Law School Disability Accommodation Policy

Introduction

Policy Statement
Washington and Lee University School of Law is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities to qualified students with physical or mental disabilities, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Applicability
This policy applies to all law students.

Definitions

There are no definitions applicable to this policy.

Policy

Students requesting accommodation must provide appropriate documentation of: (1) a disability, which is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; and (2) a need for accommodation, by virtue of the specific functional limitations of the disability, to have equal access to educational opportunities.The School of Law intends that these procedures will facilitate an interactive process of dialogue and timely exchange of information between the student and the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

It is the responsibility of a student with a physical or mental disability who may require any type of accommodation to make the accommodation request in a timely manner. In order to allow sufficient time for the eligibility and accommodation decision process and to make arrangements for appropriate accommodations, the student should contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs [hereinafter "Assistant Dean"], Sydney Lewis Hall, Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia 24450, (540) 458-8528, within one business week of the start of the academic term. The student will need to complete a "Request for Accommodation of Disability" form and an interview with the Assistant Dean, after which the Assistant Dean will inform the student about any further specific documentation required for the particular disability and accommodation requested. Untimely requests may result in delay, substitution, or denial of accommodation, though the Assistant Dean will make a reasonable effort to accommodate such requests.

Upon receipt of all required information and documentation from the student and his/her diagnosing/evaluating professional, the Assistant Dean will make the eligibility and accommodation determinations. The Assistant Dean may consult with other educational, medical, or psychological professionals, as he/she deems necessary for appropriate evaluation of disability/accommodation, on a case by case basis. As soon as possible, preferably within two business weeks of receiving all required documentation on the request, the Assistant Dean will issue a written response, either outlining offered accommodations or explaining why the student was found ineligible. A student who disagrees with the decision of the Assistant Dean, or who seeks clarification of the decision, may, within three (3) business days of the decision, request an informal meeting with the Assistant Dean for clarification or to request reconsideration of any aspect of the decision. Following the meeting, the Assistant Dean will notify the student in writing of any change in his/her decision, preferably within five (5) business days of the informal meeting. Thereafter, if the student still disagrees with the decision, he/she may appeal the decision, in writing, to the Provost of the University or designee within five (5) business days of the written notification from the Assistant Dean, stating in detail the basis for the appeal and furnishing all documentation in support of the appeal. The Provost or designee will then review the appeal, the decision of the Assistant Dean, and all supporting documentation, may meet with the student and the Assistant Dean, and may obtain any additional information he/she deems relevant. The Provost or designee will render a written decision to the student as soon as possible, preferably within two (2) business weeks of receiving the appeal. The decision of the Provost or designee is final.