Appeals Process for Accommodations

Appeal Process if Denied an Approved Accommodation in the Classroom

Students with disabilities are responsible for contacting Accessibility Services immediately if they believe approved accommodations described in the Letter of Accommodation are not implemented in an effective or timely manner. 

If you believe approved accommodations to which you are entitled are not being provided in the classroom, contact Accessibility Services to discuss the situation and next steps. Approved accommodations will be in place while meeting with all parties and responding to concerns.

In keeping with the interactive process, the majority of concerns regarding accommodations will be handled in the following manner: Accessibility Services will meet individually with the student, faculty, staff, or other campus partner to resolve issues in a timely and integrative way.

Follow up on approved accommodation appeals will be completed in a reasonably prompt timeframe to ensure appropriate time to meet with all parties and respond to concerns. The goal is to ensure that equal access is being provided in courses and programs.

Appeal Process for Accommodation Decisions Made by Accessibility Services

Students who want to appeal a disability accommodation decision by Accessibility Services should follow the steps described below:

1. Students may submit a request for reconsideration to the Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism and Support Services (IDEAS) (Wilson House/IDEAS@lawrence.edu) within 14 calendar days of receiving an accommodation decision from Accessibility Services. The request shall be in writing (letter format and/or email) and include a brief statement of the grounds for appeal.
2. The grounds for appeal will be:
   1. There was a substantial failure by Accessibility Services to comply with procedures so as to deny a fair review of the request, or
   2. The decision of Accessibility Services was not supported by the evidence.​
3. The appeal review will be based on the information and materials in the case file, the student’s written request for reconsideration of the accommodation decision, and the review committee’s findings and recommendations.
4. The Vice President for IDEAS, along with a designated committee of at least two other members (drawn from a group comprised of the Provost, the Dean of Academic Success, the Dean of the Conservatory, the VP for Student Life, the Dean of Students, the VP for Finance and Administration, or their respective designees), may affirm, modify, or reverse the decision of the Director of Accessibility Services. The decision of the committee shall be final and not subject to further review. 

While it is hoped students can resolve a concern within the campus processes, you have the right to file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at any time. The Statute of Limitations for filing a complaint with OCR is 180 days from the time of the incident.

Find directions on how to file a complaint with the OCR.