Disability Accommodation Policy and Appeal Procedure
Policy Statement
Vassar College is committed to providing individuals with disabilities equal access to the academic courses, programs, and activities of the College. In accordance with the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the College strives in its policies and practices to provide for equal access and opportunity for students with disabilities in all aspects of college life. In support of this mission, the Office for Accessibility and Educational Opportunity provides services to self-identified students with disabilities. Disabilities may include, but are not necessarily limited to, visual impairments, mobility and orthopedic impairments, hearing impairments, chronic medical conditions, learning disabilities, and psychological or emotional disorders.
I. The Office for Accessibility and Educational Opportunity
The role of the Director is to evaluate requests for accommodations and services based on the needs of self-identified students with disabilities, and to coordinate accommodations, auxiliary aids and services with appropriate College personnel. To ensure the provision of reasonable and effective accommodations, individuals must provide documentation of their disability or disabilities by an appropriate professional. Individuals with disabilities must also provide the Director sufficient time to evaluate the request, to determine the appropriate course of action, and to implement appropriate accommodations and support services.
While the accommodation preference of the individual with the disability will be taken into consideration, Vassar College is not required to provide the preferred accommodation as long as the alternative accommodation is reasonable, effective and provides equal access. Vassar College is not responsible for providing services of a personal nature, or for providing prescribed devices or services. Because college and departmental requirements are implemented for sound pedagogic and academic reasons, it is not the policy of the College to waive requirements. Students in need of modifications to their academic program may petition the Committee on Leaves and Privileges, in consultation with the Office Accessibility and Educational Opportunity, for academic modifications.
Requests for accommodations and auxiliary aids and services involve evaluation of the following criteria:
- Whether the person meets the criteria for being otherwise qualified as an individual with a disability under the ADA and Section 504;
- Whether the disability is appropriately documented in writing by a qualified professional. The amount and type of required documentation will be based upon the nature of the disability and the nature and duration of the requested accommodation;
- Whether the requested accommodation or support service is appropriate to the needs of the person with the disability and appropriate for the academic course, program, or activity;
- Whether the student will have equal access or opportunity without the accommodation or support service;
- Whether the accommodation will fundamentally alter the academic course or program;
- Whether an alternate accommodation or academic modification could be implemented to provide equal access and opportunity.
The Director will remain available for consultation during the period of accommodation in case modifications to the accommodation or support service become necessary. If a resolution to a request for accommodations and support services, or modifications to such requests, cannot be achieved through informal negotiation, either party involved in the accommodation or support service may file an appeal, as outlined in Sections III through V.
II. Confidentiality
Individuals with disabilities are entitled to privacy and discretion in the handling of all disability-related information. Disability-related information provided to the Office for Accessibility and Educational Opportunity will be used solely for the purpose of enabling Vassar to provide services related to the individual’s disability. Information on disabilities is collected and maintained separately from other academic or employment information and is kept in secure files with limited access.
Disability documentation is not considered a part of a student’s permanent academic record or of an employee’s personnel file. It is the policy of the College to maintain confidentiality in all informal and formal proceedings, except as otherwise specified in these statements of procedure.
III. Appeals
Students who wish to appeal a disability-related decision or accommodation determination should follow the established procedures outlined by the College.
Disability Accommodation Policy and Appeal Procedure – Office for Institutional Equity
The Faculty Director for Institutional Equity serves as the College’s ADA/Section 504 Coordinator and, in consultation with the Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity, oversees compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Faculty Director for Institutional Equity oversees appeals related to disagreements or denials of disability-related accommodations, modifications, or auxiliary aids and services resulting in an inability to access the College’s education program or activity or that had a discriminatory effect. The ADA / Section 504 Coordinator may be reached at Vassar College, Office for Institutional Equity by email at equity@vassar.edu or by telephone at (845) 437-7924.