Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Grievance Policy

Policy Number: #200

Responsible Executive(s):

  • Provost

Responsible Office(s):

  • Office of Student Disability Services, Title IX Coordinator

Date Adopted: 07-01-2019

Date Revised: 06-16-2026

Scope

  1. This policy applies to requests for accommodations made by students.
  2. This policy does not apply to requests for accommodations made by university employees.

Policy

  1. Employees with concerns about the requests for accommodation should contact:
    • Associate Vice President of Human Resources
    • 303.458.4197
    • 3333 Regis Blvd., K-4, Denver, CO 80221, Denver, Colorado.
  2. Prohibited Discriminatory Actions
    1. A recipient, in providing any aid, benefit, or service, may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, on the basis of handicap:
      1. Deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service;
      2. Afford a qualified handicapped person an opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is not equal to that afforded others;
      3. Provide a qualified handicapped person with an aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective as that provided to others;
      4. Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to handicapped persons or to any class of handicapped persons unless such action is necessary to provide qualified handicapped persons with aid, benefits, or services that are as effective as those provided to others;
      5. Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a qualified handicapped person by providing significant assistance to an agency, organization, or person that discriminates on the basis of handicap in providing any aid, benefit, or service to beneficiaries of the recipient's program or activity;
      6. Deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to participate as a member of planning or advisory boards; or
      7. Otherwise limit a qualified handicapped person in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by others receiving an aid, benefit, or service.
    2. For purposes of this part, aids, benefits, and services, to be equally effective, are not required to produce the identical result or level of achievement for handicapped and nonhandicapped persons, but must afford handicapped persons equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement, in the most integrated setting appropriate to the person's needs.
    3. Despite the existence of separate or different aid, benefits, or services provided in accordance with this part, a recipient may not deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to participate in such aid, benefits, or services that are not separate or different.
    4. A recipient may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration
      1. that have the effect of subjecting qualified handicapped persons to discrimination on the basis of handicap,
      2. that have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the recipient's program or activity with respect to handicapped persons, or
      3. that perpetuate the discrimination of another recipient if both recipients are subject to common administrative control or are agencies of the same State.
    5. In determining the site or location of a facility, an applicant for assistance or a recipient may not make selections
      1. that have the effect of excluding handicapped persons from, denying them the benefits of, or otherwise subjecting them to discrimination under any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance or
      2. that have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of the program or activity with respect to handicapped persons.
    6. As used in this section, the aid, benefit, or service provided under a program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance includes any aid, benefit, or service provided in or through a facility that has been constructed, expanded, altered, leased or rented, or otherwise acquired, in whole or in part, with Federal financial assistance.
  3. Discrimination Complaints (separate from Accommodation Complaints)
    1. Complaints of alleged discrimination on the basis of a disability, such as discrimination, harassment or retaliation ("Complaints of Discrimination") are not covered by this Grievance Policy and should be filed with the EO and Title IX Coordinator under the Regis University Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy.
    2. If a complaint concerns both Accommodation Complaints and Complaints of Discrimination, the investigation will be conducted under the University's Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy, but the elements and timeframe for filing an Accommodation Complaint will be governed by this Grievance Policy.
    3. No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives Federal financial assistance.
  4. While the grievance process is ongoing, all parties are expected to continue with the accommodations process as outlined in the original determination until the process is complete.
  5. If a student believes that an action of Regis University regarding a request for an accommodation due to a disability violates the student's rights, the student may file a complaint through the following procedures:
  6. Accommodation complaints can include a determination whether the student does or does not have a disability and decisions to provide or not provide adjustments such as accommodated and extended time testing procedures, books in alternative formats, note taker accommodations, adaptive equipment, interpreter services, service animals/emotional support animals and access to facilities/medically approved housing ("Accommodation Complaints"). Accommodation Complaints are covered by this Grievance Policy.
  7. Accommodation Complaints should always be resolved at the lowest level possible. Therefore, the student should make reasonable efforts to achieve a resolution by discussing the issue with the Student Disability Services' employee member most familiar with the situation. Often a resolution can be achieved by making an appointment with the staff member and honestly and specifically communicating concerns or…
  8. If the Student feels that a satisfactory resolution has not been achieved with the previous Student Disability Services employee they worked with, then they should make an appointment to discuss the matter with the Director of Student Disability Services. The complainant should be prepared to share the following with the Director during the meeting:
    • the nature of the concern,
    • relevant dates,
    • information about attempts to resolve the complaint,
    • outcomes of the attempts to resolve the complaint
  9. Formal Grievance: If all reasonable efforts to resolve a complaint informally fail, the complainant may file a formal grievance (Accommodation Complaint) using this policy. An Accommodation Complaint is filed by sending it to:

    Title IX & Equal Opportunity Coordinator – Regis University
    Drew Armfield
    3333 Regis Boulevard
    Denver, CO 80221

    Main Hall 131
    303.964.6435
    darmfield@regis.edu

  10. Preliminary Inquiries: An Accommodation Complaint should be filed promptly, within five (5) days of meeting with the Director of Student Disability Services. The Accommodation Complaint should provide as much detail as possible, including supporting documentation and specify the factual basis for the complaint including when it occurred, whom took the action, and why the action was improper. The University encourages reports to be made in good faith, even if incomplete or erroneous, but will not tolerate intentional or malicious false reporting.
  11. After receiving an Accommodation Complaint, the Coordinator or designee may request additional information and may elect to conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether there is reasonable suspicion that the allegations, if found to be true, would be a violation of the student's rights under the Rehabilitation Act. During the preliminary inquiry, the Coordinator or designee may meet with witnesses, receive statements from the complainant(s), respondent(s) and/or other witnesses, and gather information regarding the allegations. The Coordinator will decide if the matter can be resolved by a preliminary inquiry or whether to proceed with an investigation.
  12. Investigation: If an investigation is deemed to be appropriate, the Coordinator or designee shall advise the Complainant and Respondent of the allegations being investigated in writing and conduct the investigation. The investigation process is determined by the complainant and the person(s) against whom the allegation(s) of discrimination have been made, and their respective witnesses, may submit information and documentation regarding the complaint allegations to the investigator. The investigator has the discretion to determine if a witness has relevant information.
    1. The parties and witnesses may not be represented by an advisor or legal counsel during an inquiry or investigation.
    2. The investigation's findings shall be based on the preponderance of evidence standard of proof.
  13. Determination: Upon completion of the investigation, the Coordinator or designee shall issue a written decision to the complainant and respondent, typically within forty-five (45) workdays of the receipt of the complaint.
  14. Retaliation: Retaliation against a person who files a complaint under this grievance policy, participates in an investigation as a party or witness, or opposes a discriminatory education practice or policy is prohibited under University policy, and by state and federal laws. Any allegation of retaliation shall be subject to this Grievance Policy.