Disability Qualifications

To benefit from the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a person must have a disability. A person with a disability is one who either:

  • Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity;
  • Has a record or history of such an impairment; or
  • Is regarded as having such impairment.

Peer Success Coaching

Disability Services partners with the Peer Success Coaching program in the Learning Commons for coaching on a variety of matters, including building campus relationships, managing time, setting goals, balancing responsibilities, developing study skills, navigating the university, optimizing your learning environment, and accessing campus resources.

Self-Advocacy Coaching for Students with Disabilities

One-on-one virtual coaching sessions for RU students with disabilities cover self-advocacy and the fundamentals of access and success. Make an appointment with Rebecca Berezin now, or email rberezin@roosevelt.edu with questions.

Examples of Accommodations

The following is a non-exhaustive list of the most common accommodations:

  • Extended time on exams
  • Alternative environment for exams
  • Extended time on assignments
  • Occasional absences
  • In-class breaks
  • Note taker
  • Use of a recorder in class
  • Use of a calculator for exams and assignments
  • Use of a reader or scribe for exams and assignments
  • Use of a word processor for exams and assignments

National Organizations for College Students with Disabilities

The NCCSD is the only federally-funded national center in the U.S. that was established to provide technical assistance to students with any type of disability of any age in any type of program.

Accommodation Appeal Process

Disability Services is housed in the Learning Commons at Roosevelt University and is committed to providing equal access to education through effective and appropriate academic accommodations and support services.

Roosevelt University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which afford protection from discrimination for otherwise qualified students with disabilities.

The following outlines the process for students to appeal decisions regarding disability accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Informal Review of Accommodation Decision

If a student disputes an accommodation decision, the student may request an informal review of the decision by submitting a written request to the Assistant Director of Disability Services or Disability Services Specialist (hereinafter “Specialist”) to review the decision. This request for an informal review must be submitted within 5 business days of the accommodation decision.

The student shall work with the Assistant Director or Specialist to schedule a mutually convenient meeting in which the student shall explain the basis for requesting a review and provide any additional supporting materials for consideration and review by the Specialist. The Specialist shall respond to the informal request for review with a decision no more than 3 business days after meeting with the student.

Formal Appeal of Accommodation Decision

Students may file a formal appeal in writing to the Executive Director of Libraries and Academic Support to appeal an accommodation decision after the informal review by the Assistant Director or Specialist if:

  • They believe there was a procedural error in the accommodation decision process.
  • New information or documentation relevant to the decision has become available.
  • They perceive bias or discrimination in the decision-making process.
  • They disagree with the determination of their disability status or the denial of an accommodation request.

An appeal must be submitted in writing within 10 days of the informal review decision to the Executive Director of Libraries and Academic Support. The appeal shall include a written statement of the grounds for appeal, the desired outcome, any relevant information to the appeal and copies of the following relevant supporting documentation: accommodation letter, supporting documents, and written findings previously issued.

The Executive Director of Libraries and Academic Support shall respond with a decision in writing within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal. The Executive Director of the Learning Commons shall apply a reasonable standard of review and shall come to a determination to either uphold the informal review decision or rescind the informal review decision.

The decision of the Executive Director of Libraries and Academic Support is final and concludes the University’s internal accommodation appeal process.

Questions about this page?

Questions about this page?

Disability Services Specialist