Notice of Non-discrimination based on Disability

Hampton University adheres to the principle of equal education and employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This policy extends to all students and employees and applicants for admission and/or employment. Further, it extends to all programs and activities supported by the University; including the Undergraduate College, College of Continuing Education, College of Virginia Beach and the Graduate College. For assistance, please contact the Director of Compliance and Disability Services, located on the 1st Floor of Armstrong Slater Building, Counseling Center Wing, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia 23668 (757) 727-5493. For information regarding the filing of a complaint based on a perceived act of discrimination, please refer to the Official Student Handbook and the University website at www.hamptonu.edu/compliance.

Disability Services

Hampton University is committed to a policy of ensuring that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in University programs or activities due to his or her disability. The University is fully committed to complying with all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and to providing equal educational opportunities to otherwise qualified students and employees with disabilities. The Director of Compliance and Disability Services provides and coordinates accommodations, support services and auxiliary aids for qualified students with disabilities and qualified employees with disabilities. Students and employees in need of disability services should contact the Director of Compliance and Disability Services, located in 212 Wigwam Building, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia 23668 (757) 727-5493. Students should refer to the Official Student Handbook and the University website at www.hamptonu.edu/compliance for more detailed information regarding disability services and forms used for requesting accommodations. Employees should also refer to the University website.

For more information regarding disability services, please visit the compliance and disability services website

Student/Employee Accommodation Request Procedures

1. To receive an accommodation under the ADA, a student/employee must file an application (Request for Accommodation form) with the Director of Compliance and Disability Services, located on the 1st Floor of Armstrong Slater Building, Counseling Center Wing, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia 23668 (757) 727-5493. The form is available in 212 Wigwam Building and also at the University’s website. Requests for accommodations should be made far enough in advance to allow the Director of Compliance and Disability Services adequate time to evaluate the student’s documentation and coordinate needed services. Generally it is best to request needed services before a semester begins or as soon as a disability becomes known.
2. Student/employee must provide documentation of his/her disability and how it limits his/her participation in courses, programs, services, jobs, activities, and/or facilities of the University or limits an employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of his/her job. Documentation of the disability should be timely and from appropriate professionals licensed to diagnose the type of disability the student/employee has. Medical documentation will be retained only by the Director of Compliance and Disability Services and kept confidential.
3. The Director of Compliance and Disability Services makes the determination of whether the student/employee is eligible for accommodations under the ADA. The Director of Compliance and Disability Services and the student/employee will discuss what assistance is needed. The Director of Compliance and Disability Services will provide written notice to relevant faculty members and/or the academic unit in the case of a student, and the appropriate supervisor in the case of an employee, verifying the disability, and indicating the nature of the accommodation required, a copy of which will also be provided to the student/employee.
4. If there is a discrepancy between opinions of faculty and/or the academic unit and the Director of Compliance and Disability Services or between supervisor and the Director of Compliance and Disability Services regarding what adjustments are appropriate, the Director of Compliance and Disability Services will consult with the faculty members and/or academic units or the supervisor and gather additional information necessary to determine an appropriate accommodation. It is the responsibility of the Director of Compliance and Disability Services to determine the accommodation in a particular case, taking into account the content of the course/nature of the job, the student’s/employee’s disability, and the documentation from an appropriately credentialed professional. Nothing in these procedures requires an academic unit to fundamentally alter the nature of its academic program or fundamentally alter the essential functions of a job.
5. Students are expected to meet with their instructors during office hours to discuss needed assistance in their course work so that details of various adjustments are coordinated. Students and employees are responsible for notifying the Director of Compliance and Disability Services if reasonable accommodations are not implemented in an effective and timely manner.

Section 504/ADA – Grievance Procedure

Any student or employee who disagrees with the eligibility and/or accommodation decisions made by the Director of Compliance and Disability Services or who is not provided an accommodation in an effective and timely manner, has the right to file a grievance/complaint. Information regarding the filing of a grievance and/or complaint is available below or by contacting the Director of Compliance and Disability Services, located on the 1st Floor of Armstrong Slater Building, Counseling Center Wing, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia 23668.

Hampton University has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging discrimination based on disability. Complaints alleging discrimination based on disability must be addressed to the Director of Compliance and Disability Services, located on the 1st Floor of Armstrong Slater Building, Counseling Center Wing (757) 727-5493, who has been designated to coordinate the University’s Section 504 and ADA compliance efforts. The following steps explain the procedure:

1. A complaint must be submitted in writing, contain the name and address of the complainant, and a description of the allegations of discrimination. The complaint must set forth specific facts in support of the allegation(s).
2. A complaint must be filed within thirty (30) days of the alleged discrimination. Complaints received later than thirty (30) days of the alleged discrimination will be dismissed as untimely unless exceptional circumstances prevented timely filing.
3. An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall be conducted by the Director of Compliance and Disability Services following receipt of a discrimination complaint. This procedure affords the complainant and the person(s) against whom the allegation(s) of discrimination have been made, and their respective representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit information, written statements and documentation regarding the complaint allegations.
4. A written determination, including investigative findings as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Director of Compliance and Disability Services and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the complaint.
5. The complainant may appeal the findings of an investigation by submitting a written document within seven (7) days of receipt of the determination to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 23668 who shall refer the appeal to a three (3) member Appeals Committee consisting of a representative from Student Affairs, a Faculty representative and a Student Health professional. All documentation related to the original complaint and subsequent investigation shall be made available to the Appeals Committee as well as any other information they deem necessary to make their decision. The appeal must specify with particularity the irregularities of the investigator’s determination. The Vice President for Student Affairs must inform the complainant of the appeal decision within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the appeal.
6. Although Hampton University will make every effort to comply with these timelines, circumstances such as school breaks, may justify an extension of time. If such an extension is warranted, the parties will be advised.
7. Retaliation against any person who files a complaint of alleged discrimination, participates in an investigation, or opposes a discriminatory employment or education practice or policy is prohibited under University policy and by state and federal law. An individual who believes he or she was subjected to retaliation can file a grievance about the alleged retaliation under these procedures. If it is determined that retaliation has occurred, sanctions may be imposed, including, but not limited to, suspension or termination