Grievance Procedure

Appeals and SDC Accommodation Decisions

It is the responsibility of the Student Disability Center to analyze all information when making equal access and accommodation decisions. On occasion, a student may not agree with the identified accommodations made available and offered to the student. As required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the SDC has developed a process for prompt and equitable review and resolution in such situations. 

If a student does not agree with an approved or denied accommodation decision made by the staff of the SDC, the student may file an appeal through the processes outlined below. If the student has a concern about one’s experience with SDC personnel, the student may also file a complaint. 

The following steps outline the process to use in either situation: 

During the appeal process the student should continue to fulfill academic requirements until a final determination has been provided. 

Step 1

If informal discussions with appropriate SDC personnel have not resolved the issue, the student may submit a written or recorded appeal to the SDC’s Assistant Director for Access and Accommodations no later than ten (10) business days of notification of the accommodation decision being made. (In cases where the Assistant Director for Access and Accommodations made the decision that is being appealed, the student should contact the Director of the SDC). 

The appeal shall include the reason for the appeal as well as any additional information and/or documentation the student would like to submit regarding the disability-related need for the accommodation. 

Please note, if an accommodation needs to be adjusted or not provided due to it being deemed a fundamental alteration that information will be communicated to the student in writing and sent to their CSU email. In that situation, the student should contact their Accommodation Specialist to discuss alternate accommodations. 

Step 2

The Assistant Director for Access and Accommodations will contact the student within seven (7) business days of receipt of the complaint to set up a meeting to further discuss the appeal.  

During this meeting, the student should be prepared to explain why the denied accommodation is needed to address the current impacts of their disability at CSU. (Having received an accommodation from a previous institution or in the K-12 system is not in itself a sufficient basis). If the student is objecting to the approval of an accommodation, they should be prepared to explain the basis for their objection. 

Step 3

The Assistant Director for Access and Accommodations will review all of the information available to them. The Assistant Director for Access and Accommodations may also consult with other appropriate University personnel, such as the SDC Director, faculty, and/or representatives from the CSU Office of Equal Opportunity and Office of General Counsel. Based on all the information provided, the Assistant Director for Access and Accommodations will make a decision regarding the student’s appeal within five (5) business days. The decision will be in writing and will be sent to the student’s CSU email address.  

If through this appeal process the accommodation is granted, then the accommodation will be granted moving forward. Accommodations are not retroactive. 

Step 4

If the student still feels the issue is not resolved, the student may then contact the CSU Office of Equal Opportunity for conflict resolution support and/or to file an informal or formal complaint. This is the final step – the decision of the OEO is the university’s final determination on the matter. 

OEO Contact Info 

Office of Equal Opportunity
101 Student Services Building
Colorado State University
970-491-5836
oeo@colostate.edu  

Complaints regarding OEO or institutional decisions will need to be addressed through entities outside of CSU.  

Complaint Processes for Accommodations use in Academic Settings

The Student Disability Center staff members aim to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to participate in educational opportunities at CSU. Determining equal access requires both consideration of a student’s disability along with consideration of the fundamental aspects of academic programs, courses, policies and practices. 

If a student believes their SDC approved accommodations are not being provided or encounters instances of instructors not implementing their accommodations in an academic setting, they should utilize the below process to address the issue.  

Step 1

The student should contact their Accommodations Specialist or other SDC staff as soon as possible to report the concern. The student should include any information regarding the accommodation not being provided.  

Please note, if an accommodation needs to be adjusted or not provided due to it being deemed a fundamental alteration that information will be communicated to the student in writing and sent to their CSU email. In that situation, the student should contact their Accommodation Specialist to discuss alternate accommodations. 

Step 2

The Accommodation Specialist will respond to the student within three (3) business days to follow up and gather any additional information that is needed.  

The Accommodation Specialist will assist the student in addressing the concern. The Accommodation Specialist may seek additional assistance from other appropriate University personnel such as the SDC Assistant Director for Access and Accommodations, the SDC Director, academic college and department leadership, and representatives from the Office of Equal Opportunity or Office of General Counsel.  

Instances of Discrimination

If a student feels they have been discriminated against based on disability or any other protected identity, they may then contact the CSU Office of Equal Opportunity for conflict resolution support and/or to file an informal or formal complaint.

OEO Contact Info 

Office of Equal Opportunity
101 Student Services Building
Colorado State University
970-491-5836
oeo@colostate.edu

Additional Resources