Office of Accessibility Appeals Procedure

Applicability
Students may appeal decisions of the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services regarding a requested service or accommodation using the procedures described below.

Informal Resolution
Decisions by the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services office will be transmitted to the student in writing. In general, before initiating the formal appeals procedure set forth below, the student should first discuss the decision orally, or in writing, with the Director. If no resolution results, the student may initiate a formal appeal.

Student Disability Appeals Committee
The SUNY Downstate’s Student Accessibility Appeals Committee (SAAC) is responsible for administering the appeals procedure. The SAAC will be composed of at least three members from the SUNY Downstate’s faculty and staff, each of whom will have an equal voting share. The Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs will appoint SAAC members for each individual matter. No member may have a treating or evaluative role with the student making the appeal. The student will be given a list of appointed Committee members and may object for cause to any member within two business days of receiving the list.

Appeal and Decision
Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs as soon as possible, but in no event later than ten (10) days after the written decision being appealed has been communicated. Appeals must include:

a. The student’s name, address, email address and phone number;
b. A full description of the basis for the appeal;
c. A statement of the remedy requested.

The SAAC will review the submitted information, and any other information that it deems necessary to consider the matter. The SAAC may conduct interviews and may ask to speak with the professional(s) who provided the information or documentation supporting the disability claim. The student will be invited to meet with the committee. At least 48 hours before the interview, the student may submit a request to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for approval to bring a representative to the interview. The representative may not participate in the appeal or address the SAAC, but rather can be present as an observer. Upon completion of its review, the SAAC will prepare and transmit to the Appellant a final decision as to whether the service or accommodation offered was reasonable and appropriate. This final decision is not subject to further review or appeal.