Disability Resources at the University of San Francisco

Growing up with a disability, whether physical, behavioral, or intellectual, presents a slew of challenges. Young adults with disabilities who are trying to make it through school while maintaining social interactions must overcome countless hurdles. For those in this situation, making it to college is a huge accomplishment in itself. Once you’re attending a college or university, you deserve fair treatment and all the opportunities available to other students.

The University of San Francisco prides itself on its commitment to enabling full participation for all its students. In fact, the school considers disability as an asset that adds to the university’s diversity.

If you’re a student at the University of San Francisco and you have a disability, it’s important that you understand the services and resources the school offers to assist you. If you find that you’re struggling to get the university to respond to your needs related to a disability, you should have a legal team on your side that knows how to protect your rights. The Student Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can communicate with the University of San Francisco on your behalf to ensure they uphold their commitments to disabled students. Call us at 888.535.3686 or fill out our confidential online form to learn more.

Disability Accommodations at the University of San Francisco

At the University of San Francisco, Student Disability Services (SDS) is responsible for facilitating equal access and inclusion for graduate and undergraduate students with disabilities. SDS assists students in overcoming disability-related barriers by providing special accommodations to enable equal access to academic and campus experiences. SDS handles these accommodations for students on an individual basis during the school’s intake and eligibility process.

SDS encourages students with disabilities to plan early to get full access to disability resources and accommodations. Students can register by completing the SDS application online. The application requests documentation explaining the student’s condition, detailing how it affects daily life, and requesting specific accommodations. Each student then meets with a specialist for the intake process, which includes a discussion of appropriate accommodations and academic adjustments.

Accommodations at the University of San Francisco include:

• Admission and registration accommodations, such as pre-admission counseling, new student orientation, and priority registration and scheduling.

• Academic accommodations, including academic guidance, alternative testing, auxiliary aides and services, alternative formats for printed material, and assistive technology.

• Accommodations for campus life, such as residential assistance, transportation and parking services, referral and liaison services, and information and referral sources for university and community programs and services.

The University of San Francisco’s SDS Student Handbook outlines the school’s full policy related to providing accommodations for students with disabilities.

The Diversity of Disabilities and Accommodations

Disabilities that merit special accommodations cover such a wide range of physical, behavioral, and intellectual issues that the term “disability” can seem like an oversized umbrella. Intellectual or behavioral disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, as well as physical disabilities, such as vision, hearing, or mobility impairments,  all fall under this same umbrella. 

The University of San Francisco is committed to adhering to state and federal laws and to helping its students succeed, including students with any disability that challenges their ability to get equal access. Some specific examples of special accommodations and resources for the wide range of intellectual and physical disabilities at the University of San Francisco include:

• The school follows the Fair Housing Act’s regulations related to emotional support animals. The regulations allow these animals in residential living facilities but not academic buildings, offices, or classrooms. To have an emotional support animal on campus, you must sign an agreement with SDS to comply with the school’s policy on these animals.

• The University of San Francisco allows service animals to accompany disabled students in public places, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The school abides by all of California’s laws related to service animals.

• The school provides special parking for students with University of San Francisco disability placards. Even those with state handicap parking permits need a school-specific placard to park in designated handicap parking on or near campus. Your SDS specialist can direct you to where to obtain the placard.

• The University of San Francisco offers special exam accommodations for students with disabilities. Your SDS specialist will review your need for exam accommodations during your intake process and can provide a letter of accommodation for extended time for course exams.

• SDS works with Student Housing to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities who live on campus. These accommodations are based on availability, so it’s a good idea to plan early if you want special campus housing.

• The school offers campus transportation services to students with disabilities that impair their ability to move across campus.

• The school registrar may relocate a classroom if the original classroom is inaccessible, creating a barrier to equal access. Examples include classes in a building with a broken elevator or wheelchair lift, or no handicap-accessible parking. You should notify your SDS specialist as soon as possible if you know a classroom you need is inaccessible.

These are just a few examples of the specific accommodations the University of San Francisco offers for students with disabilities. Obviously, every student is different, and you may have specific needs that require unique accommodations. The University of San Francisco encourages students with disabilities to work with their SDS specialist to identify and resolve individual needs.

If you find that the University of San Francisco is failing to make appropriate and reasonable accommodations to ensure you have equal access to your academic and campus life, the Student Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can communicate with the school on your behalf to help you get what you need.

When You’re Not Receiving Appropriate Accommodations

At the University of San Francisco, SDS is obligated to provide assistance to students with disabilities. The school’s responsibilities include:

• Providing reasonable accommodations in a timely manner.

• Giving you information on resources and services for students with disabilities in a timely manner.

• Fairly evaluating the academic progress of students with disabilities.

• Maintaining confidentiality of records and communication related to your disability.

• Working with faculty and staff to ensure they are implementing the specific accommodations SDS has established for you. 

If you feel that you’re facing discrimination from the University of San Francisco or that the school is not upholding its responsibilities to provide reasonable accommodations, you should first communicate with your designated SDS specialist.

If you still feel you can’t resolve your issues, you can file an appeal with the SDS Reconsideration Panel. The panel will review your complaint and provide a written decision within 10 working days, although SDS can extend this timeframe if necessary.

If you’re dissatisfied with the Reconsideration Panel’s decision, you can then file an appeal with the University Appeals Board. Appeals with this board must meet specific criteria, including having procedural irregularities or new information since the original appeal.

If the appeal meets these criteria, the University Appeals Board will review the case, including incident reports, witness statements, case notes, and other documents. The board may consult with the Office of Human Resources to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Within 10 days, the board can take any of the following actions:

• Uphold the original decision.

• Refer the case back to a resolution staff member for further investigation.

• Reverse part or all of the original decision with no further action.

• Modify the assigned outcomes.

If you’re a student with a disability who has a grievance with the University of San Francisco’s accommodations, the LLF National Law Firm can help you navigate the complaint and appeal process.

The LLF National Law Firm Is on Your Side

As a student with a disability, you need to rely on your college or university to uphold its responsibilities when it comes to providing the specific accommodations they’ve guaranteed you. Navigating your academic and campus life with any kind of physical, behavioral, or intellectual disability is challenging enough on its own. Having to fight with your school when they’re not meeting their end of the bargain is added stress and frustration that you certainly don’t need.

That’s where the Student Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can come to your aid. We can help you:

• Understand the ins and outs of the University of San Francisco’s policies for accommodating students with disabilities.

• Identify any specific shortcomings where the school is failing to meet its obligations.

• Communicate with SDS on your behalf when your designated specialist isn’t meeting your expectations.

• Prepare your written appeal to the Reconsideration Panel.

• Determine whether a further appeal is warranted and meets the necessary criteria.

• Prepare your written appeal to the University Appeals Board.

If you’re struggling to get SDS to meet its obligations, the LLF National Law Firm can guide you through the process to make sure you get the accommodations you need. We have years of experience working with colleges and universities nationwide to make sure they uphold their responsibilities. We know how to protect students’ rights. Call us at 888.535.3686 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.

As a student with a disability, you need to focus on making the most of your college experience and getting the education you deserve. The Student Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm will handle conflicts with the school’s disability office on your behalf. Your college experience is too valuable to let slip away.