504 Accessibility Policy

Ohio Wesleyan University understands that diversity, inclusion, and equity are fundamental to its mission and values. The University is, therefore, committed to maintaining a community that reflects diversity and supports opportunities for all, including all qualified individuals with disabilities. As part of this commitment, University policies and procedures will ensure that persons with disabilities are not subjected to discrimination or denied full and equal access to programs offered by the University based on their ongoing and/or temporary documented disability.

The University will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. This commitment is an expectation of the University’s shared values, consistent with a community that celebrates individual differences and diversity. This policy will be interpreted in compliance with applicable law and exceptions provided by applicable law.

Purpose of the Policy 

To provide an inclusive and accessible University environment for all individuals with disabilities.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all programs offered by the University, including:

1. All educational delivery and practices. This includes but is not limited to recruitment, application, instruction, examination and testing, and educational status, and applies to students engaged in remote or distance learning through the University.
2. All programs over which the University exercises substantial control, which may occur outside of the classroom, campus, or office environment but are a vital part of the University experience (e.g., education abroad, sponsored events, etc.). 
   
3. All employment policies and practices throughout the employee life cycle including recruitment, hiring, training/development, corrective/disciplinary actions, promotions and transfers. 
   
4. All facilities and property owned, operated by, or rented by the University. 
   
5. All digital information and services provided by the University, including delivery platforms. 
   

Procedures

Reasonable Accommodations

Qualified individuals with disabilities have the right to an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from all programs offered by the University. Individuals who choose to exercise these rights:

• Are responsible for initiating the accommodation process in a timely fashion by identifying themselves as needing reasonable modifications to a University environment, policy, or practice and/or needing auxiliary aids and services.
• Are responsible for providing appropriate documentation that confirms a disability and a description of the relevant impacts of that disability when requested by the 504 Coordinator’s office or designated office.

All accommodations will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria established and defined by state and federal laws including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, using an interactive process. The 504 Coordinator's office provides oversight and review of the accommodation review process. Reasonable accommodations are initially determined through an interactive process by the Accessibility Services Office for student accommodations and by the Human Resources Office for employee accommodations, in collaboration with the individual with a documented disability and the relevant unit or program. 

Reporting 

Any individual who has encountered a barrier to access or believes they have been improperly denied the benefit of, or access to, a program, service, or activity may submit a report. To file a Section 504 report, an individual may contact any of the following:

1. The University's 504 Coordinator:
   Imogene Johnson
   OWU Human Resources Director
   University Hall 003
   61 S. Sandusky Street
   Delaware, OH  43015
2. The University’s Chief Diversity Officer:
   Dawn Chisebe
   Merrick Hall 109
   65 S. Sandusky Street
   Delaware, OH  43015
3. Online reporting form

Resolving Complaints Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Ohio Wesleyan University prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The University has adopted the following procedure for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by federal regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Issues that are grievable include, but are not limited to, a denial of a requested accommodation, the inadequacy of an accommodation, the inaccessibility of a program or activity due to disability, or discrimination or harassment based on disability.

Filing a Grievance

All complaints/grievances should be submitted to the University’s 504 Coordinator within 30 calendar days of the date upon which the grievant becomes aware of the alleged prohibited action. The University reserves the right to dismiss complaints received later than 30 calendar days after the complainant became aware of the alleged violation, as they may be considered as untimely.

Grievance Procedure

A grievance should be filed in writing and should contain the following information:

An informal investigation, as may be appropriate, will follow the filing of a grievance. The investigation shall be conducted by the University’s 504 Coordinator or designee.  This procedure shall include a prompt and thorough investigation that affords the grievant, the subject of the grievance, other interested persons, and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to present information, submit witness names, and/or submit other evidence and information relevant to the grievance. If the 504 Coordinator is central to the complaint, the informal investigation will be conducted by a designee. A University identified designee is determined based on the nature of the complaint.

The University Grievance Committee will review the grievance/complaint and all relevant information following the investigation and determine the resolution. A written determination on the grievance and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the 504 Coordinator or designee, or by the Human Resources Director or designee if appropriate. The written determination shall be forwarded to the grievant no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the submission of the grievance.

The University’s 504 Coordinator or designee, and the Human Resources Director or designee in cases involving University employees, shall maintain the files and records of the University relating to grievances filed.

The grievant may request reconsideration of the resolution if they are dissatisfied with the resolution. The University has thirty (30) calendar days to respond to the request for reconsideration. The decision of the designated University appeals officer shall be considered final. 

The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the grievance filed under the procedure shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies, such as the filing of a Section 504 complaint with the Office for Civil Rights.

Retaliation against any person under this grievance procedure or against any person who assists a grievant in his/her pursuit of a grievance under this grievance procedure is prohibited.

In the event that an act of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is found to have occurred, the University shall take steps to stop the discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects on the grievant or others. 

Additional Resources

Federal Office for Civil Rights
Voice: 800-368-1019
TDD: 800-537-7697
FAX: 312-886-1807

Ohio Civil Rights Commission
Voice: 614-466-2785
TTY: 614-752-2391
FAX: 614-466-6250

Disability Rights Ohio
Voice: 614-466-7264
TTY: 614-728-2553
FAX: 614-644-1888

Contact Information

Accessibility Services Director
Amanda Rodenborg
Hamilton Williams Campus Center 324
aso@owu.edu | 740-368-3990

University 504 Coordinator
Imogene Johnson
OWU Human Resources Director
University Hall 003
igjohnson@owu.edu | 740-368-3394

Chief Diversity Officer
Dawn Chisebe
Merrick Hall 109
dei@owu.edu