Abstract of Policy on Services for Students with Disabilities
Laws affecting the University's obligations to individuals with disabilities include the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Under the Rehabilitation Act:
No otherwise qualified individual...shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.... [29 U.S.C. Sec. 794; see also 34 C.F.R. Part 104 (Department of Education regulations).
Title III of the ADA imposes similar non-discrimination requirements on the University as a place of public accommodation [42 U.S.C., Sec. 12181 et seq.; see also 28 C.F.R Part 36, Department of Justice regulations].
I. The Office of the Vice President for Student Development assumes responsibility for seeing that the University is properly interpreting federal regulations requiring that the University take such steps as are necessary to ensure that no student with a disability is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of the absence of reasonable accommodations for students with a physical or mental impairment. The University Disability Coordinator (Vice President for Student Development), assisted by Disability Advisors (e.g., CAPS psychologists, Law School Associate Dean), will be responsible for effecting the University's compliance with these regulations.
II. Sufficient advance notice is required in order to give the various academic and service areas a reasonable period of time in which to evaluate and respond to requests. Students should complete the steps listed below well in advance of the anticipated need for services.
A. Students must be admitted to and/or enrolled in the University.
B. Students requesting auxiliary aids, academic adjustments, or other special services should first complete the "Application for Disability Accommodation" form from the Office of the Vice President for Student Development. If the request requires modification of academic procedural requirements or necessitates special testing and/or course evaluation methods, students must provide a copy of a report of the diagnosis from appropriate professionals. Such diagnosis is subject to verification by the University.
C. The University Disability Coordinator (the Vice President for Student Development) or designees (Disability Advisors), will make a case-by-case determination of the student's educational need for the requested auxiliary aid, academic adjustments, or other accommodations determined to be reasonable. A "Disability Accommodation Notice" will be provided to the student for use in arranging the permitted accommodations.
III. Students who believe that they have experienced discrimination on the basis of a disability can seek resolution through the University's grievance procedure. Information and consultation on these procedures are available through the Office of the Vice President for Student Development.
* Policy on file in the Office of the Vice President for Student Development, Room 338, Tyler Haynes Commons, University of Richmond, Richmond VA 23173 (Telephone - 804/289-8615)
2008