If a student believes he or she has been discriminated against due to his/her disability he or she has the right to file a grievance. (See Rehabilitation Act, 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990.
Internal Appeals or Grievances
If a student disagrees with an accommodation decision reached by DSS (i.e., the request is denied or an alternative accommodation(s) is offered), or is dissatisfied with the manner in which an approved accommodation is being provided, the student should outline the details of the complaint, in writing, and deliver it to the Director of Disability Support Services within 10 business days of the decision notification. The student may provide additional information and request a reconsideration of the accommodation decision. The Director will conduct a second review of the requested accommodation which may include a meeting with necessary parties (the student, instructors, treatment providers if applicable). After the second review of the request, the Director will respond to the student in writing. The response will include a summary of findings and a rationale for the resulting decision.
If the decision of the Director from the second review of the request is not satisfactory to the student, the student may file an appeal with the ADA Compliance Officer by contacting the Office of Title IX and Advocacy (Kristen.Helling@Fredonia.edu). A written determination will be sent to the Director of Disability Support Services and the student within 15 business days. A copy of the determination will be kept on file for 5 years.
External Appeals or Grievances
Although a student is encouraged to resolve complaints at either the personal level directly with faculty, or through the internal appeals or grievance process, they have the right to file a grievance with the Office of Civil Rights at any time. The Statute of Limitations for filing a complaint with OCR is 180 days from the time the incident occurred. Forms may be obtained from the ADA Compliance Officer, or the student can appeal online through the Office of Civil Rights. Students also reserve the right to file complaints of bias on the basis of disability with the Office of Title IX and Advocacy.