Disability Grievance
Quick Exit
For privacy, you can exit at any time.
What is a disability grievance?
A grievance is complaint of discrimination or harassment on the basis of disability. It can be made by staff, faculty, students and applicants for both University employment and academic admission, vendors, contractors, and third parties.
How to report a disability grievance
Report to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance
A grievance must be filed in writing, contain the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the alleged violation.
Additional Information & Filing ProceduresConfidentiality and Disability Grievances
Northwestern cannot ensure total confidentiality in its investigation of grievances filed under these procedures. However, Northwestern makes every reasonable effort to conduct investigations and related proceedings in a manner that protects the privacy of all parties.
Learn more about this issue
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will see my report?
What will happen to me after I report?
An investigation will follow the filing of a grievance. The investigation will be conducted by the Section 504 Coordinator or his/her designee.
You will have the opportunity to describe your allegations and present supporting witnesses or other evidence. The respondent will have the opportunity to respond to each allegation and present supporting witnesses or other evidence. The investigator will review evidence presented and may meet with additional witnesses.
What are the next steps? Will I be told the resolution of what I shared?
At the conclusion of an investigation, the Section 504 Coordinator will determine whether Northwestern’s policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment has been violated on the basis of disability. The Section 504 Coordinator will provide his or her conclusions and any recommended actions to the appropriate University office.
- For staff, the appropriate office is the Office of Human Resources in collaboration with the respondent’s manager(s).
- For students, the appropriate office is the Dean of Students.
- For faculty, the appropriate office is the faculty member’s Chair or Dean.
The appropriate office will review the recommendations and, in consultation with the Section 504 Coordinator, make a decision concerning the resolution of the grievance and any corrective actions that will be imposed. You and the respondent will be notified in writing of the outcome of the investigation upon its conclusion.
