Accessibility Services Complaint and Appeal Process
Students have the right to raise a complaint when approved accommodations are not being provided or implemented or to appeal decisions related to an accommodation request being deferred. The appropriate process depends on the nature of the student's concern.
COMPLAINT:Â Current Accommodations Not Being Met
Students with approved accommodations through Accessibility Services may submit a complaint if they believe an approved accommodation is not being provided or implemented.
Before or during the complaint process, students are encouraged to contact Accessibility Services for support in addressing the situation. Accessibility Services can work with the student and, when appropriate, faculty, staff, or the department involved to better understand the situation and seek a resolution.
If the situation is not resolved, or if the student wishes to proceed with a complaint, the student may submit the 6a) Complaint: Current Accommodations Not Being Met form.
You will land on the Luther 360 Launchpad.
Click on “Ask for Help”
Click on “6a) Complaint: Current Accommodations Not Being Met”.
APPEAL:Â Accommodation Request Deferred:
Students have the right to appeal Accessibility Services’ decision to defer (deny for now) an accommodation request.
Students may contact Accessibility Services to discuss the deferral decision, ask questions, or provide additional information. If the student wishes to appeal the decision, the student may submit the 6b) APPEAL: Accommodation Request Deferred form. Use this form if you have requested an accommodation through Accessibility Services and your request has been deferred.
A deferral does not necessarily mean that your request has been denied. A deferral means that Accessibility Services does not yet have enough information to determine whether you have a disability that qualifies for accommodation and/or whether the barriers you are experiencing are related to a disability. Accessibility Services may need additional information or documentation before deciding.
Use this form if you would like to appeal the deferral decision or provide additional information for Accessibility Services to consider. You do not need to resubmit documentation you have already provided.
Students do not need to resubmit documentation previously provided to Accessibility Services. Students may submit new or additional documentation that provides context for the appeal with the appeal form.
You will land on the Luther 360 Launchpad.
Click on “Ask for Help”
Click on “6b) Appeal: Accommodation Request Deferred”.
Level 1:Â Review of an Appeal
After you submit an appeal form, Accessibility Services will review the information provided and may contact you to discuss the appeal or request additional information.
When appropriate, Accessibility Services may also gather information from relevant faculty, staff, or departments as part of the review process.
If the matter is resolved through this review, the student will be notified of the outcome. If the student disagrees with the outcome, the student may proceed to the next level of appeal.
Level 2: Written appeal to the Dean for Student Success
A student who disagrees with the outcome of the Accessibility Services review may submit a written appeal to the Dean for Student Success within 20 days of receiving the decision.
The written appeal should explain the reason for the appeal and include any additional information the student would like considered. The Dean for Student Success will review the appeal and may gather information from relevant faculty, staff, or departments.
At the Dean’s discretion, a scheduled meeting may occur as part of the review. The meeting will include the student and the Dean and may include other individuals with relevant information.
The Dean for Student Success will provide the student with a written decision within 30 days of receiving the written appeal or within 15 days following a meeting, whichever comes first.
Level 3: Written appeal to the Provost
A student who disagrees with the decision of the Dean for Student Success may submit a written appeal to the Provost within 20 days of receiving the Dean’s decision.
The written appeal should explain the reason for the appeal and include any additional information the student would like considered. The Provost will review the appeal and may gather information from relevant faculty, staff, or departments.
At the Provost’s discretion, a scheduled meeting may occur as part of the review. The meeting will include the student and the Provost and may include other individuals with relevant information.
The Provost will provide the student with a written decision within 30 days of receiving the written appeal or within 15 days following a meeting, whichever comes first.
External Complaint Option
Students may also have the right to file a disability discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Filing an internal appeal with Luther College is not required before filing a complaint with OCR.
Information about OCR’s complaint process, filing requirements, and electronic complaint form is available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.