Student Grievance Under the Americans with Disabilities Act Policy

Policy:  
PNWU is committed to providing equal and integrated access for students with disabilities. This resolve is grounded not only in the law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, but also in the commitment PNWU has to the inclusion of all members of the community. The grievance process is intended to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints involving discrimination based on disability.  

Any student enrolled in any PNWU program who believes that they have been discriminated against based on disability (including but not limited to alleged inaccessibility of an PNWU program or activity, disparate treatment, discriminatory impact of any PNWU policy, disability harassment, and disability accommodation) may seek the assistance of the Director of Student Success and Disability Services (or designee) through the filing of a disability grievance.  

PNWU recognizes that disagreements may occur about the reasonable nature of or implementing an accommodation. To this end, a range of options to resolve concerns about implementing accommodations and treatment by university staff and faculty are included in the process. Throughout any of these procedures, students can expect to be treated with respect, receive a timely response, remain free of retaliation, and have their concerns addressed privately to the greatest extent possible.  

Students with grievances relating to accommodations should first work through the grievance process relating to disability accommodation, if that effort is not satisfactory, students may request a review by the 504 Coordinator. 

Definitions:  
Disability: The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability.

Reasonable Accommodation: Modifying or adjusting practices, procedures, policies, or job duties; or the work, assessment, learning, or application environment so that a qualified individual with a disability can perform a position’s essential functions, and/or enjoy equal employment or education opportunity. 

Undue Hardship: An excessively costly, extensive, substantial, or disruptive modification, or one that would fundamentally alter the nature or operation of the University or program. 

Procedure:  
Accommodations including grievance, found in Academic Program Student Handbook 

Related Documents: 
N/A 

Policy Resources

• Policy Development and Approval Training
• Establishing and Creating University Policies and Procedures (Policy)
• Policy Development & Approval Procedure
• Policy Development & Approval Diagram
• Policy Justification Form
• Policy Template (password protected)
• Procedure Resources (password protected)
• PNWU Alumni Association Bylaws
• COM Bylaws
• PNWU Bylaws

For assistance with policies and procedures contact:

Lori Fulton
lfulton@pnwu.edu