Look, college is tough. No one makes it through completely unscathed. And Cornell is tougher than most. It shouldn't be tougher for some students than others, though. If you're a student with a disability, you have several important rights. These rights aren't designed to give you an advantage. They're designed to ensure you're treated fairly and that you get a level academic playing field. These rights aren't a matter of ethics or morality. They're a matter of federal law. Both the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protect you from discrimination and harassment and ensure you have the materials and services you need to earn a fair and equal education.
Unfortunately, you can't always count on receiving these rights. Far too many people simply don't understand the nature of disability. They may see accessibility as too expensive. They may fail to recognize the real needs that those with invisible disabilities face. They may fail to grasp the value in difference. When they do, you may have to fight for your rights. You don't have to fight alone, though.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to ensure all students are treated fairly by their universities. How do we do that? We know the law, and we know how Cornell's polices and procedures work. We're always on your side, no matter the situation, and while we're skilled negotiators, we can be fierce when our clients' interests are at stake.
How can we help you? Find out by calling 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Cornell's Disability Services
If you're a continuing student at Cornell, you know how important the university's Student Disability Services (SDS) office is. If you're new to campus, it should be among the first places you visit. SDS is responsible for coordinating all disability services across campus, from ensuring buildings are accessible to arranging appropriate classroom accommodations to approving support animals for those students who need them.
Before you're eligible for any of these services, though, you have to let SDS know who you are. Most primary and secondary schools have a mandated responsibility to identify students with disabilities so no one gets left behind. Universities like Cornell, though, are only obligated to provide resources to those students who ask for them. That means you have to speak up. We can help with that. Lento Law Firm attorneys are experienced student representatives, and we know how to advocate on your behalf.
That starts with going through the SDS registration process.
- For most university services, including academic accommodations, you complete a Disability Self-Disclosure form. If you need special housing accommodations, you must fill out a Housing Accommodation Request Form.
- As part of this paperwork, you also need to provide documentation of your disability. You need to be as detailed as possible in describing your disability, and you should provide as much paperwork as you can.
- SDS may contact you to ask follow-up questions.
- SDS uses all the information you provide to develop an accommodation plan that details all the necessary resources to which you're entitled, from extra time to complete assignments to special testing conditions.
While this process isn't designed to be complex, it can take time to complete. It's not always easy to come up with the proper documentation, and occasionally, SDS may raise questions about your paperwork. It also sometimes happens that SDS refuses to provide the accommodation you need. No matter what your particular situation, a Lento Law Firm attorney can help make everything about registration faster and easier. We can fill out forms. We know what schools expect in terms of documentation. We can negotiate with the administration if you feel you're being denied necessary resources. We're willing to fight for resources if it comes to that.
We can also help as you move from semester to semester. For instance, if your accommodation plan needs adjustments, we can make sure that SDS responds quickly. Of course, once you have an accommodation plan in place, SDS will issue letters you can give to instructors explaining their role in the process. In addition, it is this office's responsibility to hold instructors accountable for implementing your accommodations. Your attorney can also help remind faculty of their responsibilities any time you need us to.
Never be shy about demanding what you deserve. Sometimes, that means talking directly with an instructor. Sometimes, it means applying pressure to SDS. Sometimes, it means taking on the entire university. The law is on your side, though. So is the Lento Law Firm.
Dealing With Invisible Disabilities
All disabilities come with their own unique set of challenges. Every person is different. If you have an invisible disability, one of the challenges may be getting others to understand your needs. Students and even faculty sometimes discount learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia, for instance. Even well-meaning instructors can forget about accommodations when they're not reminded that you need them. Again, you must learn to be an advocate for yourself. Don't forget, though, that your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you do this.
Another common problem with invisible disabilities? They simply go undiagnosed. After all, they're invisible, right? You could have ADHD or an Autism Spectrum Disorder and not even know it. If you struggle in certain subjects or you find it hard to keep your GPA up no matter how much effort you put in, it's possible that what you really need isn't more work but rather a proper diagnosis. The Lento Law Firm can help make sure you get it, whether that means working out testing through Cornell or putting you in touch with other professionals. We'll work with you to get proper documentation, and we'll encourage SDS to process your materials quickly.
In addition, we can file a petition on your behalf asking Cornell to drop low grades from your transcript. Remember, you have rights under the law, and those rights apply even if you don't realize you have a disability. If you've struggled in some course because you didn't have the proper resources, you should have an opportunity to retake that course without penalty.
Demanding Your Rights
You'll find that most conflicts you face at Cornell can be worked out through reasonable discussion. Often, they're the product of misunderstandings or simple ignorance. The Lento Law Firm is always ready to step in and help.
There are times, though, when you have to take a more formal approach to a problem. The Lento Law Firm can help in these cases as well. Cornell provides several options when it comes to lodging disability complaints.
- SDS invites any student who is dissatisfied with its services to talk with the Director. Your attorney can accompany you to these meetings if you think you need them.
- You always have the option to file a grade grievance at the end of a semester. If you feel an instructor has treated you unfairly as a result of your disability or otherwise, this can be a useful process for getting a fair grade.
- If you've been mistreated by another student, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS).
- In the most serious cases, when you feel the university has discriminated against you or denied your rights in some crucial way, you can file a complaint with the Cornell Office of Civil Rights (COCR).
No matter which option you choose, you can be sure that your Lento Law Firm attorney will be well-versed in all processes and procedures. We can help guide you through them and even show you how to use them to your best advantage.
Disciplinary Misconduct Issues
Dealing with a disciplinary misconduct issue is always a frustrating experience. That's true for all students. Rules and regulations can be obtuse, and the disciplinary system can be complicated and difficult to navigate.
Students with disabilities sometimes face unique difficulties, though, when it comes to defending themselves from misconduct allegations.
- Faculty, staff, and administrators occasionally mistake a disability for misbehavior. You can wind up with a charge you simply don't deserve.
- Unfortunately, students with disabilities sometimes find themselves the targets of discrimination and harassment from other students.
- Students with disabilities are also sometimes faced with access issues, even within the disciplinary system itself.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney is on your side no matter what the situation might be. If you're dealing with a plain old, ordinary misconduct charge, we'll work hard to defend you and get you the best possible resolution to your case. From uncovering evidence to coaching you in how to respond to investigators, we're in your corner.
We can also protect you if you're facing a disciplinary charge that involves your disability. No one mistreats our clients, and we make sure our clients get the justice they deserve.
Trust the Lento Law Firm
It's hard enough for any student to get fair treatment from a university like Cornell. Institutions can be a complicated tangle of rules and regulations. When you're a student with a disability, it can be particularly challenging to convince faculty and administrators to honor your rights. Even just ensuring your professors treat your disability confidentially can be difficult.
You don't have to deal with your university alone, though. Whatever disability issue you might be dealing with at Cornell, the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team is here to help. We know what to expect from colleges and universities, and we're always on your side, whatever the situation. You can count on us to use every resource at our disposal to ensure you the best possible outcome.
It's unfortunate, but sometimes, you have to fight for your educational rights. You don't have to do that alone, though. To find out more about how we can help, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or fill out our online questionnaire.
