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Disability Support Services

Grievance Procedure

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Grievance Procedure for Students with Disabilities

Lehigh University is committed to making all of its educational opportunities accessible to students with disabilities in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended. Reasonable accommodations are provided on an individual, case-by-case basis. Six criteria are used to determine whether a requested accommodation is reasonable. The accommodation requested:

  • is based on a disabling condition or documented functional limitation;
  • allows for the most integrated experience possible;
  • does not fundamentally alter the essential requirements or essential nature of a course or program
  • does not pose a threat to personal or public safety
  • does not impose undue financial or administrative burden;
  • is not of a personal nature (e.g., paying for an attendant).

In most instances, recommended academic accommodation and support services are acceptable to the student, the faculty, and the Office of Academic Support Services.  If the recommended support services are not acceptable to the student or the faculty, the following grievance procedure will be followed:

  1. A review of the documentation/accommodation process will take place. If acceptable, the reasonable accommodation is provided. If not, the student or faculty member may request (and consent to, as appropriate) the next recourse:

  2. An informal "second opinion" is rendered by the Documentation Review Committee, an ad hoc committee convened by the Associate Dean of Students. This ad hoc committee minimally comprises the professional staff of Disabilities Support Services, the Associate Dean of Students, a faculty member from the School Psychology Graduate Program.  As appropriate, additional representatives may be consulted, such as Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service, or a peer institution's student disabilities office. If a faculty member initiates this process, the Office of the Provost is also consulted. Usually a resolution can be found through this informal review of the reasonable accommodation. If acceptable, the reasonable accommodation is provided. If not, the student or faculty member may request (and consent to, as appropriate) the next recourse:

  3. Where the matter is not subject to informal resolution, the student may file a formal grievance with the Associate Dean of Students (U.C. 210) who serves as designee for the Provost for receipt of such grievances under the University’s Policy on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Non-Discrimination.  Students can refer to the Student Handbook for Formal Grievance Procedures.