Insights

Releases and Assumption of Risk Forms in Concussion Management

A recent, informal poll of UE higher education members suggests that many institutions overlook a critical tool for managing the risks of intercollegiate athletic head injuries: a signed agreement acknowledging the danger of concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and, where appropriate, releasing the athlete’s right to sue. A well-written assumption of risk form or a release can highlight the potential dangers of athletic participation, particularly in contact sports, and deter lawsuits.
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Invisible Disabilities at the 25th Anniversary of the ADA

July marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities at public and private educational institutions. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that more than 90 percent of disabilities are invisible—in other words, not observable or apparent. Examples include learning disabilities and attention deficits, autism spectrum disorders, mental or psychiatric impairments, and chronic diseases.
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‘Escalation’: A Tool to Combat Relationship Violence

The One Love Foundation has created “Escalation,” a new workshop designed to reduce abusive relationships among young people. The foundation was formed to honor Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia student athlete who was killed by her ex-boyfriend. The workshop was pilot-tested extensively on college campuses and has received positive reactions from male and female students. One Love plans to roll out the program on more campuses and introduce it in high schools.
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Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Clinical Programs

Managing students with documented disabilities in clinical programs can present unanticipated difficulties. If a student is “otherwise qualified”—i.e., meets the academic requirements—to participate in the degree program, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require institutions to provide reasonable accommodations for his or her disability.
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