Access and Accommodation for Persons with Disabilities Policy

A. Policy

杏吧原创 seeks to provide equal access for persons with disabilities to include students, employees and the public, to all educational programs, employment, activities, events, and services which it operates, consistent with applicable federal and state laws and 杏吧原创 policies.

This policy is based on the Americans with Disabilities Act and amendments, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Washington State Law Against Discrimination (RCW Ch. 49.60 as Related to Disabilities), and 杏吧原创’s mission.

Reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments, and public access will be provided to persons with disabilities to ensure they are provided an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from any 杏吧原创 program, activity, event, or service.

杏吧原创 is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students and 杏吧原创 employees at study abroad venues to the extent feasible given other countries’ accessibility standards.

杏吧原创 is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless doing so presents a direct safety threat to the employee or others, or imposes an undue hardship on 杏吧原创. If you believe you need an accommodation in order to meet the essential functions of your job or a prospective job, or if you believe you need an adjustment to any current accommodation, you are encouraged to contact Human Resources at 509-313-5996.

B. Scope

This policy applies to all employees with disabilities and to public access. 杏吧原创's goals are to provide:

  1. Reasonable accommodations for qualified employees with disabilities that will allow them to perform the essential functions of their positions, unless the accommodation is an undue hardship, or the employee being a direct threat to self and/or others is established.
  2. A welcoming environment that affords all qualified individuals with disabilities equal opportunity for full public access and participation in campus programs, activities, events, and services.
  3. For access and accommodations for students with disabilities, please reference the Access and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Policy located at www.gonzaga.edu/disabilityaccess.

C. Institutional Authority Assigned

The Benefits Specialist handles accommodations and protected leaves for staff and faculty. The Benefits Specialist is formally designated to:

  1. Evaluate and determine that a disability qualifies for an accommodation.
  2. Through the interactive process, determine appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids, and adaptive/assistive technology for employees with disabilities.
  3. Work with all parties toward implementing appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids, physical facility alterations, adaptive/assistive technology.
  4. Consult with appropriate entities throughout the institution to develop 杏吧原创-wide access and accommodation procedures.
  5. Consult with 杏吧原创 officials during initial development stage for any new or upgraded program, activity, event or service, including technology and facilities, so that disability access is integrated proactively.
  6. Create training and informational initiatives about disability access and inclusion for employees.
  7. Manage initial intervention stage of access and accommodation issues before formal complaints are filed.
  8. Work with the ADA/504 Coordinator on new or revised policies and procedures, educational efforts, and complaint processes.
  9. Work with Plant and Construction Services and sponsors to assist with public access for 杏吧原创 facilities, programs, activities, events, and services.

The Assistant Director of Client Services, Human Resources functions as 杏吧原创’s ADA/504 Coordinator and is formally designated to:

  1. Oversee 杏吧原创-wide consistency with and adherence to these policies and procedures, and participate in revising policies and procedures as needed to remain current with the law.
  2. Consult with General Counsel and 杏吧原创 administration on disability access and accommodation issues. 
  3. Manage and investigate access and accommodation issues when the individual files a complaint because they believe they are the victim of harassment or discrimination.
  4. Respond to inquiries from the U.S. Office of Civil Rights, Human Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other external agencies.
  5. Assist in educating students and employees about disability access and accommodation.

D. Disability Information

The appropriate office will maintain a confidential file regarding the disability of each person who provides documentation of disability to 杏吧原创. The file contains all pertinent information and medical records related to accommodation, academic adjustment, or other services.

E. Complaint Resolution Process

Employees with a concern regarding their accommodations process may request a review and resolution by the Associate Vice President of Human Resources.

People with disabilities are also protected from harassment and discrimination under the University-wide Harassment and Discrimination Policy. Complaints regarding disability access and accommodation, or harassment and discrimination, are received and managed by the Office of Human Resources and handled through the University-wide Harassment and Discrimination Complaint Policy found here in the Policies and Procedures Manual.

Any party (employee, student or member of the general public) who believes his or her complaint has not been handled appropriately may use the Grievance Policy as described in the 杏吧原创 Policy and Procedures Manual, beginning with Step 2.

F. Alternative Steps

杏吧原创’s intention is that through these procedures any complaints will be resolved internally; however, a complaint may be filed with federal or state agencies, such as:

Information and Complaints
1-800-233-3247
1-800-622-2755 (Spanish)

Rock Point Plaza III
1330 N. Washington St., Suite 2460
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 568-3196

Federal Office Building
909 First Ave., #300
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 669-4000

Office of Civil Rights
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174
(206) 607-1600
TDD (877) 521-2172


950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0011
(202) 514-2000

Office of Federal Act Compliance Programs
1111 Third Ave., Suite 745
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 398-8000