Grievance Process

Appealing Accommodations Decisions

Guidelines for Filing a Grievance or Appeal Based Upon a Disabilities

If a student believes they have been denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations, modifications, auxiliary aids, or effective communication, or suffered discriminatory harassment as described in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, they have a few options by which to file a grievance. 

Students with disabilities are responsible for contacting the Director of the Center for Disability Resources if they feel reasonable accommodations are not implemented in an effective or timely manner.

The Director of Disability Resources works with students to resolve disagreements regarding recommended accommodations. If students feel that  accommodations to which they are entitled have not been provided, they should contact the Director of Disability Resources to discuss their concern and follow up steps.

In keeping with an interactive process, the majority of concerns regarding accommodations will be handled via an informal process with the faculty and/or program and Disability Resources staff persons to resolve any concerns in a timely and integrative way.

Follow up on formal or informal grievances will be resolved in a reasonably prompt timeframe in ensuring appropriate time to meet with all parties and respond to concerns.  The goal is to ensure that equity is being provided in programs and courses.

If the concern is related to grade evaluations, the student should follow the appeals process for grades found in the Grading Policies and Appeals portion of the student handbook.

Appealing Accommodation Decisions Made by the Center for Disability Resources

Students wishing to appeal a disability accommodation decision by the Director of Disability Resources should follow the procedures outlined below:

1. Within fourteen calendar days after the receipt of the decision by the Director of Resources, the student may request in writing an appeal review by the Deputy ADA Coordinator/Nondiscrimination Officer or their designee. The request shall be in writing and include a brief statement of the grounds for appeal.
2. The grounds for appeal will be:
   a. There was a substantial failure by the Director of Disability Resources or Disability Resources Staff to comply with the procedures so as to deny a fair review of the request, or
   b. The decision of the Director of Disability Resources or Disability Resources Staff was not supported by the evidence.
3. The appeal review will be based on the information and materials in the case file, the Director of Disability Resources findings and recommendations, and the student’s written request for an appeal review.
4. The Deputy ADA Coordinator/Nondiscrimination Officer or their designee may affirm, modify, or reverse the decision of the Director of Disability Resources, or at their discretion, refer the matter to other Administrative/Senior Administrators for further review and decision. Students will be shall notify the student in writing of their decision. The decision of the Nondiscrimination Office or their designee shall be final and not subject to further review.