Adapting to College: What does 'least restrictive environment' mean in a college setting?

Hey, so I encountered the term 'least restrictive environment' while looking up some college stuff, but I'm a bit confused about what it actually means. Specifically in relation to college activities or clubs, can anyone here elaborate on it? What should I expect when someone mentions it?

The term 'least restrictive environment' actually comes from the world of special education, where it refers to the mandate that students with disabilities should be educated with non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible, and they should only be separated when the nature or severity of the disability doesn't allow satisfactory achievement.

While it’s not typically used in the context of college activities or clubs, it might be used to express the idea of inclusivity and accessibility. In other words, college activities or clubs employing this principle would aim to create environments where all students can participate fairly and equally. This might include things like a club using varied meeting formats (in-person, online, etc.) to accommodate different schedules and needs, or a sporting event providing measures to allow students with disabilities to also take part.

When someone mentions the 'least restrictive environment' in relation to college activities or clubs, it likely implies a commitment towards inclusivity and breaking barriers that might restrict full participation. So, you can expect efforts towards ensuring that no student is unnecessarily limited or excluded from participating because of any physical, logistical, or other obstacles.