Student Disability Resolution Procedures

The University of Maryland does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities. 

The University has adopted the University of Maryland Disability & Accessibility Policy and Procedures (UMD Policy No. VI-1.00(D) (the “Disability Policy”) to govern the provision of accommodations to members of the University community. Students who need academic or on-campus housing accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility and Disability Service (“ADS”). For other forms of accommodations, students should contact the unit of the University directly involved.

In certain cases, students may have concerns or complaints about University-provided disability accommodations, services, denials, the accommodation process, or compliance with approved accommodations by University employees. In such cases, students can utilize the processes described below to attempt to resolve such concerns or lodge complaints.

While students are strongly encouraged to follow the steps in this procedure, a student need not go through each step herein before making a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education or the Department of Justice. Contact information for these agencies is also listed below.

There may be many reasons why students have disability access concerns or complaints, including but not limited to disability academic accommodations:

• A requested accommodation was not approved because there was a determination that the condition/documentation did not support the requested accommodation;
• The requested accommodation was deemed not reasonable (i.e. because it would constitute a Fundamental Alteration of the program, an Undue Administrative or Financial Burden, a Direct Threat to health and safety, etc.);
• The individual contends that the approved accommodation is not effective;
• The student believes that the approved accommodation has not been properly implemented (i.e. failure to provide notes, inappropriate test conditions, failure to provide approved schedule adjustments);
• The student feels that they were subject to a discriminatory policy or procedure; and/or 
   
• The student felt that sensitive disability information was improperly disclosed.
   

The University has adopted the following review and complaint procedures to resolve these or other concerns or complaints that students may have about the accommodation process:

Before filing a formal complaint with the University, students are asked to make a good faith effort to utilize one of the review and resolution processes set forth below. Every reasonable effort should be made to resolve such an issue at this level:

The Office of Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) is the unit at the University of Maryland which determines reasonable accommodations for students in most situations, pursuant to the Disability Policy. As set forth in the Disability Policy, reasonable accommodations shall be made in a timely manner and on an individualized and flexible basis. If a student does not agree with the identified accommodations made available and offered to the student, ADS has an appeal process that the student is encouraged to follow.

Upon receipt of the Reasonable Accommodation Appeal Form, the ADS Appeals Committee will review all submitted information. If deemed necessary, a member of the ADS Appeals Committee will meet with the student to discuss the concern and obtain clarifying information. In most cases, the ADS Appeals Committee will notify the student in writing via their UMD email address of the final decision within fifteen (15) days of receiving the Reasonable Accommodation Appeal Form.

Please note that in cases involving academic concerns or objections to a requested accommodation, the final decision regarding the requested accommodation may be made by a designated academic official, and not ADS, as set forth in Section III.3.A.3 of the Disability Policy.

The University of Maryland Ombuds Services. An ombuds is a person who can be consulted by members of the university community who want information about University policies relating to their activities or who encounter problems that they cannot resolve through ordinary means (e.g., student to faculty member, staff to supervisor, faculty member to department chair). An ombuds listens to concerns, brainstorms strategies to address the concerns, provides resources and information, and tries to assist in addressing the concerns. Sometimes the ombuds simply listens and helps to develop strategies for addressing concerns. At other times, with permission from the student, the ombuds contacts other involved parties and attempts to work out mutually satisfactory solutions

Other issues not related to academics, should first be directed to the department involved to determine if an informal resolution can be obtained.

If at any time an individual has questions or is not sure about their options, they may reach out to the ADA Coordinator to consult. Phone: 301-405-2841 or email: adacoordinator@umd.edu.

If the matter is still not resolved, individuals who believe they have been denied reasonable accommodations, discriminated against on the basis of disability, or retaliated against may file a complaint under the UMD Non-Discrimination Policy with the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM) using the Discrimination Complaint Form.

Students also have the right at any time to file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. The Office of Civil Rights investigates timely complaints for which they have jurisdiction.

Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education
Philadelphia Office (Regional Office for Maryland)
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East, Suite 515
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3323
Phone: 215-656-8541
FAX: 215-656-8605
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.Philadelphia@ed.gov
Website: Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education

Students can also file an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint through the U.S. Department of Justice alleging disability discrimination.

US Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section 1425 NYAV
Washington, D.C. 20530
Fax: (202) 307-1197
Website: Americans with Disabilities Act complaints through the US Department of Justice
If you have questions about filing an ADA complaint, please call:
ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383(TTY).

Updated April 15, 2024