RIT is committed to fostering an environment where students with disabilities have the same access to academic programs, support services, social events, and physical facilities as every other student.

Procedures for disabilities services are based on the following assumptions:

1. Accommodating students is a shared student/ faculty/staff responsibility,
2. Faculty, staff and students need structured assistance in making decisions,
3. Policies and procedures must be reasonable and understandable,
4. Students' rights to confidentiality must be protected,
5. An appeals process must be trustworthy and timely.

Application for Accommodations

All students with disabilities who request accommodations must submit appropriate documentation of the disability to the Disability Services Coordinator's office (Eastman Building, Room 2342, phone 7804). The "Services for Students with Disabilities" brochure outlines the requirements for documentation and the process to be used in accessing services. This brochure is available from the Admissions Office or the office of the Disabilities Services Coordinator.

Formal Appeal Process for Eligibility Determination

If the student does not agree with the decision of the Coordinator of Disability Services due to either;

1. being denied services or
2. disagreement on the approved accommodations, and they cannot reach an agreement through informal discussions; the student may initiate a formal appeal.

The appropriate steps are:

1. An appeal may be submitted to the Director of the Academic Support Center (who serves as the direct supervisor for the Coordinator of Disability Services). The Academic Support Center (ASC) Director will convene a meeting within two weeks of receiving a written appeal by the student. After meeting with the student and reviewing the appropriate documentation (pending a signed release by the student), the ASC Director will make a decision on the appeal.
2. If either the student or the Coordinator of Disability Services is dissatisfied with the decision made by the ASC Director, a written appeal may be submitted to the Vice President of Student Affairs. The Vice President of Student Affairs will make the final decision after reviewing the students submitted disability related documentation and meeting with the appropriate parties.

Arranging for Academic Accommodations

Students who are qualified to receive academic accommodations will be given a letter from the Disability Services Coordinator at the beginning of the academic year. This letter will inform faculty of the students documented disability and the Disabilities Services Coordinator's recommendations for academic accommodations. Students should present this letter to their instructors when requesting services.

The coordination of academic accommodations can often be arranged between the student and the instructor. In some cases, student and instructor might choose to take advantage of RIT's disabilities services located in the Learning Development Center, i.e. special testing, (extended time, reader/scribe, quiet room), notetaking, assistive technology.

If student and instructor cannot agree on accommodations, attempts should be made to settle their differences informally at the college level. The College Disabilities Liaisons, department chairs, and/or the Disabilities Services Coordinator may serve as resources/mediators to assist in reaching an agreement.

Formal Appeal Process for Academic Accommodations

If student and faculty cannot reach an agreement through informal negotiations, either may initiate a formal appeal. The appropriate steps are:

1. An appeal may be made to the college dean of the faculty member involved. The dean (or dean's designee) will convene a meeting within two weeks of receiving a written notice requesting an appeal hearing. The hearing will include the student, the instructor, the Disabilities Service Coordinator, and when assigned, the student's primary disability services provider. The Dean will make a decision on the appeal.
2. If any party is dissatisfied with the decision made during the first stage, a written appeal may be submitted to the Provost within two weeks of the completion of the first stage. The Provost will make the final decision after consulting with the appropriate parties.

While the academic appeal is in process, the student will be provided accommodations originally recommended by the Disabilities Services Coordinator unless otherwise arranged by the Provost.

Arranging for Non-Academic Accommodations

All arrangements for non-academic accommodations will be made directly through the Disability Services Coordinator. Non-academic accommodations may include, but are not limited to, issues related to housing, diet, health, equipment, communications or transportation.

Formal Appeal Process for Non-Academic Accommodations

If a student and a service provider outside the colleges cannot reach agreement on accommodations, the following appeals process will be followed:

1. An appeal may be made to the chair of the department from which accommodations are being requested. The department chair will convene a meeting which will include the student, the service provider in the department, the Disabilities Services Coordinator, and the student's primary disabilities service provider (if other than the Disabilities Services Coordinator). The department chair will make a decision on accommodations.
2. If any party is dissatisfied with the decision made at the department level, an appeal may be made to the Vice President of Student Affairs, who will make a decision after consulting with the appropriate parties.

While the appeal is in process, the student will be provided the accommodations originally recommended by the Disabilities Services Coordinator, unless otherwise arranged by the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Role of the Disabilities Services Coordinator

At all stages of the appeals process, the Disabilities Services Coordinator acts as impartial consultant regarding 1) the student's needs supported by documentation, and 2) relevant legal guidelines and precedents. The Disabilities Services Coordinator does not act as an advocate for the student, the college or department, or the Institute.