Policies

• Confidentiality
• Denial & Grievance
• Publications
• Activities & Events

Confidentiality

Lesley University is committed to ensuring that all student disability information is maintained confidentially. Disability related information should be treated as medical information and handled under strict rules of confidentiality. A student's documentation is filed securely with Disability Services. It is not kept with any other student records on campus. As such, the information can only be shared on a limited "need to know" basis within the institutional community.

Accommodation letters contain only the accommodation information, and not specifics of the disability. A student may chose to disclose more with faculty, but are not obligated to do so.

Denial and Grievance

At times Disability Services may determine that a request for accommodation(s) can not be granted or an existing accommodation should not continue. Reasons for such action include but are not limited to:

• Documentation does not identify student as having a disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
• Documentation is insufficient and/or does not comply with Lesley University Documentation Guidelines, eg, not current, evaluator/specialist does not have appropriate licensure.
• Student is not otherwise qualified.
• Accommodation conflicts with the essential components of a course and/or degree program.
• Request is not made in a timely fashion.
• Request is a personal service.
• Student or accommodation posses a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
• Accommodation creates an undue financial or administrative burden.

Grievance

Disability Services works with various University personnel and students with disabilities to resolve disagreements regarding accommodations. Lesley University has a formal and informal grievance process. Please see: Lesley University Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment Policy for details.

Publications

All publications generated at the university should include a statement in the front of the publication that informs the reader that the publication is available in alternate format. The statement should read as follows:

Information included in this publication is available in alternate format upon request.

Activities and Events

Every event, activity and program hosted or planned by the university and open to the campus community and beyond, should be accessible to persons with disabilities. Before any facility is selected for an event, check to see if the area is physically accessible to those with disabilities. Also, off-campus university activities and programs need to be accessible. If you have questions about the accessibility of a particular space on campus, please contact Laura Patey, Coordinator of Disability Services for Students.

If the event is publicized, provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to request special accommodations. Special accommodations can include alternate printed materials, interpreters for the deaf, assertive listening devices, etc. To find out if special accommodations are needed, list the following statement on all applications, registration and program announcements:

Individuals with disabilities requiring special accommodations, should contact (person coordinating program) at (phone number and email).