Advocacy and Support

• Know yourself
• Know what you need
• Know how to get it

Self advocacy does not mean doing it all yourself. We're here to support you. 

Disability and Accessibility Resources (DAR) exists to ensure that students with disabilities have similar experiences, opportunities and access to information as fully, equally and independently as do peers without disabilities. If you are a parent of a current or incoming Hope College student, please check out our Letter to Parents to understand how you can stay involved during your student's time at college.

STUDENT RIGHTS

• Have equal access to educational programs, services, field trips and other activities.
• Request reasonable accommodations needed for a disability.
• Be permitted to discuss problems related to accessibility and your academic accommodation(s) with our staff and, if necessary, to seek redress through appropriate administrative channels.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Self-identify as a qualified person with a disability by completing a Request for Access form.
• Provide documentation of a disability to DAR as needed. 
• Request notification of approved accommodations be sent to faculty each semester by completing a semester request in Accommodate.
• Meet with faculty to discuss your learning needs in a confidential environment and determine how to best implement approved accommodations.
• Complete a Request for Testing Accommodations within established deadlines as needed for assessments.
• Accept responsibility for your successful education. This includes maintaining satisfactory academic levels, attending classes, completing assignments, behaving appropriately and communicating regularly with the appropriate office and/or individual regarding specific needs.

OUR ROLE

Disability and Accessibility Resources serves as a central point of information and coordination to ensure equal access and full participation for students. This requires an interactive process. You know your strengths and struggles. We know resources that are available to assist you to be successful. We want you to make informed choices and feel good about your experience at Hope. 

REPORTING DISCRIMINATION

Hope is committed to equal rights, equal opportunities and equal protection under the law. To uphold these protections, we have adopted a “one policy, one process” model for managing complaints and concerns about discrimination based on any protected class, including sex/gender, disability, race and ethnicity. 

You can view our Equal Opportunity, Harassment & NonDiscrimination Policy online. Reports of discrimination or harassment can be made by filling out the Discrimination & Harassment Reporting Form or by contacting Sara Dorer, Senior Director of Equity and Compliance/ADA Coordinator. 

OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

Inquiries may be made externally to:

OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS (OCR)

U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Customer service hotline: (800) 421-3481
Fax: 202.453.6012
TDD: 877.521.2172
OCR@ed.gov

The local Office of Civil Rights can be contacted at:

OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS (Cleveland OFFICE)

U.S. Department of Education
1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 325
Cleveland, OH 44115-1812
216-522-4970

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC)

http://www.eeoc.gov/contact/

Read more about your rights and responsibilities as a student in higher education at the Office of Civil Rights website.