Grievances and Concerns

Student Accommodation Concerns

Students who have questions or concerns about an accommodation decision should be referred to the DRC. The DRC has a separate process through which students may request review of an accommodation decision.

If a student believes an approved accommodation is not being implemented, instructors should contact the DRC so that we can work with the student and instructor to understand the concern and determine appropriate next steps.

Instructors should not modify, deny, or discontinue an approved accommodation based solely on a student concern or disagreement. Instructors should consult with the DRC before making changes to an approved accommodation.

Faculty Questions About Accommodations

Instructors are responsible for reviewing accommodation notifications and other information provided by the DRC. Instructors should contact the DRC when they:

• Have questions about how to implement an accommodation;
• Need clarification regarding the scope of an accommodation;
• Believe a modification to the standard accommodation may be appropriate;
• Believe another approach may provide the student with equal access;
• Have concerns about how an accommodation interacts with an essential course or program requirement; or
• Believe implementing an accommodation may fundamentally alter an essential requirement of a course, program, or academic activity.

Instructors should not independently deny an approved accommodation. The DRC will work with the instructor and student through an individualized review of the student’s disability-related access needs, the relevant course or program requirements, and possible approaches for providing equal access.

Routine implementation questions may be directed to the student’s Access Consultant or to the DRC at drc@purdue.edu.

Request a DRC Review

Instructors may submit the DRC Faculty Accommodation Review Form when additional review or discussion is needed. This process is appropriate for most accommodation questions, implementation concerns, requests to consider an alternative accommodation, and concerns involving essential course or program requirements.

The form may be used to:

• Request assistance implementing an accommodation;
• Request review of a possible modification to the standard accommodation;
• Propose an alternative that may provide the student with equal access;
• Identify concerns involving essential course or program requirements;
• Request additional discussion regarding the design or implementation of an accommodation; or
• Raise concerns regarding a potential fundamental alteration before pursuing the formal concern process.

Instructors will be asked to provide information about the course, the accommodation, the relevant course components, and the specific implementation concern. The form also asks instructors to describe:

• The primary instructional methods and learning activities used in the course;
• The course components relevant to the concern;
• Why those components are essential to achieving the course or program learning outcomes;
• Any relevant technical standards, accreditation standards, licensure requirements, professional competencies, or safety requirements;
• How implementing the accommodation may affect the identified essential requirements; and
• Whether an alternative approach could provide the student with equal access while maintaining the essential requirements of the course or program.

Instructors may also provide supporting materials, including a course syllabus, assignment schedule, grading rubric, technical standards, accreditation requirements, professional or licensure standards, or other relevant documentation.

Submitting the DRC Faculty Accommodation Review Form does not automatically suspend or discontinue the student’s accommodation. Instructors should continue implementing the approved accommodation while the review is underway unless the DRC provides different interim guidance.

Submit a Faculty Accommodation Review (opens in a new window)

Formal Fundamental Alteration Concerns

The DRC Faculty Accommodation Review process is the appropriate starting point for most accommodation questions and implementation concerns. Faculty and instructors who believe an approved accommodation fundamentally alters a course, program, or academic activity may also use the Formal Accommodation Concern Form.

The formal concern process is intended specifically for concerns involving a potential fundamental alteration. General questions about implementation, requests to discuss an alternative accommodation, or concerns that may be resolved through additional discussion should generally be submitted through the DRC Faculty Accommodation Review process.

As described in Purdue’s Procedures for Requesting and Implementing Curricular Accommodations, faculty and instructors are encouraged to contact the DRC to discuss their concerns and attempt to resolve the matter informally. The DRC provides academic departments with information regarding the types and estimated volume of accommodations approved in their courses by the end of the first week of each semester.

Formal Accommodation Concern Forms must be submitted by the end of the third week of the applicable semester. The Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning may grant an exception to this deadline when an accommodation that was not included in the information previously provided by the DRC is approved later in the semester.

Faculty and instructors must provide their contact information so that the DRC can review and respond to the concern.

Submitting a formal concern does not automatically suspend or discontinue the student’s approved accommodation. The instructor should continue implementing the accommodation unless otherwise directed by the DRC or the university office reviewing the concern.

Submit a Formal Accommodation Concern (opens in a new window)

Report a Physical Barrier on Campus

Purdue University is committed to equal access and to providing an environment in which individuals with disabilities can access university programs, services, activities, and facilities.

Faculty, staff, students, and visitors who encounter a physical or environmental barrier may submit an online report. Contact information is not required. However, individuals who provide contact information may receive confirmation that the report was received and follow-up information regarding the status of the concern.

Report a Physical Barrier (opens in a new window)

More Information

Additional information about requesting, implementing, and reviewing disability-related accommodations is available through the following university resources:

• Procedures for Requesting and Implementing Curricular Accommodations
• Procedures for Requesting and Implementing Student Life Accommodations

Questions may also be directed to the Disability Resource Center at drc@purdue.edu.