8.10 / Students with Disabilities

Effective: August 08, 2017Last Revised: August 22, 2023

  1. Policy

    In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Wichita State University shall adhere to all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing effective communications and modifications as necessary to afford equal access to programs for qualified persons with disabilities and to ensure that no qualified individual shall be, by reason of disability, excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of WSU, or be subjected to discrimination by WSU.

    Wichita State University is committed to providing equal access to employment, educational programs, and activities for students with disabilities. The University recognizes that students with disabilities may need accommodations to have equally effective opportunities to participate in or benefit from University educational programs, services and activities. Conformance to this policy does not negate the responsibility of Wichita State University to ensure that accessible technology and course content complies with applicable accessibility standards (see Section 8.11, Accessible Content).

  2. Responsibilities

    1. Office of Student Accommodations and Testing

      Applicants for admission and students requesting services, resources or accommodations for a disability should contact:

      Office of Student Accommodations and Testing
      Grace Wilkie Hall, Room 203
      316-978-3309 (voice)
      316-854-3032 (videophone)
      316-978-3114 (fax)
      Disability.services@Wichita.edu (email)

      The Office of Student Accommodations and Testing serves as the main point of contact on issues related to ADA compliance for all persons involved in providing class instruction at WSU. The Office of Student Accommodations and Testing is responsible for:

      • Determining effective communications and modifications to provide equal access for students with disabilities.
      • Supervising the timely implementation of accommodations as requested by individual students, primarily through accommodation letters, and through other reasonable requests for assistance.
      • Acting as a liaison between students and faculty to promptly and effectively resolve access issues.

    2. Academic Departments and Instructional Staff

      Academic departments and instructional staff are responsible for:

      • Providing all accommodations recognized by WSU through “accommodation letters” in cooperation with the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing.
      • Contacting the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing as soon as possible after receiving notification from a student that an accommodation is not being provided completely or correctly, so that a timely and appropriate resolution can be facilitated.

    3. Nonacademic Programs

      University offices and programs are responsible for providing accommodations for nonacademic programs with the assistance of the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing.

    4. Students

      Students are responsible for the following:

      • Submitting documentation of their disability to the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing.
      • Requesting and distributing accommodation letters to instructors.
      • Updating accommodations through the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing.
      • Requesting accommodations each academic semester for which accommodations are needed.

  3. Accommodations

    Wichita State University will make reasonable modifications to the environment, policy and practice and/or provide auxiliary aids and services when the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing determines such modifications are needed for equal access. Modifications may include, but are not limited to:

    1. Academic Requirements

      Accommodations can include changes in the length of time permitted for completion of degree requirements, substitution of specific courses required for the completion of degree requirements, adaptation of the manner in which specific courses are conducted, and elimination of rules which have the effect of limiting the participation of students with disabilities, such as rules prohibiting use of recorders in classrooms.

    2. Examinations

      Alternative methods for evaluating the achievement of students who have a disability that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills that will best assure that the results of evaluation represent the student's achievement in the course, rather than reflecting the disability.

    3. Accessible Classrooms

      WSU will move classes that are scheduled in inaccessible rooms to accessible rooms on request if a student has a disability that affects their access and alternative course sections are not a viable option because of schedule conflicts or other reasonable restrictions. Students needing new classroom assignments should contact the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing as soon as possible to allow adequate time for classroom changes.

    4. Auxiliary Aids and Adaptive Equipment

      Auxiliary aids include services, equipment, and procedures that allow students with disabilities access to learning and activities in and out of the classroom. They include but are not limited to: sign language interpreters, real time captioning services, adaptive technology, alternative media, exam accommodations, etc. The Office of Student Accommodations and Testing has information on procedures and timelines for use of WSU-provided auxiliary equipment.

  4. Appeal and Complaint Procedures

    1. Accommodation Appeal Process

      1. Division of Student Affairs

        If a student believes an accommodation or adjustment has not been appropriately determined or reasonable accommodations have not been provided, the student has the right to appeal the determination or provision to the Vice President for Student Affairs (Appeal Forms available via Office of Student Accommodations and Testing)

      2. Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance

        If a student is not satisfied after utilizing the appeal process through the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing, the student may seek assistance from the Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance:

        Associate Vice President and University Title IX Coordinator
        Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance
        1845 Fairmount Street
        208 Lindquist Hall
        Wichita, KS 67260
        (316) 978-3186

    2. Discrimination

      1. Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance

        Students alleging discrimination in the University's employment practices, educational programs or activities on the basis of a protected status, including disability, may contact the following individual:

        Executive Director of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance
        1845 Fairmount Street
        208 Lindquist Hall
        Wichita, KS 67260
        (316) 978-5257

        A complaint form can be found here. Complaints will be processed following the procedure outlined in Section 3.47, Discrimination Review Procedures for Student, Employees and Visitors.

      2. U.S. Department of Justice

        Individuals alleging disability discrimination may also file an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice. Complaints can be filed electronically, by fax or by mail.

        Mail: U.S. Department of Justice
        950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
        Civil Rights Division – Disability Rights Section/1425 NYAV
        Washington, DC 20530
        Fax: (202)307-1197

        ADA information line: (800)514-0301 – voice
        (800)514-0383 – TTY

  5. Definitions

    1. “Accessible” means: All individuals are able to independently acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services within the same time frame as all other individuals, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

    2. “Qualified” means: A qualified student with a disability is a student with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards requisite for admission or participation in the institution's educational program or activity.

    3. “Instructional staff” means: All individuals who provide any course-related instruction to WSU students, including, but not limited to, professors, lecturers, fellows, and teaching assistants.

  6. Related Policies

  7. Revision Dates

    1. April 15, 2019 (maintenance updates only)
    2. April 25, 2023 (maintenance updates only)
    3. August 22, 2023 (maintenance updates only)