Title
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on Accommodation Appeals
Introduction
Purpose
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("University") is committed to assuring the accessibility of its programs, activities, and services. The University facilitates accessibility by providing students and applicants for admission who have a documented disability with reasonable and appropriate accommodations and services.
The University's Accessibility Resources & Service ("ARS") is the office on campus that is responsible for addressing the needs of students and applicants with disabilities.
Scope of Applicability
The policy applies to all UNC-Chapel Hill students and applicants for admission to an academic program.
ARS is unable to assist faculty members, staff members, and postdoctoral scholars. Employees with questions or concerns regarding disability accommodations should contact the University's Equal Opportunity and Compliance ("EOC") Office by email at eoc@unc.edu or by calling 919-966-3576 (711 NC Relay).
Policy
Policy Statement
In order to receive disability accommodations, students and applicants must timely submit the required documentation described in ARS's Policy on Student and Applicant Disability Accommodations.
As described below, students and applicants have several options for seeking review of an ARS determination regarding the student's or applicant's eligibility for services or accommodations or an ARS decision to deny a requested service or accommodation.
Related Requirements
External Regulations and Consequences
- External driver for the Policy (e.g. Federal, GA, accreditation, regulation) with link to regulation if available)
University Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information
Policy Contact
Accessibility Resources & Service
SASB - North (Student and Academic Services Building - North)
CB # 7214
450 Ridge Road, #2126
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-5000
Telephone: 919-962-8300
TTY: 711 (NC RELAY)
Fax: 919-843-5609
Email: ars@unc.edu
Web: https://ars.unc.edu/
Other Contacts
Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office
214 W. Cameron Ave.
Campus Box 9160
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Telephone: 919-966-3576
TTY: 711 (NC RELAY)
Email: eoc@unc.edu
Web: https://eoc.unc.edu/
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline: 800-421-3481
Fax: 202-453-6012
TTY: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Web: https://www.ed.gov/ocr
Accommodation Appeals Procedures
A. Accommodations Reconsideration Process
The Accommodations Reconsideration Process provides students and applicants with the opportunity to request a redetermination of an ARS decision about a student's or applicant's eligibility for services or for particular accommodations or services. A student who wishes to initiate this inquiry should request a review of the service or accommodation by the ARS Accommodations and Modifications Committee.
The membership of the committee includes professionals from the following areas:
- ARS staff members,
- Campus Dining Services,
- Campus Health Services,
- Counseling and Psychological Services,
- Department of Housing and Residential Education,
- The Learning Center,
- Other campus officials as necessary and appropriate.
This request can be made by contacting ARS in writing or by telephone and requesting that the Accommodations and Modifications Committee revisit the challenged decision.
Students and applicants are encouraged to submit their request for reconsideration as soon as possible following their receipt of the disputed determination.
During its review, the Accommodations and Modifications Committee may ask the student to provide additional information so that the Committee can carefully and thoroughly reassess the initial determination(s) made.
B. University Grievance Process
At any time, a student or applicant may file a report alleging that the University has failed to provide reasonable disability-related accommodations to the student or applicant pursuant to the University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct (“PPDHRM”). The PPDHRM, which prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based upon a student’s or applicant’s protected status, including a student’s or applicant’s disability, describes a student’s or applicant’s reporting options and applicable procedures.
The student or applicant may file a report under the PPDHRM following an unsatisfactory determination of the Accommodation and Modifications Committee. Alternatively, the student may bypass the Accommodations Reconsideration Process altogether and proceed directly to the University’s Grievance Process.
Further information about the University Grievance Process is available from the EOC Office. The EOC Office may be contacted by email at eoc@unc.edu or by calling 919-966-3576 (711 NC Relay).
C. Federal Agency Grievance Procedures
At any time, a student or applicant who believes that the University has not lawfully accommodated the student’s or applicant’s disability may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). Contact information for OCR appears below.
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline: 800-421-3481
Fax: 202-453-6012
TTY: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Web: https://www.ed.gov/ocr