Academic Catalog

ALTW 137: DISABILITY & THE LAW

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 3
Hours: 3 lecture per week (36 total per quarter)
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in ALTW 216.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Formerly: ALTW 216

Student Learning Outcomes

  • A successful student will be able to understand the importance of the Americans with Disability Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other laws related to people with disabilities
  • A successful student will be able to demonstrate practical personal accommodation plan to be used in work and school setting
  • A successful student will be able to understand disability, civil, and their basic citizens' rights and responsibilities
  • A successful student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of their personal disability and of people with disabilities

Description

This course explores the legal rights of individuals with disabilities, with a focus on how these laws impact education, employment, and everyday life. Students will examine key legislation - including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - and learn how to advocate for accommodations and access. The course also introduces the history of the disability rights movement, offering context for current legal protections and ongoing challenges. Designed with neurodivergent learners in mind, the course empowers students to understand their rights and responsibilities within the legal system and beyond. This course is part of the Tools for Transition & Work cohort-based program for neurodivergent learners pursuing independent success in college, career, and adult life.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Discuss basic citizens' rights and responsibilities
  2. Contrast the rights of the disabled, historically and in the present
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of related laws that pertain to people with disabilities, IDEA
  6. Define and understand reasonable accommodation
  7. Develop a personalized accommodation plan to be used in an employment and school settings

Course Content

  1. Basic citizens' rights and responsibilities
  2. Civil Rights for people with disabilities
    1. Disability awareness past and present
  3. Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    1. History
    2. The law
  4. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
    1. History
    2. The law
  5. Reasonable accommodations/employment issues
    1. Definition
    2. Accommodation options
    3. Online resources
    4. Development of personal accommodation plan for academic and employment settings
      1. Facilities/equipment
      2. Job restructuring/work schedule
      3. Changing test and training materials
      4. Reader/interpreter
      5. Employer provided transportation/parking
      6. Personal assistance
      7. Employer responsibilities
  6. Community resources
    1. Non-profit organizations
  7. State resources
    1. State agencies/departments
  8. Federal agencies and resources

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Accessible classroom.
2. When taught online/virtual: students and faculty need internet access with Zoom-capable computer, monitor, and speakers.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Class participation
Homework
Assignments and projects
Personal accommodation plan
Essays
Midterm and final exam or project

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Oral presentations
Demonstration
Guest speakers
Field trips

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

No materials are required for this course.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Reading assignments:
    1. Student reads about different types of disabilities.
    2. Student reads about accommodations and develops an accommodation plan for work site setting.
  2. Writing assignments:
    1. Student writes a report about a disability that they have selected.
    2. Personalized accommodation plan for school and work setting.
  3. Student presents an oral report on a disability (their own or another).

Discipline(s)

Developmental Disabilities: Disabled Students Programs and Services