Student Disability Services (SDS) determines accommodation eligibility and identifies reasonable accommodations through an interactive process. This appeal procedure is available to students who disagree with SDS decisions related to their general eligibility for accommodations, SDS determinations regarding specific accommodation requests, or SDS determinations that an approved accommodation is not reasonable in a particular course or setting.  If a student wishes to appeal any of these situations, they must follow the applicable procedure below.

Appeal procedure for eligibility and accommodation decisions

1. The student must notify their assigned Access Coordinator that they wish to request a review by the SDS Accommodations Committee, which includes SDS leadership. The student must provide written information to their Access Coordinator explaining the basis for their disagreement with the decision.
   1. If a student submits new information that was not available for consideration during the initial interactive process (e.g. additional medical documentation or a supplemental personal statement), the appeal process will be paused. The accommodation request and new information will be referred back to the Access Coordinator for further review under the standard interactive process.
   2. In certain cases, the decision may have already been reviewed by the Accommodations Committee and SDS leadership. If so, the Access Coordinator will inform the student and refer them to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility (EOA) to pursue a further appeal through the university’s ADA Coordinator, if the student chooses to proceed.
2. The Access Coordinator will present all relevant documentation and information provided by the student at the next scheduled meeting of the Accommodations Committee.
   1. If the Committee modifies or reverses the decision, the Access Coordinator will notify the student to provide any necessary follow-up information to facilitate implementation of the revised accommodation decision.
   2. If the Committee upholds the original decision, the Access Coordinator will inform the student and provide them information on the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility (EOA), in case they wish to pursue a further appeal through the university’s ADA Coordinator.

Appeal procedure for the provision of approved accommodations

This appeal procedure is available to students who believe an approved accommodation or service was not provided. The student’s assigned Access Coordinator will gather relevant information and investigate the concern in collaboration with appropriate parties.

1. The student must notify their assigned SDS Access Coordinator that they believe an approved accommodation or service was not provided.
2. If the concern pertains to an approved accommodation not being provided by SDS staff, the Access Coordinator will notify the Assistant Director or other relevant SDS leadership. SDS will conduct an internal review of the matter. If the student disagrees with the resolution, SDS will provide them information on the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility (EOA), in case they wish to pursue a further appeal through the university’s ADA Coordinator.
3. If the concern pertains to an instructor or other university employee external to SDS not providing an approved accommodation, the Access Coordinator will conduct an initial review and notify SDS leadership as appropriate. SDS leadership may assist in determining a resolution. If the student disagrees with the resolution, SDS will provide them information on the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility (EOA), in case they wish to pursue a further appeal through the university’s ADA Coordinator.
4. If at any time in this process SDS believes the concern rises to the level of alleged disability discrimination or harassment, SDS will confer with the Office of Investigation and Resolution (OIR).

Disability discrimination or harassment

Students who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment by a university employee on the basis of disability may directly contact the Office of Investigation and Resolution (OIR) to request assistance.   

Other concerns about Student Disability Services

Students who have concerns about SDS that are not otherwise addressed within these procedures may contact the SDS Director. Students may further contact the Dean of Students if they feel their concerns have not been addressed.