Texas Woman's University

Texas Woman's University
University Policy Manual  
 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Texas Woman’s University Policy is to outline procedures to provide equal access and reasonable accommodations to qualified students, employees, and members of the public who participate in University activities and programs (for students and employees, this policy is referring to activities and programs that are outside the classroom or work environment).

POLICY

In accordance with Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Texas Woman’s University will make reasonable accommodations to ensure equal opportunity and access for qualified members of the public who wish to participate in applicable programs, activities and facilities. Requests determined to be unreasonable by the University will be denied.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Students:

If the request is related to participation in an academic program, it should be directed to the Disability Support Services office.  http://www.twu.edu/dss/

If the request is to accommodate currently enrolled students in attending an on campus activity not related to the student’s academic program, the request should be directed to the department sponsoring the event.

Employees:

If an employee is requesting an accommodation for the workplace, the request should be directed to the Office of Human Resources See TWU Policy 3.14.

If a TWU employment applicant is requesting an accommodation, the request should be directed to the Office of Human Resources.  Please refer to the TWU Employment ADA Hiring Guide located within the ADA Policy 3.14.

If an employee is requesting an accommodation to attend an on campus activity, the request should be directed to the department sponsoring the event.

The Public:

If a member of the public, including a prospective student, is requesting an accommodation to attend a University sponsored event, the request should be directed to the department sponsoring the event.

Event sponsors should indicate a contact point in all event publications for ADA requests.

Funding:

Academic related ADA accommodations for individual students will be funded through the Disability Support Services office.

Employment related ADA accommodations for eligible employees, or applicants will be funded through the Office of Human Resources.

Accommodations related to public events will be funded by the department sponsoring the event.

Training:

The Disability Support Services office will provide training to departments who sponsor University events and the University community relevant to student academic requests.

The Office of Human Resources will provide training to the University community relevant to employment.

PROCEDURES

The University department or organization responsible for the program, activity, or facility to which the individual is requesting access will work with the appropriate University departments and/or federal or state agency to ensure that reasonable accommodations are made.

To assure equal access, the responsible department or organization should encourage participants to request special accommodations or auxiliary aids at least two weeks in advance of the need.  However, a program may not refuse to provide an accommodation because the request was not made by the designated deadline; requests made with less than a two week advance notice will be reviewed and a decision made based on the University's ability to make the accommodation in the time-frame the notice is given.

Registration materials and program announcements, which include bulletins, flyers, brochures, letters and public service announcements, or other materials used to inform the public of the event or program, must include the following statement: To request a special accommodation, please contact (name, host department) at (phone number) no less than two weeks prior to event. An accommodation request may not be honored with less than two weeks notice.

Proof of disability may be required if the disability is not evident.

The University assumes no responsibility for personal assistants (i.e. individual caregivers) or for specialized medical care/equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, etc.).

POLICY INTERPRETATION AND APPEALS

Where questions or conflicts arise, or an appeal is requested, the ADA Equal Access Coordination Committee will review and provide recommendations to the ADA officer.

APPROVALS

Policy Review: Vice President for Finance and Administration
Approved:       Chancellor and President