Appeals and Grievances | Student Life | University of Nebraska at Omaha

Appeals & Grievances

Accommodation Appeal Process

The Accessibility Services Center (ASC) is responsible for evaluating all relevant information when determining reasonable accommodations through an individualized interactive process. If a student disagrees with an accommodation decision, including the denial, modification, or removal of an accommodation, the student may request a review through the ASC Accommodation Appeal Process. Consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the appeal process provides an opportunity for additional review of accommodation determinations. Appeals must be initiated by the student and cannot be submitted by a parent, healthcare provider, attorney, or other third party on the student's behalf. The appeal process is intended to provide a fair, transparent, and timely review of accommodation decisions.

Step 1: Receive an Accommodation Decision

When ASC is unable to approve a requested accommodation, the student receives a written explanation of the determination, including the rationale for the decision and information about the appeal process.

A link to the appeal form is included in non-approval communications.

Step 2: Submit an Appeal

Students who disagree with an accommodation determination may submit an Accommodation Appeal Form. The appeal should explain:

The specific accommodation being appealed.
Why the student believes the accommodation is necessary.
The disability-related barriers that remain without the accommodation.
Situations in which the accommodation would be needed.
Any additional information, documentation, or relevant context the student would like ASC to consider.

Step 3: Appeal Review

Appeals are reviewed by an ASC administrator who was not involved in making the original accommodation determination. As part of the review, ASC will:

Review the information considered during the original determination.
Review any new information submitted by the student.

Step 4: Appeal Meeting (if Needed)

An appeal meeting is an opportunity to talk about the decision directly with a second person. The meeting will genearally include the following:

Reviewing the information used in the original decision
Discuss the student's concerns.
Allow time to Clarify or reframe the accommodation request.
Provide additional information for consideration.

No decision is made during the meeting. Any information gathered will be reviewed after the meeting before a determination is issued. If new information is provided that it substantively changes the framework of the original determination, it may be referred by the reviewing administrator for reassessment. If a different determination is made, or the basis for a denial changes that explanation will be provided to the student as an updated determination which includes the opportunity to appeal.

Step 5: Written Appeal Determination

After review ASC will issue a written appeal decision. The appeal may result in:

Approval of the requested accommodation.
Approval of a modified accommodation.
Confirmation of the original determination.

Step 6: Further Concerns

If a student believes the matter remains unresolved after the accommodation appeal process and meets the university definition of discrimination they may pursue the University's disability discrimination complaint process through the Office of Civil Rights Compliance.

Grievance Process

If you believe you have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation as defined by university policy and would like to file a report, please review the university definitions and Procedures for Discrimination Reports. These procedures may be used to address misconduct issues based on or related to underlying claims of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation that do not involve any allegations of sexual misconduct.

If you need assistance with the process, you may contact Sarah Weil, ADA/504 Coordinator, at civilrights@unomaha.edu.

Access the UNO Discrimination Reporting Form.