Accommodation Appeals Process
Generally, students have the right to informally engage with SAS staff regarding accommodation request decisions. Formally, there are two levels of appeal that require various levels of student engagement. For appeals that reach Step 2 or Step 3 of the appeals process, students will be notified of the outcome in writing via email within 10 (ten) business days.
Steps to Appeal
If a student believes that a Student Accessibility Services staff member has not determined the appropriate accommodations, the student has a right to provide additional information through an interactive conversation with the originating staff member and/or by providing them with additional relevant documentation.
It is the student’s responsibility to initiate this informal means of resolution via email or by scheduling a follow-up appointment through Accommodate.
If a student believes that a Student Accessibility Services staff member has not determined the appropriate accommodations and has not been able to reach an informal resolution, the student has the right to submit an appeal to the Assistant Dean of Students - Student Accessibility Services.
This level of appeal includes the submission of the linked form and an interactive conversation with the Assistant Dean of Students - Student Accessibility Services. Once the form is received, a member of the SAS team will connect with you to schedule a meeting time.
Appeals received more than thirty (30) business days from the Step 1 decision letter sent date will be reviewed but may be directed back to the originating staff member for follow-up based on the information provided.
If a student has engaged in Step 1 and Step 2 of the appeals process and still believes they have not been provided the appropriate accommodation by SAS staff, the student has the right to a final level of appeal with Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students or designee. Students have up to ten (10) business days from the Step 2 decision letter sent date to submit an appeal, via this online form.
An appeal of this level is limited to a process review including: the submitted appeal form, the individual accommodations process, any previously provided documentation, and any student and staff engagement.
If a student believes that a Student Accessibility Services staff member has not determined the appropriate accommodations, the student has a right to provide additional information through an interactive conversation with the originating staff member and/or by providing them with additional relevant documentation.
It is the student’s responsibility to initiate this informal means of resolution via email or by scheduling a follow-up appointment through Accommodate.
If a student believes that a Student Accessibility Services staff member has not determined the appropriate accommodations and has not been able to reach an informal resolution, the student has the right to submit an appeal to the Assistant Dean of Students - Student Accessibility Services.
This level of appeal includes the submission of the linked form and an interactive conversation with the Assistant Dean of Students - Student Accessibility Services. Once the form is received, a member of the SAS team will connect with you to schedule a meeting time.
Appeals received more than thirty (30) business days from the Step 1 decision letter sent date will be reviewed but may be directed back to the originating staff member for follow-up based on the information provided.
If a student has engaged in Step 1 and Step 2 of the appeals process and still believes they have not been provided the appropriate accommodation by SAS staff, the student has the right to a final level of appeal with Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students or designee. Students have up to ten (10) business days from the Step 2 decision letter sent date to submit an appeal, via this online form.
An appeal of this level is limited to a process review including: the submitted appeal form, the individual accommodations process, any previously provided documentation, and any student and staff engagement.
If you feel you have been discriminated against, you may contact the Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC), 117 Gilchrist, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0028, 319-273-2846, civilrights@uni.edu.