Appeals, Grievances, and Reporting Barriers to Access
Wesleyan University is committed to supporting students in their academic and co-curricular endeavors. If a student with a disability feels that a faculty or staff member, or another student has violated their rights, or they have experienced a barrier to access, then they are able to report the incident through any of the procedures outlined below.
Students requiring accommodations to participate in any of the procedures outlined below should communicate their need to Accessibility Services or the ADA/504 Compliance Officer.
ADA/504 Compliance Officer
The Vice President for Equity & Inclusion serves as Wesleyan University’s ADA/504 Compliance Officer, and has been designated to coordinate the university’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable state and federal laws. The ADA/504 Compliance Officer handles inquiries about compliance, and investigates complaints, disagreements, or denials of disability-related accommodations, modifications, and/or auxiliary aids and services.
Barrier to Access Reporting
Wesleyan University is committed to taking steps to ensuring and improving physical and technological access on campus, and utilizes an internal reporting form which is one of several ways for those on Wesleyan's campus to report a physical or technological barrier which restricts any person's access to campus facilities.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BARRIER FORM
Accommodation Appeals
Wesleyan University has adopted an internal appeals process for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints or disagreements regarding accommodations, modifications, and/or auxiliary aids and services for courses, programs, activities, facilities, or services at Wesleyan. When a student feels that an accommodation, modification, and/or auxiliary aid or service is not appropriate, reasonable, or effective, or the student has been denied a request for such, they can choose to report the incident through either of the following procedures:
Consult with Accessibility Services
- Students can discuss their concerns and review the process by which the accommodation request was reviewed
- Students are able to submit additional documentation for review at any time
Consult with the ADA/504 Compliance Officer
- If concerns persist, or if the complaint is regarding the Accessibility Services office or accommodation policies or procedures, the student can submit an Appeal Request by email to the ADA/504 Compliance Officer within 10 business days of when they were notified of the accommodation decision. the email must include:
- Information about the accommodation, modification, and/or auxiliary aid or service requested, and a brief description of the process by which the accommodation was requested and reviewed
- Specific information outlining the part(s) of the process the student wishes to appeal and a desired resolution for the appeal
- The ADA/504 Compliance Officer will review the Appeal Request in light of all relevant information and notify the student in writing of the final decision within 30 days from the time the Appeal Request was received
Failure to Receive Approved Accommodations
Students with disabilities are able to request reasonable accommodations, modifications, and/or auxiliary aids and services through Accessibility Services to ensure access to education, housing, meals, and co-curricular activities at Wesleyan. Accessibility Services assists students in arranging approved accommodations with professors and other university offices, as needed, in order to provide access to programs and services at Wesleyan.
If a student has not been provided with an approved accommodation, the student should immediately notify Accessibility Services to engage in an interactive process to seek resolution. If the issue persists, or if the student would like to address concerns about Accessibility Services, they are encouraged to contact the ADA/504 Compliance Officer. Students may also choose to file an Accommodation Denial Report through the following process:
Accommodation Denial Report Process
- An Accommodation Denial Report Form must be submitted within 10 business days of the denial
- Once the Accommodation Denial Report Form is received, the report will be reviewed in light of all relevant information
- The student will be notified in writing of the final decision within 30 days from the time the Accommodation Denial Report Form is received
Discriminatory Harassment Grievances
The Office for Equity and Inclusion serves students, faculty, administrators, and staff concerning all issues of equity and opportunity as they relate to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression. The office develops policies and procedures; and offers programming for the campus community regarding issues of diversity and equal opportunity/affirmative action. Students who wish to report discriminatory harassment should refer to the Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy for information on their rights and options, including the necessary steps and potential outcomes of each option.
Complaints through the Office for Civil Rights
Students retain the right to file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights if they believe they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability regardless of whether or not they have utilized the above procedures for Wesleyan University.
OCR Contact Information
The OCR office for Connecticut is located at:
Boston Office
Office for Civil Rights
US Department of Education
8th Floor
5 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109-3921
Telephone: 617-289-0111
FAX: 617-289-0150; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov