Disability Discrimination Policy Summary

In accordance with these laws, Bethel provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to seek admission to the university and apply for employment. Individuals seeking employment must be able to perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodations. Bethel desires to promote institutional programs and employment practices that are accessible to all individuals with disabilities.

The Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS) seeks to meet individual needs by coordinating and implementing internal policy regarding programs, services, and activities for individuals with disabilities. OARS functions as a source of information and advice and as a communication link among individuals with disabilities, faculty and staff members, and the community at large. Accommodating qualified individuals with disabilities in a mainstreamed environment is the overall objective of the OARS office.

If a prospective student, applicant, student, faculty, or staff member with a disability requires accommodations to benefit from Bethel’s programs, services or activities, he or she should contact the Director of the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services or the Office of People and Culture. OARS receives and reviews disability-related documentation and handles the approval of requested reasonable accommodations. The process of documentation review involves an individual assessment of the individual’s disability with respect to the documentation presented and the accommodations requested. OARS focuses on providing services needed by students, staff, and guests of the university with disabilities to minimize the extent to which their disability affects their opportunities in the Bethel academic environment.

If a member of the Bethel community has a concern or has become aware of an instance of disability discrimination involving a prospective student, applicant, student, faculty member, staff member, or third party, the Section 504 Compliance Officer must be contacted immediately. Bethel will investigate and take prompt corrective action against any disability discrimination by or against its community members. Bethel has adopted the following policy and procedures as a basis for community guidance, education, and complaint resolution.

All complaints will be taken seriously and no one who acts in good faith to report disability discrimination, including third parties (e.g., vendors), will suffer actual or threatened retaliation or reprisal. Complaints of discrimination will be treated in confidence to the extent feasible, given the need to conduct a thorough investigation and take corrective action.

If it is determined through an appropriate and prompt investigation that disability discrimination has occurred, effective corrective action will be taken to eliminate the discrimination, attempt to ensure that it does not recur, and appropriately care for those who may have been harmed. Depending on circumstances and the severity of the conduct, corrective action will vary. Resolution steps could include one or more of the following for students: training, advising or coaching from student life or campus ministry professionals, reflection paper, behavioral probation, suspension, dismissal, or expulsion. For employees resolution steps could include one or more of the following: training, advising or coaching from a professional, verbal or written warning, or termination.

The purposes of this policy include:

• Prohibiting all forms of discrimination based on disability,
• Creating and promoting a positive work environment that is free from any form of discrimination,
• Encouraging good faith complaints when discrimination based on disability has occurred, and
• Providing options for addressing and resolving complaints of disability discrimination.

For a full copy of the policy, visit our website: https://confluence.bethel.edu/x/nYmw

Reporting Disability Discrimination

If you have personally experienced any form of disability discrimination, tell someone as soon as possible. In order to initiate Bethel’s response and resolution process under this Policy, you or another person must notify the Section 504 Compliance Officer. If a member of the Bethel community has a concern or has become aware of an instance of possible disability discrimination involving a prospective student, applicant, student, faculty, or staff member, the Section 504 Compliance Officer must be contacted immediately. You may also choose to remain anonymous and submit an online anonymous report: https://www.bethel.edu/people-culture/complaints-concerns/submit-anonymous-report. This report is separate from initiating an informal or formal complaint through Bethel University.

Contact Information:

Counseling Services            Office of Christian Formation and Church Relations              

651.635.8540                       651.638.6372