Policy Documents:
The final Disability Accomodations and Nondiscrimination policy is located here. Also included are a comparison showing changes from the proposal and the prior version of the policy.
Summary:
The revised policy includes more detailed descriptions of the process for requesting and receiving reasonable accommodations, appealing accommodation decisions, and submitting and resolving discrimination complaints.
Comments:
A few commenters asked that the policy include specific timelines for evaluation and resolution of accommodation requests and more precise definitions of documentation that might be required in the accommodation process.
Other commenters requested a definition of “interactive process,” specific protections for mental health conditions, more detailed descriptions of appeals processes, and express due process protections for disciplinary consequences arising from discrimination investigations.
Changes in Final Policy vs. Proposal:
In response to comments, language was added to describe in general terms the nature of the “interactive process,” to further detail the processes for requesting and appealing reasonable accommodations, and to confirm applicability of procedural protections in the event of a disciplinary process.
However, requests for precise timelines and descriptions of documentation that would apply in every case are not feasible given the significant variation in the nature of disabilities encountered on a college campus and the interactive process necessary to accommodate them. The policy reflects the standards that are required by law. The initial proposal also reflected the appropriate definition of “disability,” including a reference to both physical and mental impairments.
