EIU Department of Student Disability Services

Accommodation Determination Reconsideration and Appeal

Reconsideration 

The student has the right to request a reconsideration of accommodation determinations made by the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) if the student feels the determination is inaccurate. If the student has additional information relevant to the accommodation request that was not previously shared, the student should provide that information to the OAA. Additional information can include further conversations with the OAA Director or additional documentation that was not previously shared. The Director will review and consider the new information and make a decision regarding the requested accommodation. The student will be notified of the decision in writing to the student’s EIU email address. 

Appeal 

After all relevant information has been shared with the OAA, if the student still disagrees with the determination of the accommodation request and would like to appeal the decision, the student may file a request for reevaluation through the process detailed below.  

During the appeal process, a student should continue to fulfill academic requirements until a final determination has been provided.   

1. The student shall submit a written or recorded appeal to the Dean of Student Success no later than twenty (20) working days after the notification of the accommodation or its denial. The appeal can be sent to studentsuccess@eiu.eduThe request shall include the reason for the appeal regarding the disability-related need for the accommodation. The appeal should explain why the denied accommodation is needed to address the current impacts of the student’s disability at EIU. The student should describe how equal access is impaired or lacking. Having received an accommodation from a previous institution or in the K-12 system is not in itself a sufficient basis. If the student is objecting to the approval of an accommodation, they should be prepared to explain the basis for their objection.

All information or documentation pertaining to the accommodation request being appealed that was shared with the OAA will be shared with the Dean of Student Success. 

2. The Dean of Student Success will review the request within ten (10) working days after the receipt of the appeal. Within those ten (10) days, the Dean may contact the student for a meeting to discuss the appeal further if necessary. The student also has the right to request a meeting with the Dean as part of the appeal process.  

Within the ten (10) day review period, the Dean may consult with the University’s ADA Coordinator, General Counsel, and other parties as necessary. 

3. After review, the Dean will reach a final determination and will either 1) uphold the original determination or 2) rescind the finding and issue a new accessibility determination. 

By the end of the ten (10) day review period the Dean will notify the student of the determination in writing to the student's EIU email address. The decision of the Dean of Student Success is final. 

If through the appeal process an accommodation is granted, then the accommodation will be granted moving forward. Accommodations are not retroactive.   

 This policy is current as of May 30, 2025. The University reserves the right to make changes to this policy as necessary at any time.  

Website updated 06/02/2025.