The accommodations process is collaborative one between the student, the instructor, and ODS. Students who need to resolve an accommodation or staff concern, or file a grade grievance or ADA/504 complaint, should review the information below to determine the appropriate procedure and steps.
Resolving accommodation requests denied by ODS
The following process applies to accommodation requests that are denied by ODS.
In order to offer a good faith discussion of the student’s needs in conjunction with The University of Alabama’s course and/or program requirements, the following process will be followed in the case that a student’s request for an academic accommodation is denied.
Step 1: The student must provide a written appeal to the ODS Executive Director seeking a formal reconsideration of the requested accommodation. Alternative means of filing the reconsideration, such as personal interview or audio recording, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request. The reconsideration request must include the following information:
- The requested accommodation
- The functional limitations of the student’s disability that would be remedied by the requested accommodation,
- Any other pertinent information or supporting documentation that the student would like to share.
ODS Executive Director
Vanessa Goepel
vanessa.goepel@ua.edu
205-348-4285
Step 2: Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the reconsideration, the ODS Executive Director or designee will contact the student to discuss possible resolutions.
Step 3: Within 15 calendar days of this communication, the ODS Executive Director or designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio recording. The response will explain the position of the University of Alabama and offer any options for resolution.
Step 4: If the response by the ODS Executive Director or designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the student may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the Provost or designee within the Office of Academic Affairs.
Step 5: The Provost or designee will gather information and render a final decision that will be communicated to all parties.
Resolving accommodations that were not provided by instructors
The following process applies to students who have been approved to receive accommodations, and believe that an instructor or staff member has not provided an approved accommodation.
Step 1: If informal discussions with the instructor have not resolved the issue, the student must contact their assigned Accommodations Specialist. The Accommodations Specialist will attempt to resolve the issue by communicating with the instructor.
Step 2: If unsatisfied with the resolution offered by the Accommodations Specialist, the student may formally request intervention, in writing, by the ODS Executive Director. Alternative means of filing the reconsideration, such as personal interview or audio recording, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request. Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the request, the ODS Executive Director or designee will contact the student to discuss possible resolutions. The appeal must include the following information:
- The requested accommodation
- Details explaining how the accommodation was not provided
- Any other pertinent information the student would like to share
ODS Executive Director
Vanessa Goepel
vanessa.goepel@ua.edu
205-348-4285
Step 3: The ODS Executive Director or designee shall contact the appropriate UA personnel, which may include the academic department and/or Dean’s Office, to resolve the issue. Within 15 calendar days of the initial communication, the ODS Executive Director or designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio recording. The response will explain the position of the University of Alabama and offer any options for resolution.
Step 4: If the response by the ODS Executive Director or designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the student may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the Provost or designee within the Office of Academic Affairs.
Step 5: The Provost or designee will gather information and render a final decision that will be communicated to all parties.
Resolving a complaint regarding ODS staff
The following process applies when a student wishes to file a complaint against an ODS staff member.
ODS is part of UA’s Office for Academic Affairs. All complaints related to services and/or experiences with ODS should be reported to the ODS Executive Director.
ODS Executive Director
Vanessa Goepel
vanessa.goepel@ua.edu
205-348-4285
If the complaint is not resolved through this process, students, faculty, and staff may file a complaint with the Associate Provost for Administration:
Associate Provost for Administration
Office of Academic Affairs
254 Rose Administration Building
Box 870114
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0114
Phone: 205-348-4890
Fax: 205-348-9137
Email: provost@ua.edu
Submitting an academic or grade grievance
The following process applies to students who wish to grieve a grade or academic decision. This process rests with the academic department, and ODS has no jurisdiction over this process.
If you disagree with an academic decision, grade, or application of course policy that is unrelated to the receipt of accommodations, you may file an Academic Grievance. The Academic Grievance procedures can be found in the UA Faculty Handbook, Appendix D: University-Wide Academic Grievance Procedures
Submitting an ADA / Section 504 complaint
The following process applies when a student believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability.
The University of Alabama is committed to ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students alleging discrimination, or who believe that their request for a non-academic, disability-related accommodation was improperly denied, in whole or in part, may appeal that decision to the UA Compliance Officer/ADA Coordinator:
Office of Equal Opportunity Programs
2416 Capital Hall
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Box 870300
Phone: (205) 348-5855
TDD: (205) 348-5573
Fax: (205) 348-7153
Students also have a right to file a formal complaint with the Regional Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Atlanta Office, 61 Forsythe St. SW, Suite 19T70, Atlanta, GA 30301-3104 (404-562-6350; 1-800-621-3115).