Grievance Policy for Denials of Accommodation Requests

Students have a right to appeal the process in which accommodations are provided. The process to which students may obtain accommodations is indicated on our website. Students may appeal when they believe there was significant procedural error of a nature sufficient to have materially and detrimentally affected the outcome of receiving reasonable accommodations. Appeals not related to this basis will not be considered. Appeals shall not be based upon or granted due to dissatisfaction with the provided accommodation.

To submit an appeal, a student must first submit a letter of appeal within 7 days of receipt of accommodation letter. The appeal must be delivered to the Director of DSS within 7 days of receipt of the accommodation letter. A statement of appeal must be in writing, must specify the grounds on which the appeal is based, must describe the accommodation provided by RISD, and must set forth and explain in detail any relevant information.

The Director [or Director’s designee] will review the appeal and materials submitted, request additional materials or statements as needed according to the Director’s discretion, and provide a written response to the student.

Appeals written by third parties will not be accepted.

If a student believes that they are being denied access to their accommodations granted by RISD, please contact disabilitysupportservices@risd.edu as soon as possible.

Rhode Island School of Design prohibits discrimination against any individual on the basis of disability in any of its programs and activities, including without limitation admissions, financial aid, housing, educational programs, and employment. Please visit the page linked below for more information.

https://www.risd.edu/about/policies-disclosures/

Questions about this procedure should be directed to a representative from Disability Support Services:

Disability Support Services
Rhode Island School of Design
Two College Street
Providence, RI 02903
disabilitysupportservices@risd.edu
401 709-8460

In addition, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, which generally prohibits disability discrimination at academic institutions. Inquiries may be addressed to OCR’s New England regional office at:

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02109-3921
617 289-0111 direct
617 289-0150 fax

1. In certain circumstances, such as employment matters, disability-related grievances may instead be filed with RISD Human Resources. In such cases, the Director may work together with the Human Resources to investigate and resolve the complaint. Complaints about the Director should be filed with the Associate Dean of Students, who will then fulfill the role of the Director outlined in this procedure.
2. To the extent that the complaint implicates another RISD proceeding, such as a disciplinary hearing under the Code of Student Conduct, a grade grievance, or an employment-related grievance, the Director may also forward copy of the report or recommendation to the official responsible for conducting that proceeding, who may take the information into account in conducting that proceeding.