Addressing Accommodation Concerns

Common questions and concerns

We understand that the accommodation process can be confusing. You can find relevant information on many pages of this website. However, if you have landed on this page directly, we recommend that you go through the following first:

Understanding the framework behind processes

• How accommodations are determined
• The laws and UW policies guiding accommodation process

Implementing accommodations

• The general process for implementing accommodations
• Detailed information on implementing specific accommodations
• Quick action guide for what to do when you receive a FNL

Your accessibility responsibilities

• Your responsibilities as an instructor
• Campus resources for making your classes and content more accessible

Many questions can also be answered by reviewing our FAQs.

Still have questions?

We’re here to help! Many questions and concerns about accommodations can be resolved by reaching out to the DRS Access Coordinator listed on the Faculty Notification Letter, Accommodation Letter, or in the myDRS portal. We can help assess if an accommodation needs to be reconsidered for your course, problem-solve implementation challenges, and answer questions about any part of the process.

What if an accommodation is unreasonable or doesn’t work in my course/program?

DRS has the designated role of facilitating the interactive process to determine reasonable academic accommodations. Occasionally more information about an individual course, program, or learning environment is needed in the evaluation. Instructors bring important knowledge about their specific course and learning environment to the determination of reasonableness.

If you have a concern about an accommodation listed on the Faculty Notification Letter or Accommodation Letter, reach out as soon as possible to the listed DRS Access Coordinator so they can learn more and work to determine solutions.

If, after an initial consultation with the DRS Access Coordinator, you object to an accommodation in your program or classroom, you can engage the Instructional Personnel Accommodation Reconsideration process as outlined below.

Instructional Personnel Accommodation Reconsideration Process

Faculty have the right to object to a Disability Resources for Students (DRS) approved academic adjustment or auxiliary aid in their program or classroom if they have concerns about the impact to the educational delivery or outcome of the course. Below are the steps to engage in a process to raise the concern for discussion and review. In all cases the approved accommodation will need to be active and implemented during the dispute resolution process until an alternative decision, if any, is made to modify or alter it.

Step 1

• Upon receipt of a DRS Faculty Notification Letter (FNL), with stated approved accommodations, faculty need to immediately engage with the listed DRS Access Coordinator to seek a consultation regarding the specific concerns.
• DRS Staff and course Faculty will engage in a review of the accommodation and the perceived impacts of implementation in the course/program. DRS will review the student file and approval process to attempt to resolve/address faculty concerns as soon as possible.
• If needed, DRS staff will engage in the fundamental alteration process to review concerns per the relevant decision making framework and engage as necessary the faculty/academic department. DRS will share outcomes and decision of process with course/program Faculty.

Step 2

• If Faculty disagrees with DRS final determination in Step 1, they will have 10 business days from receiving any notice to submit their concerns and dispute to identified administrators in Compliance Services and Academic Student Affairs (e.g., ADA/Section 504 Coordinator and Vice Provost for Academic and Student Affairs) for appeal.
• The identified administrators, or stated designee(s), will have 15 business days once the case is received to engage with faculty, DRS, student, and work out a final determination.
• If agreement cannot be reached at the end of an Compliance Services/Academic Student Affairs review:
  • The student will be notified of their right to file a grievance or complaint via UW UCIRO and/or OCR.
  • The identified administrators, or stated designee(s), will advise the next level of administration of the impasse.

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