Student Rights & Responsibilities

Rights:

• To not be denied access due to a disability, according to the law.
• To receive reasonable accommodations that provide equal opportunity.
• To have access to auxiliary aids/assistive technology as available to other students.
• To not be counseled toward “more restrictive career objectives.”
• To receive assistance from the DSS office in removing physical, academic and attitudinal barriers.
• To not be discriminated against due to a disability or receive any retaliatory discrimination, as protected by law.

Responsibilities:

• To identify themselves to the DSS office.
• To provide documentation of disability.
• To participate in an intake interview with the Coordinator for DSS to initiate services.
• To initiate specific accommodations by following the procedures outlined in this handbook and the accommodation agreement.
• To provide the notice within the time deadlines set forth in this handbook.
• To provide for his/her personal independent living needs or other personal disability-related needs.
• To assume personal responsibility for meeting with faculty and requesting additional assistance.

Discrimination Grievance Procedures

Internal Complaints: Students who feel they have been discriminated against because of a disability or perceived disability should refer to the SPU nondiscrimination policy at http://www.spu.edu/depts/studentlife/grievanceprocedures.asp. This policy outlines the University's nondiscrimination policy as well as internal grievance procedures if a student suspects discrimination.

External (OCR) Complaints: Students are encouraged to follow the internal grievance procedure in an attempt to resolve complaints. However, students can file a grievance with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at any time. Ordinarily, the time limit for filing a complaint with OCR is 180 days from the time the incident occurred. Information on how to file a grievance with OCR can be found at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html?src=oc.