Disability Policy

Policy Summary

The George Washington University (“GW” or “university”) is committed to providing to qualified individuals with disabilities access to participate in its educational programs and activities, and employment opportunities, on an equal basis. The university shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as necessary to provide equal participation for qualified persons with disabilities. The purpose of this policy is to provide an avenue for qualified persons with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), reasonable accommodations to access or participate in the university’s educational programs and activities, and employment opportunities. The university’s commitment to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and to not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of a protected characteristic, including disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law can be found in the Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-harassment, and Non-Retaliation Policy.

Related Regulations

• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Who is Governed by this Policy 

• This policy applies to all university faculty, postdocs, staff, students, and other individuals and entities, including but not limited to applicants, affiliates, and visitors (collectively, “GW Community Members”).

Policy

The university is committed to the principles of inclusion necessary to create a campus community in which the unique contributions of all its members are valued equally. Pursuant to the ADA, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the laws of the District of Columbia, the university will provide qualified persons with the accommodations deemed reasonable for equal access to educational programs and activities, and employment opportunities, in the most integrated setting feasible. These laws also prohibit the unlawful discrimination on the basis of disability as well as any other basis prohibited by applicable law. The university’s Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-harassment, and Non-Retaliation Policy provides definitions of unlawful discrimination and discriminatory harassment, along with reporting avenues to review and resolve allegations of discrimination and/or harassment.

This policy applies to all aspects of the university’s operations, programs, and activities. Failure to reasonably accommodate qualified persons with disabilities is a violation of federal and/or district laws as well as university policy.

Consistent with the Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-harassment, and Non-Retaliation Policy, the university is committed to the equitable application of this policy and related procedures in a manner that does not discriminate based on the protected characteristics, such as age, color, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national origin (including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics), pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and/or other characteristics protected by applicable law. 

Current Students 

Disability Support Services (DSS) assists students with disabilities as they navigate the university. The DSS website maintains information related to students, academics, and accommodations. Students with a qualified disability in need of accommodations or other services must register with DSS and submit the requisite documentation to establish their eligibility for, and subsequent implementation of, reasonable and appropriate accommodations. For more information, students should contact DSS at (202) 994-8250 or %20dssgwu [dot] edu (dss[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Prospective and Current Employees

Prospective and current employees who believe they need an accommodation because of a disability are responsible for requesting a reasonable accommodation. The university will provide a qualified individual with a disability a reasonable accommodation in regard to the job application process and in employment.

To request information about reasonable accommodations or the protections against discrimination on the basis of disability, employees and other professional members of the university community should contact Human Resource Management and Development at %20accommodationsgwu [dot] edu (accommodations[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Prospective Students, Visitors, and Event Attendees

University academic or administrative units, registered student organizations, and GW Community Members that host or sponsor events are responsible for taking steps to make their events accessible to their audiences, including those with disabilities. Guidance on planning accessible events can be found on the Accessibility@GW website. Hosting or sponsoring units, student organizations, or GW Community Members should connect with DSS or HRMD as applicable for specific inquires. 

Prohibited Retaliation 

Retaliation against an individual for requesting or having a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Retaliation is materially adverse employment or academic action, harassment, intimidation, threats, or coercion, intended to punish or discourage an individual or group of individuals from engaging in protected activity. Protected activity includes, but is not limited to, engaging in the interactive process of requesting and evaluating reasonable accommodations or participating in a complaint process such as the Disability Accommodation Petition Procedure described below. 

Section 504 Coordinator

The Section 504 Coordinator coordinates the university’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and can be contacted via the university's Barrier to Accessibility Report Form.

Disability Accommodation Review and Appeal Procedure 

In the event an individual wishes to petition any determination under this policy (for example, whether an individual has a disability, whether documentation provided is adequate, or when a requested accommodation is denied), the individual should first attempt to have their concerns reviewed by the Director of DSS (for students) or the Vice President and Chief People Officer (for employees). If a review fails or is impracticable, the individual may file a petition. Appeals can be submitted through the Disability Accommodation Petition Procedure Form. 

Definitions

Disability: Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is defined as a person who has an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a history or record of such an impairment, or is perceived by others as having such an impairment. Major life activities, as defined by the ADA, include activities such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, eating, hearing, speaking, breathing, reading, thinking, communicating, learning, and working. Temporary impairments are not considered disabilities under the ADA in and of themselves. However, complications that limit one or more major life activities resulting from these temporary conditions may constitute coverage under certain circumstances.  

Procedures 

Disability Accommodation Petition Procedure

Related Information

• Accessibility@GW
• Digital Content Accessibility Policy
• Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Non-Retaliation Policy
• Non-Retaliation Policy

Contacts

Contact	Phone Number	Email Address
Section 504 Coordinator		504coordinatorgwu [dot] edu (504coordinator[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Disability Support Services	202-994-8250	dssgwu [dot] edu (dss[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Human Resource Management and Development	202-994-9656	accommodationsgwu [dot] edu (accommodations[at]gwu[dot]edu)