Academic Catalog

ALTW 216: DISABILITY & THE LAW

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 3
Hours: 3 lecture per week (36 total per quarter)
Degree & Credit Status: Non-Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Basic Skills
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

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

Description

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the rights and responsibilities of citizens, with a focus on the specific legal protections and requirements for individuals with disabilities. Students will learn about major disability legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The course aims to empower students by developing their understanding of legal frameworks that support their rights and by teaching them how to advocate for reasonable accommodations in both educational and employment settings.

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