Accommodation Appeals Process

The Office for Student Accessibility (OSA) engages with every student requesting accommodations to determine whether to grant the accommodations as requested or to propose alternative reasonable accommodations. Students who have followed OSA’s published procedures, and have done so in a timely manner, but believe they were incorrectly denied accommodations or approved accommodations were not appropriately implemented may file an appeal as outlined below.  During this appeal, approved accommodations remain in effect.

Students concerned about faculty/staff failure to implement approved accommodations, should contact the Director of OSA as soon as possible.    

Faculty with concerns about the assigned accommodations should contact OSA promptly.  University policy requires providing assigned accommodations unless altered by mutual agreement during the interactive process.   

Students who believe they have been discriminated against or harassed based on disability should report this to the university’s ADA Coordinator.

The OSA Appeals Policy does not override other University policies (grade appeal, Student Conduct, etc.), and retaliation for filing an appeal is prohibited. 

Accommodation Appeals Process for Undergraduate Students

Informal Appeals Process

Assistant Director, OSA – Students should first submit written notice to the Assistant Director of OSA, including documentation supporting their position.  The appeal should be submitted promptly, as delays may limit investigation and remedies. 

The Assistant Director may consult with university personnel or external experts and will attend to resolve the issue through an interactive process.  If the student is satisfied with the outcome, this process ends.  Otherwise, proceed to the formal appeals process detailed below.

Formal Appeals Process

1.     Director, OSA – The student shall file a written appeal to the Director of OSA within 15 business days of the informal decision.  The following information must be included in the written appeal:

a.     A detailed description of the complaint;

b.     Any supporting documentation; and,

c.      Resolution sought by the student.

The Director will notify the student, in writing, of their decision within 15 business days following receipt of the written appeal. The response time may be extended for good cause and only after notifying the student of the extension in writing.  If approved, accommodations will be promptly provided.  If unresolved, you can choose to proceed to the next step in the formal appeals process.

2.     ADA Coordinator – The student shall file a written appeal within 15 business days following the Director’s decision to the university’s ADA Coordinator, Natalie Gabbard, at gabbardn5@nku.edu.  The following information must be included in the written appeal:

a.     A detailed description of the complaint and/or appeal;

b.     Any supporting documentation;

c.      Resolution sought by the student; and,

d.      Director’s written decision.

The ADA Coordinator’s decision is final and will be communicated, in writing, within 15 business days following receipt of the written appeal. The response time may be extended for good cause and only after notifying the student of the extension in writing.  If approved, accommodations will be promptly provided. No further university appeals are available. 

Accommodation Appeals Process for Graduate, Law, and Doctoral Students

Informal Appeals Process

Director, OSA – Students should first submit written notice to the Director of OSA, including documentation supporting their position. The appeal should be submitted promptly, as delays may limit investigation and remedies. 

The Director may consult with university personnel or external experts and will attend to resolve the issue through an interactive process.  If the student is satisfied with the outcome, this process ends.  Otherwise, proceed to the formal appeals process detailed below.

Formal Appeals Process

1.     AVP for Student Conduct and Wellness (AVP for SCW) – The student shall file a written appeal to the AVP for SCW within 15 business days of the informal decision.   The following information must be included in the written appeal:

a.     A detailed description of the complaint;

b.     Any supporting documentation; and,

c.      Resolution sought by the student.

The AVP for SCW will notify the student, in writing, of their decision within 15 business days following receipt of the written appeal. The response time may be extended for good cause and only after notifying the student of the extension in writing.  If approved, accommodations will be promptly provided.  If unresolved, you can choose to proceed to the next step in the formal appeals process.

2.     ADA Coordinator – The student shall file a written appeal within 15 business days following the Director’s decision to the university’s ADA Coordinator, Natalie Gabbard, at gabbardn5@nku.edu.  The following information must be included in the written appeal:

a.     A detailed description of the complaint and/or appeal;

b.     Any supporting documentation;

c.      Resolution sought by the student; and,

d.      Director’s written decision.

The ADA Coordinator’s decision is final and will be communicated, in writing, within 15 business days following receipt of the written appeal. The response time may be extended for good cause and only after notifying the student of the extension in writing.  If approved, accommodations will be promptly provided. No further university appeals are available. 

Standard for Evaluating ADA Accommodation Appeals

The Accommodation Appeals Process is a critical safeguard that ensures decisions regarding ADA accommodations are thoroughly reviewed for fairness, accuracy, and compliance with legal standards, while providing students a meaningful opportunity to have their concerns and new information fully considered. During the appeals process, the decisionmaker completes a comprehensive review of the decision being appealed, including an evaluation of the information and supporting documentation submitted, applicable ADA requirements, university policies, and best practices. Appeals may be granted when new material information is presented, evidence of bias or procedural error is found, or if the process deviated from ADA guidelines or university policies. Dissatisfaction with the outcome is usually not sufficient grounds for appeal.