Schornstein v. New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Schornstein v. New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, F.Supp. 773 (D.N.J. 1981), is one of two landmark cases establishing which entity is assigned by the Rehabilitation Act to have primary responsibility in providing auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities in postsecondary institutions.

In August of 1978, Ruth Ann Schornstein, who is Deaf, applied for admission to Kean College, a New Jersey state college that receives federal financial assistance. Kean College admitted Schornstein for the spring of 1979, but refused to provide the sign language interpreting services Schornstein requested. Schornstein applied for assistance to the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (the NJDVRS). The NJDVRS agreed to pay for her tuition, transportation, and books. The NJDVRS paid for interpreting services for the summer ...