that all postsecondary institutions can better serve students with disabilities. By coming together we can share information and best practices, look at the need for common training, discuss policy issues and implementation strategies and even share adaptive equipment that may be cost prohibitive for one institution alone,” said Norb Ryan, Kentucky's State ADA Coordinator.

The ADA bans discrimination based on disability and requires employers, businesses and state and local governments to take reasonable steps to accommodate people with disabilities. The law requires public buildings and government programs and services to be accessible. As a result, all postsecondary institutions are required to accommodate students with disabilities in areas such as educational opportunities, facilities, services, parking and transportation, and to have an ADA coordinator.

“Legally, higher education institutions have to provide accommodations for people with disabilities. The Governor's Taskforce is a voluntary organization because postsecondary institutions want to welcome people with disabilities and help them be successful participants in education. It benefits both the universities, colleges and students with disabilities when everyone has an opportunity to improve himself.”

For more information about the ADA and postsecondary institutions, see the University of Kentucky’s Engaging Differences Project Web site at http://www.uky.edu/TLC/grants/uk_ed/accessintro.html.

 Mission: The mission of the Governor's ADA Taskforce is to provide a forum for the sharing of information between ADA Coordinators at Kentucky’s institutes of higher education regarding implementation of the requirements of the Act, which pertain to higher education. This may include:

• Sharing of information regarding effective strategies used to uphold the Act

• Sharing between universities/colleges of adaptive equipment that may be cost prohibitive for one institution alone

• Identification of training needs related to postsecondary education and the ADA

• Coordination of training to meet identified needs

• Communication with the Council on Postsecondary Education, the state ADA Coordinator’s Office, Kentucky Association on Higher Education and Disability (KY-AHEAD), and others to ensure coordination of efforts.

ADAKY HOME

Updated: 04/08/2008

We welcome your feedback! Please contact us for questions or comments about this site.

                 Contact Us
Norb Ryan, Kentucky ADA Coordinator
Lisa Fort, Secretary
Teresa Caldwell, Facilities Specialist
Education Cabinet
500 Mero Street
Capital Plaza Tower, 2nd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-3850
TDD 711
Fax: 502-564-2316
Email: NorbJ.Ryan@ky.gov
           LisaK.Fort@ky.gov
           TeresaA.Caldwell@ky.gov
          

• Privacy Statement
• Disclaimer
• Individuals with Disabilities

     Kentucky Education Cabinet