Documentation used to evaluate the need and reason-ableness of potential accommodations may include a licensed professional’s current medical diagnosis and date of diagnosis, evaluation of how the student’s disability affects one or more of the major life activities and recommendations, psychological and/or emotion diagnostic tests, functional effects or limitations of the disability, and/or medications and recommendations to ameliorate the effects or limitations. FIDM may request additional documentation as needed. FIDM may, at its discretion, waive the requirement for medical docu-mentation to support accommodation requests that relate to obvious impairments.
In general, FIDM does not consider an Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) as sufficient medical docu-mentation to evaluate the need and reasonableness of potential accommodations. However, we will consider a current IEP (less than three years old) as reason-able medical documentation for students who request the following accommodations: (1) a test reader or
(2) a quiet place to take a test. Any other requested accommodation(s) will require medical documentation completed by a qualified professional in the area of the student’s disability, as specified in the chart located within this policy.
After the ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator receives the Request Form and the required documentation, they will engage the student or applicant in an interac-tive process to determine what accommodations may be reasonable.
The ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator will maintain a list of all students receiving accommodations and will coordinate the implementation of those accommoda-tions with each student’s instructors at the beginning (or in advance) of each quarter.
Students may file a grievance using the Grievance Process below or may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights or a similar state entity.
FIDM will make appropriate arrangements to en-sure that disabled persons are provided other accom-modations, if needed, to participate in this grievance process. The ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator will be responsible for such arrangements.
Grievance Process
213.624.1200, x3530; kwetzel@fidm.edu. Grievances must be submitted to the ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator, within thirty (30) days of the date the person filing the grievance becomes aware of the alleged discriminatory action.
A complaint must be in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory and the remedy or relief sought.
– The ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator (or their trained designee) shall investigate the complaint and afford all interested persons an opportunity to submit relevant evidence. The Complainant may also present witnesses relative to the complaint. The ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator will maintain the files and records relating to such grievances.
– All reasonable efforts will be made to provide a written determination to the student or applicant within 30 days after its filing. If a written determi-nation cannot be made within 30 days of the com-plaint’s filing, the ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator will so advise the student and provide an update as to the status of the investigation. The student may also contact the ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator to inquire as to the status of the investigation at reasonable intervals.
– The person filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator by writing to the Vice President of Education Barbara Bundy, 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90015; 213.624.1200 x 3000; bbundy@fidm.edu, within 15 days of receiving the
ADA 504 Compliance Coordinator’s decision. The Vice President of Education shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 30 days after its filing.
– The availability and use of this grievance proce-dure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U. S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and/or a similar state agency.
FIDM has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of com-plaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 and/or the ADA.
ENROLLMENT AGREEMENT & PERFORMANCE FACT SHEET
– FIDM will take all steps to prevent recurrence of any harassment or other discrimination and to correct discriminatory effects where appropriate.
Any person who believes they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, including disagreements regarding requested accommodations, may file a grievance pursuant to the procedure outlined below. FIDM will not retaliate against anyone who files a grievance in good faith or cooperates in the investiga-tion of a grievance.
GRADE APPEAL
Procedure:
– Grievances must be submitted to the ADA 504
Compliance Coordinator, Kim Wetzel, 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90015;
A prospective student is encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. The student is also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to the student prior to signing an enrollment agreement.
Students may appeal a final grade during the subse-quent quarter and not beyond such time. The student contacts the instructor to discuss how the final grade was determined. If no resolution is achieved, the student may go to the Education Department to fill