Grievances

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was enacted to protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination in areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, transportation, communication, health services, and access to public services. Rice University is committed to meeting the requirements of the ADA and will work to satisfy its requirements in serving the needs of the academic community.

Rice University policy is to provide reasonable accommodations to students with qualifying disabilities, and these procedures are written to help students understand avenues available to them should they encounter problems in Rice’s implementation of the ADA, and to provide prompt and equitable resolution of complaints.

Dr. Richard Baker, Executive Director of Equal Opportunity Services is the ADA Coordinator and serves as the primary resource for ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and advancing our commitment to accessibility and inclusion. He works closely with students, faculty, staff, and community members to support equitable access to programs, services, and facilities.

Appeals about a disability related decision by the Student Disability Resource Center can be directed to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity Services, ADA Coordinator.

Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible in all disability complaint investigations. Rice University prohibits retaliation against a person filing a complaint of disability discrimination regardless of the outcome of the initial complaint.

Procedures for Filing a Discrimination Complaint Based on Disability:

A student may choose between filing an informal complaint (when the student seeks the least formal resolution of a problem and where no disciplinary action is sought) or a formal complaint (when the student is dissatisfied with the outcome of an informal complaint, when disciplinary action is sought, or where the degree of formality is not an issue).

Informal

Rice University strives to resolve differences through informal resolution procedures wherever possible. Student complaints regarding ADA-based academic accommodations (which must be consistent with the Rice Honor System) or general access issues should be directed to the ADA Coordinator for informal resolution within 30 days of the problem.

The ADA Coordinator will attempt to resolve informal complaints through discussion or mediation between the student and faculty or staff member involved. The resolution of an informal complaint shall be deemed accepted by the student unless the student files a formal complaint in according with the procedures below.

Formal

Formal complaints shall be filed within thirty (30) days after the complainant becomes aware of the problem or fourteen (14) days from the resolution of an informal complaint.

To initiate a formal complaint on the basis of a disability issue, the student must provide the complaint in writing to the ADA Coordinator. The complainant will need to provide the following information:

1. A full description of the problem(s) including names of individuals, departments and/or programs involved and efforts taken to resolve the problem.
2. Identification of the disability at issue.
3. The date(s) of the problem(s).
4. Identification of individuals who have knowledge related to the complaint.
5. The specific remedy sought (if known).
6. The signature of the student

The ADA Coordinator will work with the complainant and conduct any necessary investigation of the complaint. The ADA Coordinator will notify the complainant in writing of the conclusions of the investigation and any recommendations for resolution within thirty (30) working days.

Appeals about a disability related decision by the Student Disability Resource Center can be directed to the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity Services, ADA Coordinator.