NOTE: Please also refer to the complete policy found in Section VII, page 46 of the Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan

Disability/Access Services
Framingham State University offers equal opportunities to all qualified students, including those with disabilities. The University is committed to making reasonable accommodations as necessary to ensure that its programs and activities do not discriminate, or have the effect of discriminating, on the basis of disability. Disability/Access Services works with students with ADD/ADHD, learning and psychiatric disabilities, students with mobility disabilities, students who are blind or low vision, students who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, and students with chronic medical conditions.

The Disability/Access Services Office reviews documentation and determines reasonable accommodations for qualified students. The purpose of accommodations, modifications, and/or auxiliary aids is to reduce or eliminate barriers that may exist because of a disability. Framingham State is not mandated by law to waive specific courses or academic requirements considered essential to a particular program or degree. Rather, Framingham State is mandated to ensure access and to modify existing requirements on a case-by-case basis in order to ensure that individuals are not discriminated against on the basis of their disability.

Procedure for Accessing Academic Accommodations

Upon admission or transfer to Framingham State, students with a disability must self-identify and provide appropriate verification of their disability to the Disability/Access Services Office in the Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA). Documentation will be reviewed in a timely manner and eligibility for reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be determined on an individual basis.
- The Disability/Access Services Office is responsible for evaluating the documentation submitted by the student. If further evaluation is needed, the Dean of Students may also review the documentation. The documentation will be retained in a confidential Registry for Students with Disabilities at CASA and will be accessible only to those making decisions regarding accommodations.
Following review of documentation, students who are requesting accommodations must meet with a Disability/Access Services staff member. Since some services require advance notice to arrange, sufficient lead time is necessary to ensure that modifications or auxiliary aids are available by the start of classes. Students with physical or sensory disabilities must give adequate notice to arrange accessible classrooms, to hire ASL interpreters/CART providers, or to obtain textbooks in an accessible format.
At the request of the student, accommodation letters will be prepared for faculty to confirm the presence of a disability and appropriate classroom or exam accommodations. Students should meet with faculty as early as possible to discuss arrangements for the semester. If, at any point, an instructor expresses concern about the academic accommodations stated in the CASA letter, the student is responsible for contacting the Disability/Access Services Office immediately.

Framingham State requires all students claiming a disability to submit documentation that verifies the disability. Documentation on file should:

State the specific diagnosed disability or disabilities.
Describe the functional limitations resulting from the disability or disabilities.
Be current within 3-5 years for learning disabilities and ADHD and within six months for psychiatric disabilities. NOTE: We will work with students who may have out-of-date documentation on an individual basis.
Include a complete educational, developmental or medical history relevant to the disability.
Include a list of test instruments used in evaluation and relevant subtest scores.
Make specific recommendation for accommodations, adaptive devices, assistive services, compensatory strategies and/or collateral support services requested.
Be typed or printed on official letterhead and be signed by an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis, including licensure or certification and area of specialization.

Accommodations
Reasonable accommodations are defined as any adjustment, alteration, or modification that allow a student with a documented disability to have equal access to University programs and activities. There is no guarantee all requested academic accommodations will be granted. Accommodations will be made on an individual basis, and may include but are not limited to:

Extended time on times quizzes and exams and exams in a reduced-distraction setting
Use of PC or adaptive technology during exams in CASA
Use of a calculator during exams
Use of an audio recorder in the classroom
ASL interpreters or CART providers in the classroom
FM transmitters in the classroom
Note-takers in the classroom
Use of a laptop for notetaking or access to assistive technology and textbooks in an accessible format in the classroom

Other accommodations can include:

Occasional absences due to a medical condition (notification only; does not override course attendance policy)
Meal plan modifications
Housing accommodations
Priority registration for courses

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students have the right to:

not be denied access due to disability.
receive reasonable accommodations which provide equal opportunity.
have access to auxiliary aids/assistive technology.
receive assistance from the Disability/Access Services Office in removing any academic, physical or attitudinal barriers.
not be discriminated against due to a disability or receive any retaliatory discrimination.
confidentiality of all documentation related to their disability.

Students have the responsibility to:

self-identify themselves to the Disability/Access Services Office.
provide documentation — with current functional limitations and recommendations for academic support — by a qualified practitioner.
present an accommodation letter to faculty.
provide sufficient notice for all accommodation requests including but not limited to adaptive technology, physically accessible classrooms, interpreters or texts in alternative format.
provide reasonable notice to the instructor and the Disability/Access Services Office when they will be testing at CASA, and to assume responsibility for testing procedures and notifying faculty and the Disability/Access Services Office accordingly.
meet the University’s graduation requirements.

For more information, please visit the website for Disability/Access Services in CASA:

https://www.framingham.edu/academics/center-for-academic-success-and-achievement/disability-access-services/index

Disability/Access Services Accommodations Appeals Policy

Students with disabilities who are requesting academic accommodations should follow the procedures for submitting qualified documentation to the Disability/Access Services in CASA. Any student who believes that reasonable accommodations have not been provided or who believes their rights have been denied by reason of a disability is permitted to file a complaint.

Level I: Informal Complaint
Students who wish to challenge an accommodation or who have a complaint about the accommodations they are receiving may file an informal complaint with the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of Disability/Access Services.

A. Instructor/Faculty: Students who qualify for academic accommodations must present in a timely manner to their instructor the Documentation Confirmation letter from Disability/Access Services. If a student believes the instructor is not providing the academic accommodation as indicated on the Documentation Confirmation letter, the student should make an appointment with the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of Disability/Access Services. The director will promptly evaluate the situation and attempt to find a resolution through informal means. The instructor will be notified and consulted for resolution.

B. Administrative: Students who believe they have not been given reasonable accommodations following review of documentation by Disability/Access Services may file a complaint. If the complaint is against the Coordinator of Access/Disability Services, the complaint will be made directly with the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of Disability/Access Services. If the complaint is against the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of Disability Services, the complaint will be made directly to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs or designee. The Provost will evaluate the situation and attempt to find a resolution through informal means.

Level II: Formal Complaint
If the complaint against and instructor/faculty member is unable to be resolved through informal discussion, or if the student disagrees with the outcome, a formal complaint may be filed with the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

A. Students should put their complaint in writing to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. The student’s name and address and a brief description of the issue in question should be included in the formal complaint.

B. The Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs will conduct an independent and thorough review of the complaint and render a recommendation for resolution in writing. Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs written recommendation will be mailed to the student, the Dean of the College of the student’s major, and the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of Disability/Access Services. If the complaint involves harassment or discrimination, the formal complaint may be filed with the Director of Equal Opportunity, Title IX and ADA Compliance, located in Human Resources.

A. Students should put their complaint in writing to the Director of Equal Opportunity, Title IX and ADA Compliance. The student’s name and address and a brief description of the issue in question should be included in the formal complaint.

B. The Director of Equal Opportunity, Title IX and ADA Compliance will conduct an independent and thorough review of the complaint and render a recommendation for resolution in writing. Director of Equal Opportunity, Title IX and ADA Compliance written recommendation will be mailed to the student, the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean of the College of the student’s major, and the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of Disability/Access Services.

Level III: Formal Appeal
If the student disagrees with the resolution recommended by the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs or the Director of Equal Opportunity, Title IX and ADA Compliance, the student may appeal the recommendation in writing within 10 business days of receipt of the decision. This appeal should be filed with the President of the University or designee.

A. Students should put their complaint in writing to the President of the University. The student’s name and address and a brief description of the issue in question should be included in the formal complaint.

B. The President or designee will conduct an independent and thorough review of the complaint and render a recommendation for resolution in writing. The President’s or designee’s written recommendation will be mailed to the student, the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean of the College of the student’s major, the Associate Dean of Academic Success and Director of Disability/Access Services and the Director of Equal Opportunity, Title IX and ADA Compliance.