Promoting Accessibility: Understanding the Function of the Office of Equal Opportunity

Accessibility controls

Pause motion

Motion: On

Play motion

Motion: Off

Increase text contrast

Contrast: Standard

Reset text contrast

Contrast: High

Apply site-wide

The Office of Equal Opportunity coordinates enterprise compliance with…

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

29 USC § 793; 29 USC § 794; 29 CFR Parts 1614, 1615, 1620, 1621, 1625, 1626, 1630, 1635

read about the rehabilitation act

The Americans with Disabilities Act

42 USC §12101 et seq.

read about the americans with disabilities act

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability

28 CFR Parts 35 and 36

file a complaint of discrimination at the university of rhode island

Enterprise Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act at the University of Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island is required to designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The University has designated the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity as the ADA/504 Coordinator.

Responsibility and Authority of the ADA/504 Coordinator

Read about the role of the ada/504 coordinator

Responsibility and Authority of the Office of Equal Opportunity

Read about the responsibility and authority of the office of equal opportunity

ADA/504 Coordinator Contact Information

Dorca P. Smalley, ADA/504 Coordinator
Director, Office of Equal Opportunity
Carlotti Administration Building
Suite 1, Garden Level
75 Lower College Road
Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
Email: dorca_paulino@uri.edu
Phone: 401-874-4929
For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

ADA Partners

The Office of Equal Opportunity works with the offices and ADA partners listed below, which help ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities can participate in, and benefit from, equal opportunity in employment and service delivery.

The ADA Partners receive requests for assistance related to their respective areas of compliance, facilitate requests, and, in some cases, have the authority to deny and approve requests.

Office of Admission

Prospective students requesting accommodations.

contact the office of admission

Disability, Access, and Inclusion

Students requesting accommodations.

Contact disability, access, and inclusion

Office of Human Resources

Employees requesting accommodations.

contact the office of human resources

ADA Liaisons

The ADA Liaisons listed below are not Deciding Officials, but support the administration ADA compliance efforts at the University of Rhode Island.

Communications and Marketing

Responsible for digital strategy.

Read about website accessibility

Office of the Provost

Responsible for educating faculty regarding accessible learning materials, systems, and resources.

accessible learning and faculty resources

Transportation and Parking

Responsible for monitoring access to ADA parking.

accessing public ada parking

The Facilities Group

Responsible for accessible design and structural barriers.

reporting structural barriers and accessible design concerns

University Policies

Responsible for ensuring policies and procedures are accessible to all.

requesting a policy or procedure in an alternative format

The Thomas M. Ryan Center

Responsible for coordinating the response to requests made to the Thomas M. Ryan Center.

Accessbility and Ryan center events

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment on the Basis of Disability

Disability rights are civil rights. To report a violation of unlawful discrimination or harassment, including a disability rights violation, visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Discrimination page or file a complaint using the Civil Rights Complaint Form.

ADA Compliance Resources

These resources found below provide guidance to help all members of our community support ADA compliance efforts and implement best practices when planning events on behalf of the University.

If you require assistance or have questions regarding the ADA compliance resources below, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity. We are here to support you in advancing accessibility for all members of our community.

University of Rhode Island Event Planning Accessibility Toolkit

This toolkit provides general guidance regarding accessible elements to consider when planning virtual, in-person, small, and large-scale events.

learn more about planning accessible events at the university of rhode island

Promoting Meaningful Language Access

This website provides resources introduced to promote meaningful language access in alignment with the U.S. Department of Justice Guidance.

Learn more about Language Access at the University of Rhode Island

Adverse Weather Accessibility Guidelines

The Policy on Adverse Weather and Other Emergencies, and the Adverse Weather Accessibility Guidelines describe the order of operations relating to the response to adverse weather events and other emergencies.

learn more about the university’s response to adverse weather events and other emergencies

Achieving full participation and integration of people with disabilities is the responsibility of all of the University’s departments, offices, and personnel.

Requesting Accommodations

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation to access these materials in an alternative format may email equalopportunity@uri.edu or call 401-874-4009. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.