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Michelle Hardley
Director of Academic Advising and Disability Services
805.565.6159
mhardley@westmont.edu

Beth Lemons
Assistant for Academic Advising and Disability Services
805.565.6135
blemons@westmont.edu

Rights and Responsibilities

The rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities receiving services at the college level differ from the K-12 school system. Education at the K-12 level is considered mandatory education, and these types of services are provided to ensure that all students are able to receive an education. Education at the post-secondary level is voluntary, which means the Disability Services office will provide accommodations to the student, but cannot mandate that they use services to which they are entitled.

As adults, our students have the right to choose whether or not they work with the Disability Services office. If a student with a disability does not want to work with our office or fails to follow the procedures required to receive an accommodation, that accommodation will not be given.

Responsibility of the Disability Service Office

The director is responsible for providing services and accommodations in a manner that promotes independence, self-advocacy, and accountability for students with disabilities. The director will:

• Provide information regarding the Disability Services office, accommodations and the initial paperwork needed for services.
• Receive and evaluate the documentation of a disability for eligibility for the necessary accommodations.
• Maintain a confidential file with documentation and past accommodations.
• Receive and facilitate requests for reasonable accommodations.
• Assist in communication with faculty members and advisers regarding classroom accommodations.
• Provide resources and referrals to campus and community services.

Responsibilities of the Students

The choice and initiative to request reasonable accommodations rests with the student. The students are responsible for providing documentation to verify their disability and to follow the procedures for receiving those accommodations. Failure to follow those procedures can result in a delay or inability to receive the services needed.

• Provide appropriate documentation and verification of disability to the director of disability services.
• Arrange a meeting with the director at the beginning of each semester or as soon as a service is necessary to request accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are determined by available college resources of people and facilities and clear communication between the parties involved.
• Give professors a copy of the accommodation letter to verify your disability and communicate the appropriate accommodations for each course.
• Follow the procedures required in order to receive the needed services in a timely manner.
• Communicate with the director when additional information is needed in order to provide an accommodation.
• Meet all academic and behavioral standards set by Westmont and individual faculty members. A faculty member will not modify essential course structure or grading policies because they have a student with a disability in their course.
• Advise the director if there are any problems they perceive from faculty, staff or students regarding their accommodations or other disability related issues.

Grievance Procedure

Students may appeal decisions regarding requested accommodations as a student with disabilities with a written complaint sent to the AD A/Section 504 Compliance Officer, Toya Cooper. The student will receive an initial written acknowledgement from the compliance officer generally within five working days following receipt of the written complaint. As soon as possible thereafter, the student will receive a written response to his or her complaint. If the complaint is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, he or she may appeal to the provost as the final level of review. This final appeal must be made in writing to the provost, generally within 10 days following receipt of the written response to the student’s complaint and specify the reason(s) for the appeal.

At the time of the appeal, the provost will make the final determination as to the process for reviewing and responding to the appeal (including who will be involved and the projected timeline for reviewing and responding to the appeal). As soon as possible following receipt of any written report and recommendations from the(se) reviewer(s), the provost will issue a final decision in writing to the student.