ADA Compliance

ADA Compliance Resources

The Office of Equal Opportunity coordinates enterprise compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.

Nondiscrimination Notice

It is University of Rhode Island policy to ensure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or disability in accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, sections 504 and 508, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its services, programs, or activities. Any person who believes their rights under these laws have been violated may file a complaint with the University of Rhode Island Office of Equal Opportunity.

Disability rights are civil rights. To report a violation of unlawful discrimination or harassment, including a disability rights violation, contact a member of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Contact Information

Dorca P. Smalley, Director
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Phone: 401-874-4929
TTY via R.I. Relay: 711
Email: dorca_paulino@uri.edu

Michael R. Bensink, Assistant Director
Institutional ADA Liaison
Phone: 401-874-2316
TTY via R.I. Relay: 711
Email: michael.bensink@uri.edu

Function of the Office of Equal Opportunity

The Office of Equal Opportunity is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination and harassment on the basis of disability and other protected categories, in employment and service delivery. Students, faculty, and staff interested in filing a complaint may review the Policy on Nondiscrimination and the Procedures for Policy on Nondiscrimination.

ADA Compliance at the University of Rhode Island

Roles and Responsibilities

URI is required to designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title II. URI has designated the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity as the ADA/504 Coordinator.

ADA/504 Coordinator, Dorca P. Smalley
Office of Equal Opportunity
201 Carlotti Administration Building
75 Lower College Rd
Kingston, RI 02881
Email: dorca_paulino@uri.edu
Phone: 401-874-4929
TTY via R.I. Relay 711

Responsibilities and Authority of the ADA Coordinator

The ADA/504 Coordinator’s responsibilities include assuring compliance with the ADA, Section 503 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended, and other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities. To assure compliance, the ADA/504 Coordinator ensures appropriate processes are in place to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints and inquiries from URI employees and students, as well as the public, regarding compliance with the ADA and other applicable federal and state laws regarding discrimination based on disability.  This process includes investigating allegations of discrimination and non-compliance under the ADA and other applicable federal and state laws regarding discrimination based on disability.  The ADA/504 Coordinator also maintains a record of all disability and accommodation issues and the resolution of each; maintains current information regarding state and federal laws and regulations concerning the rights of persons with disabilities and ways of providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities while maintaining program performance standards; maintains current information regarding state and federal laws and regulations relating to the University’s employment policies and procedures for faculty, staff, and academic professional employees with disabilities.

ADA Partners at the University of Rhode Island

The Office of Equal Opportunity works with the individuals below to promote accessibility inclusivity in service delivery and employment:

  • Community, Equity and Diversity: Reporting to the President, the Office of Community, Equity and Diversity, is tasked with promulgating University-wide diversity initiatives that directly align with the University’s transformational goals and academic strategic plan. As a member of the President’s Leadership Council, the Vice President of Community, Equity and Diversity is responsible for promoting critical consciousness, cultural humility, and compassion, for a socially just and equitable campus community. To contact the Division of Community, Equity and Diversity, email uriced@etal.uri.edu or call (401) 874-7077.
  • Employment Accommodations: Laura Kenerson, Director of Personnel Services, is the designated Section 501 and Section 503 Coordinator, responsible for approving and monitoring reasonable accommodation requests made by University personnel and applicants. Requests for work accommodation are made in writing to the Director of Personnel Services, who is a member of the Office of Human Resource Administration and consults with appropriate officials to consider the request. Once an accommodation is made for an employee, its effectiveness is periodically monitored by both the employee and the Office of Human Resource Administration. If, at some point, the accommodation ceases to be effective in enabling the person to perform the job or is no longer deemed to be necessary (upon medical documentation), alternative accommodation is sought if appropriate. To contact the Director of Personnel Services by email at kenerson@uri.edu or call (401) 874-5271. Follow this link for more information: https://web.uri.edu/hr/personnel-policies/3-30-reasonable-accommodation-for-employees/
  • Lauren Jensen, Esq., Associate General Counsel, is the designated Office of General Counsel liaison for any questions relating to compliance with the ADA, Section 504, and any other state and federal laws that provide protections for individuals with disabilities. The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the University and is responsible for the coordination and management of all legal issues affecting the University. She can be contacted by email at ljensen@uri.edu or call (401) 874-4491.
  • Paige Ramsdell, Assistant Dean, Disability, Access, and Inclusion, promotes compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by accepting, reviewing, and approving reasonable accommodation requests made by students. For more information regarding the student reasonable accommodation process, email dai@uri.edu, or call (401) 874-5694, or visit DAI’s website: https://web.uri.edu/disability/how-accommodations-work/.
  • Brandon J. C. Fuller, Manager of Web Communications, is responsible for promoting website accessibility.  For questions regarding website accessibility resources at the University, email bjcfuller@uri.edu or call (401) 874-2258. Follow this link to keep up to date with website accessibility efforts: https://www.uri.edu/wordpress/accessibility/.
  • The Facilities Group is responsible for ensuring Americans with Disabilities Act standards for accessible design are met in accordance with Title II and Title III regulations, which require that people with disabilities have access to spaces to allow equal participation in University events. To contact the Facilities Group, please visit https://web.uri.edu/facilities/work-order-request-form/to submit a work request or call (401) 874-4060. If you need to follow up on the status of a work order previously submitted, email dorca_paulino@uri.edu. The ADA Coordinator works closely with the Facilities Group to monitor and assess requests that require immediate attention.

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