Students with Disabilities
Texas Wesleyan University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding its students with disabilities. Texas Wesleyan University also complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and does not discriminate against students on the basis of gender. It is the policy of Texas Wesleyan University that no student shall be denied access to or participation in the services, programs, and activities of the University solely on the basis of her/his disability or gender.
The entire Students with Disabilities policy is also available on the Texas Wesleyan website at https://txwes.edu/academics/registrar/policies--forms/student-with-disabilities/
Procedure for Obtaining Academic Accommodation
The University shall provide, upon request, academic adjustments for students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. An academic adjustment is defined by this policy as any reasonable accommodation for a student’s disability as required by federal regulations.
If a student with a disability requires an adjustment, the student must present relevant, verifiable, professional documentation or assessment reports, confirming the existence of the disability, to the Director of Disability Services for review. The student should submit the Online Request for Accommodations to begin the process. Students will have the option to meet face-to-face or to work with the office via official University electronic means (e.g., University email, communication through Blackboard, or by telephone). See contact information below. Further documentation may be required to confirm the disability claim or to assist the University in determining the appropriate academic adjustment. An interview with the Director may be required for this purpose. Following its review, the Director will reach a determination regarding the existence of the disability for purposes of providing an academic adjustment. Information concerning a student's disability will be treated in a confidential manner in accordance with University policy as well as applicable federal and state law.
The student will be informed of the Director’s determination within 15 calendar days. If the determination confirms the existence of a disability requiring an academic adjustment, the student may meet with the Director to explore possible adjustments.
A letter describing the adjustment the University will provide the student will be issued to the student within 15 calendar days after the formal request and all documentation is received. The student will have the responsibility of delivering the letter to, and conferring with, her or his professors concerning the implementation of the adjustment. If the academic adjustment is not provided or followed as outlined, the student shall report the matter to the Director within 15 calendar days.
Application Deadlines:
To allow adequate time to evaluate the data properly and notify the parties involved, the following cut-off dates for application shall apply:
| Fall: |
November 15 |
Spring: |
April 1 |
If the Director does not confirm the disability or the need for an academic adjustment, the student may challenge the determination by following the procedures outlined below.
This policy applies to students with disabilities as defined by Section 504 and the ADA. A person is disabled if she or he:
- Has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one of more of such person’s major life activities;
- Has a record of such impairment; or
- Is regarded as having such impairment.
Physical or mental impairments that fall within discrimination prohibitions include:
- Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
- Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
Physical or mental impairments include (but are not limited to) such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, and drug addiction and alcoholism. It does not include current or illegal substance abuse.
Major life activities include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, sitting, standing, lifting, reaching, thinking, concentrating, reading, interacting with others, learning and working.
A student who has followed the procedures identified in this policy and does not agree with the determination of academic adjustment, and who has a mental or physical impairment as defined above, may file a grievance by using the “Student Grievance Procedures” policy listed in this catalog.
Coordinator For Civil Rights Compliance Efforts
(Section 504 Coordinator and Director of Disability Services)
In compliance with the Office of Civil Rights, the names and office locations, including phone numbers, of Texas Wesleyan University’s coordinator of civil rights compliance efforts is as follows:
Dr. Michael Ellison, Director
Disability Services
| Physical address: |
Mailing address: |
| 3110 E Rosedale Street |
1201 Wesleyan Street |
| Fort Worth, TX 76105 |
Fort Worth, TX 76105 |
Email, Website and Phone:
mellison@txwes.edu
https://txwes.edu/student-life/student-resources/disability-services/
(817) 531-4468
Student Grievance Procedures
Definition and Scope:
Note: The following grievance procedure applies to disability complaints. All other complaints regarding discrimination or harassment must be referred to the Unified Harassment and Discrimination Policy
Scope: Any student or group who believes that a violation of Section 504 or the ADA has occurred may file a grievance alleging any action that constitutes a violation of these laws.
Informal Review:
- The student shall first make a written request for an informal review by the dean of the school in which the student is majoring, within 60 calendar days after the event alleged to be discriminatory.
- The deans may be contacted as follows:
- The dean of the school will review the student's grievance and accompanying documentation or information and consider that information with respect to the requirements and discrimination prohibitions as defined by Section 504 and the ADA.
- The dean shall render a written decision within 15 calendar days.
- The dean is granted authority to take appropriate action if necessary.
Formal Review:
- If the informal review does not resolve the issue to the student's satisfaction, the student may make a written request for formal review to the Provost of the University (Provost@txwes.edu) within 15 calendar days following receipt of the dean’s decision.
- The student shall provide a written explanation detailing the student’s cause for appeal. Any associated documentation or information supporting the student’s appeal must be included.
- No specific format is required. However, the student should provide pertinent information or documentation to substantiate a disability as defined by Section 504 and the ADA, and the requested academic adjustment, if this is the subject of the grievance.
- The Provost shall appoint a five-person committee within 15 calendar days consisting of at least two faculty members and two students to review the student's grievance.
As part of the written appeal, the student will be granted, upon request, an opportunity to meet with the committee for the purpose of presenting relevant information.
- A hearing shall be scheduled within 30 calendar days of the formal appeal and a decision rendered within 45 calendar days.
- One representative or advisor as selected by the student may accompany the student at the hearing. The student shall advise the committee that a representative will be present and her/his identity prior to the hearing.
- To ensure impartiality, no committee member shall be directly affected by or previously involved in the student’s academic adjustment request or grievance. In addition, student representation is provided on the committee.
- The Provost shall appoint a committee chairperson.
- Evidence shall be presented in a fair and orderly manner under the direction of the committee chairperson.
- The committee shall review discrimination prohibitions as defined by Section 504 and the ADA, as well as relevant information as provided by the student, and provide a recommendation on the matter to the Provost
- The recommendation sent to the Provost shall be based on the majority opinion of the committee.
- The Provost Office shall inform the student of the decision in writing within 15 calendar days following receipt of the committee’s recommendation.
- The student shall have no review rights beyond the five-person committee.
Math Disability
- All students claiming a math disability are required to take the mathematics placement examination. Those not qualified to enroll in either intermediate or college algebra should enroll in MAT 0300, Beginning Algebra, and complete the requirements of that course.
- Students who claim a mathematics disability must immediately consult with the Director of Disability Services. To claim a disability, students must present documentation according to the Texas Wesleyan University Learning Disability Policy. Until the Director determines that a bona fide mathematics disability exists, the students must comply with the standard mathematics requirement of the University.
- If the Director establishes that a bona fide mathematics disability exists, a recommendation will be forwarded to the Dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences to substitute logic (Philosophy 2301) for that requirement. The Math Disability accommodation satisfies only the General Education requirement, i.e. PHI 2301 for MAT 1302. Accommodation is not extended to courses that require MAT 1302 as a prerequisite. In the event that additional diagnosed disabilities preclude taking logic, another course will be substituted in consultation with the Dean and the Director.
- If the Director establishes that a bona fide mathematics disability does not exist, the student must comply with the University’s standard mathematics policy.