Document: 442 U.S. 397 99 S.Ct. 2361 60 L.Ed.2d 980 SOUTHEASTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Petitioner,v.Frances B. DAVIS. No. 78-711. Argued April 23, 1979. Decided June 11, Syllabus Respondent, who suffers from a serious hearing disability and seeks to be trained as registered nurse, was denied admission the nursing program of petitioner Southeastern Community College, state institution that receives federal funds. An audiologist's report indicated even with aid respondent cannot understand speech directed her except through lipreading, rejected respondent's application for because it believed made impossible participate safely in normal clinical training or care patients. Respondent then filed suit against Federal District Court, alleging, inter alia, violation § 504 Rehabilitation Act 1973, which prohibits discrimination an "otherwise qualified handicapped individual" federally funded programs "solely by reason his handicap." The Court entered judgment favor petitioner, confirming findings concluding handicap prevented performing both proposed profession. On this basis, court held not protected decision exclude discriminatory within meaning 504. Although disputing Court's factfindings, Appeals reversed, holding light intervening regulations Department Health, Education, Welfare (HEW), required reconsider without regard ability, determining whether qualified," must confine its inquiry "academic technical qualifications." also suggested "affirmative conduct" modify accommodate disabilities applicants. Held: There no when concluded did qualify program. Nothing language history limits freedom educational require reasonable physical qualifications Nor has there been any showing case action short substantial change petitioner's would render unreasonable imposed. Pp. 405-414. (a) terms indicate mere possession is permissible ground assuming inability function particular context, but do mean person need meet legitimate requirements order qualified." otherwise one able all program's spite handicap. HEW's reinforce, rather than contradict, conclusion. 405-407. (b) Section does compel undertake affirmative dispense effective oral communication, such giving individual supervision whenever she attends patients directly dispensing certain courses perform some tasks nurse licensed perform. record, appears unlikely could benefit HEW reasonably interpreted requiring "modifications" postsecondary persons provision "auxiliary aids" sign-language interpreters. Moreover, interpretation extensive modifications necessary include raise grave doubts about their validity. Neither language, purpose, nor reveals intent impose affirmative-action obligation on recipients funds, thus if attempted create itself, lacks authority so. 407-412. (c) line between lawful refusal extend illegal will always clear, situations may arise where existing needs disabled amounts handicapped. In case, however, unwillingness make major adjustments constitute discrimination. Uncontroverted testimony established purpose train serve profession customary ways, type far reflecting animus individuals, shared many most institutions professional service. imposes requirement upon lower effect standards person. Pp.412-413 574 F.2d 1158, reversed remanded. Eugene Gressman, Chapel Hill, N. C., petitioner. Marc P. Charmatz, Washington, D. respondent. [Amicus Curiae Information pages 399-400 intentionally omitted] Mr. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 This presents matter first impression Court: Whether handicap," forbids schools imposing programs. 2 * disability, nurse. During 1973-1974 academic year enrolled College Parallel hoped progress Southeastern's Associate Degree Nursing program, completion eligible certification course interviewed member faculty. It became apparent had difficulty understanding questions asked, acknowledged problems dependence aid. She advised consult audiologist. 3 basis examination at Duke University Medical Center, diagnosed having "bilateral, sensori-neural loss." App. 127a. A recommended, result expected detect sounds "almost well hearing." Id., 127a-128a. But improvement discriminate among sufficiently spoken speech. Her lipreading skills remain communication: "While wearing aid, aware gross occurring listening environment. However, can only responsible her, talker gets attention allows look talker." 128a. 4 next consulted Mary McRee, Executive Director North Carolina Board Nursing. report, McRee recommended admitted McRee's view, unsafe practice nurse.1 addition, those enable safe participation prevent realizing benefits program: "To adjust patient learning experiences keeping [respondent's] limitations could, fact, same denying full objectives your programs." 132a-133a. 5 After notified study requested reconsideration decision. entire staff assembled, again consulted. repeated conclusion available evidence, "has interfere caring patients." 139a. Upon further deliberation, voted deny admission. 6 United States Eastern Carolina, alleging 87 Stat. 394, amended, 29 U.S.C. 794 (1976 ed., Supp. II),2 denial equal protection due process. bench trial, Southeastern. 424 F.Supp. 1341 (1976). confirmed audiologist found: 7 "[I]n operation room intensive unit, post-natal doctors nurses wear surgical masks lip reading impossible. Additionally, Registered Nurse instantly follow physician's instructions concerning procurement various types instruments drugs physician unable get nurse's other vocal means." 1343. Accordingly, concluded: 8 "[Respondent's] actually prevents trial numerous properly. Of concern potential danger future situations." 1345. 9 Based these findings, "[o]therwise qualified, read position sought handicap, proper facilities are suitable available." F.Supp., Because functioning "sufficiently" 504.3 10 appeal, Fourth Circuit reversed. 1158 (1978). dispute misconstrued administrative promulgated while appeal pending, see 42 Fed.Reg. 22676 (1977),4 appellate "reconsider plaintiff's ability." F.2d, 1160. erred taking into account qualified" confining 1161. part applicants, "even become expensive." 1162. 11 importance issue covered 504, we granted certiorari. 439 1065, 830, 59 30 (1979). We now reverse.5 II 12 As previously noted, called interpret elementary "[t]he starting point every involving construction statute itself." Blue Chip Stamps v. Manor Drug Stores, 421 723, 756, 95 1917, 1935, 44 539 (1975) (POWELL, J., concurring); Greyhound Corp. Mt. Hood Stages, Inc., 437 322, 330, 98 2370, 2375, 57 239 (1978); Santa Fe Industries, Inc. Green, 430 462, 472, 97 1292, 1300, 51 480 (1977). disregard individuals allow participate. Instead, requires excluded indicating context.6 below, respect imposed See Taken literally, limitation resulting however disabling. assumes, effect, think closer plain statutory language. 13 According regulations, "[q]ualified person" is, "[w]ith vocational education services, meets requisite [school's] activity . ." 45 CFR 84.3(k)(3) explanatory note states: 14 "The term 'technical standards' refers nonacademic admissions criteria essential question." pt. 84, A, p. 405 (1978) (emphasis supplied). 15 emphasizes programs.7 therefore, interprets "other" including qualifications. III 16 remaining question demanded might open that, currently constituted, ability reliance safety during phase found, indispensable functions performs. 17 contends nevertheless properly interpreted, compels communication. First, given faculty members directly. dispensed altogether necessary, argues, Rather, sufficient applicable satisfactorily duties hold positions nurse.8 18 finds support argument portions discussed above. particular, persons, provide interpreters.9 argues regulation ensure and, kind permit 19 present record requiring. 84.44(d)(2), example, explicitly excludes "devices services personal nature" kinds auxiliary aids school individual. Yet evidence indicates nothing less close, instructor took 1346. Furthermore, clear 84.44(a) encompass curricular changes close supervision, Southeastern, prudence, take classes. Whatever realize study, receive rough equivalent normally gives. Such fundamental alteration nature more "modification" requires. 20 If were beyond eliminate they clarify unauthorized extension obligations statute. 21 structure 1973 reflect recognition Congress distinction evenhanded treatment efforts overcome caused handicaps. 501(b), governing employment Government, each agency submit "an plan hiring, placement, advancement These plans "shall description extent methods whereby special employees being met." Similarly, 503(a), hiring contractors, employers "take employ advance President promulgate enforce section. 22 Under 501(c) Act, contrast, agencies "encourage[d] adopt implement policies procedures." refer action, applies implementation action. comparison provisions demonstrates understood accommodation knew how instances wished so.10 23 agency's under operates entitled deference, "this deference constrained our honor statute, revealed history." Teamsters Daniel, 551, 566 n. 20, 790, 800 58 808 Here, neither funds.11 IV 24 suggest clear. possible envision insistence continuing past practices arbitrarily deprive genuinely opportunity Technological advances enhance opportunities rehabilitate them useful employment. attainment goals undue financial burdens State. Thus, discriminatory. Identification continues important responsibility HEW. 25 uncontroverted several ways. See, e. g., 35a, 52a, 53a, 71a, 74a. undisputed unless substantially lowered. person.12 26 One admire desire determination service qualify. reflects intention limit V 27 reverse remand proceedings consistent opinion. 28 So ordered. wrote preclude practicing "any setting" allowed "a license L[icensed] P[ractical] N[urse]." 132a. inasmuch already practical inherently incredible. "not worked little bit private duty," id., 32a, done years before applying least infer fact work event, finding Licensed Practical Nurse, unlike constant medical great degree sophistication." 1341, 1342-1343 (EDNC 1976). set forth II), provides full: "No States, defined section 706(7) title, shall, solely in, of, subjected receiving assistance conducted Postal Service. head shall carry out amendments Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, Developmental Disabilities 1978. Copies submitted appropriate authorizing committees Congress, earlier thirtieth day after date so committees." italicized portion added 119 Amendments 1978, 92 2982. asserts claim dismissed constitutional claims. affirmed order, review ruling. Relying (HEW) subsequent HEW, Columbia intended issued ordered Cherry Mathews, 419 922 ensuing embodied 84 addition challenging Appeals, seek judicial relief violations view absence express right maintain 1983. disposition merits, unnecessary address issues views them. Norton 427 524, 529-531, 96 2771, 2774, 2775, 49 672 (1976); Moor County Alameda, 411 693, 715, 93 1785, 1798, 36 596 (1973); Augenblick, 393 348, 351-352, 89 528, 531, 537 (1969). defines "handicapped follows: 'handicapped individual' means (A) mental constitutes results (B) employability rehabilitation provided pursuant subchapters I chapter. For purposes chapter, impairment person's life activities, impairment, (C) regarded impairment." 7(6) 361, 88 1619, 2-5, 706(6). definition comports having, have actual incapacity all. exactly And limiting still possess abilities him included class "handicapped" range S.Rep.No. 93-1297, pp. 38-39 (1974), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News, 6373. "Paragraph (k) 84.3 'qualified person.' Throughout regulation, used instead 'otherwise believes omission word 'otherwise' comport because, literal reading, blind possessing driving bus sight said qualified' job driving. Clearly, Congress. respects, 'qualified' interchangeable." below adopted argument: lips overcoming disability; argued operating environment used, unavailing her. "Be may, community, appear number settings plaintiff RN, industry perhaps office. Certainly [respondent] viewed extraordinary insight emotional disabilities. "If pursuit RN career, relevant statutes, N.C.Gen.Stat. §§ 90-158, et seq., should foreclosed simply effectively roles choose careers." 1161 provides: "(a) Academic requirements. recipient [of funds] subpart discriminating, applicant student. demonstrate instruction pursued student related licensing Modifications length time permitted requirements, substitution specific adaptation manner conducted. "(d) Auxiliary aids. (1) steps operated students impaired sensory, manual, speaking skills. "(2) taped texts, interpreters making orally materials impairments, readers libraries visual classroom equipment adapted use manual similar actions. Recipients attendants, individually prescribed devices, devices nature." 84.44 115(a) 1978 grants units providing "such information (including personnel deaf) assist entities complying particularly 504." 2971, 775(a) III). recognizes occasion elimination involve costs; imply itself availability funds ascertaining existence brief amicus curiae respondent, cites Report Senate Committee Labor Public 1974 statements Members debate amendments, belief Brief Amicus 44-50. isolated committees, enactment consideration, substitute expression legislative enactment. Quern Mandley, 436 725, 736 10, 2069, 2075 56 658 Los Angeles Dept. Water Power Manhart, 435 702, 714, 1370, 1378, 55 657 comments, none represents whole, "legislation" weigh construing Cf. Red Lion Broadcasting Co. FCC, 395 367, 380-381, 1794, 1801, 371 Government contained Congress' approval created regulations. amendment undercuts position. amending extended section's prohibition Service" authorized amendment. 2, supra. mentioned supports inference others approved. Finally, assertion longstanding. three enacted, maintained issued. altered stand enjoined 4, diminishes General Electric Gilbert, 429 125, 143, 401, 411, 50 343 unclear law capable obtain practice, although State Nursing, informed require. 138a-139a. meeting Carolina's succeed obtaining another jurisdiction. Respondent's misses point. structured policy, accepted graduate pose public role he cast. Even demanding, standards.

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