Fitchburg State University is committed to equal and integrated inclusion of individuals with disabilities and is continually improving accessibility of our campus, programs and activities.
For Employees
Human Resources is a referral point for:
- seeking reasonable workplace accommodations
- information, services and resources regarding ADA and Section 504
- consultation on policy reviews and facilities planning
- workshops and training on disability related topics/legal requirements
- implementation of reasonable requested accommodation
For more information, or to request a workplace accommodation, please contact Human Resources at 978.665.3172 or humanresources@fitchburgstate.edu.
Employees requesting accommodations based on religious or spiritual beliefs should contact Human Resources at 978.665.3172 or humanresources@fitchburgstate.edu.
For Students
Disability Services is a resource for the campus community to ensure academic and housing access and inclusion. They provide:
- academic accommodations
- resources
- training in assistive technology
- information to increase the understanding of disability throughout the university community
Information about student academic or housing accommodations can be found at Disability Services.
For pregnancy or related conditions, accommodations are available through the Title IX Coordinator. Please email Rebecca Newell, Director of Title IX and Equal Opportunity, rnewell7@fitchburgstate.edu.
IT Accessibility
Fitchburg State is committed to a barrier-free electronic information and technology environment. Fitchburg State works hard to update facilities, events, classes, books, videos, and the website to meet universal design principles and to be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.
When you are creating media or publishing text that will go on a screen, computer, video, internet, or slideshow, please follow these simple recommendations:
- add professional ADA-Compliant closed captioning
- add professional ADA-Compliant alternative text to images
- try to add content such as headlines and title in text on a page rather than photo text
- consider size, color, and contrast when creating content
- consider making content mobile friendly
Disability Services is available to assist the Fitchburg State community with making their content accessible.
Facilities Accessibility
Fitchburg State is committed to removing barriers that prohibit access to buildings and programs. Updates regarding construction and improvement projects can be found at Capital Planning and Maintenance.
Grievance Procedure
Students, employees or other community members who believe they have been denied reasonable accommodations or otherwise discriminated against on the basis of their disability may file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Officer, who also serves as the ADA/504 Coordinator. Complaints should be submitted via email to Rebecca H. Newell, Director of Title IX and& Equal Opportunity at rnewell7@fitchburgstate.edu or via the online complaint form. Individuals who are unable to file a complaint by these methods or require assistance may call 978.665.3236. Complaints will be resolved pursuant to the Massachusetts State Universities Equal Opportunity Plan.
Human Resources and Payroll Services
Disability Services
December 2021
Fitchburg State University is committed to providing equal access to otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. The university recognizes that individuals with disabilities may need reasonable accommodations to have equal access to participation and benefits from educational programs, services, activities and employment.
In accordance with state and federal requirements, Fitchburg State will provide necessary reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and academic adjustments (including support services) to otherwise qualified students with disabilities to assure equal access to its programs, facilities and services. Reasonable accommodations will also be afforded to applicants with documented disabilities who appropriately request accommodations during the admissions process in order to enable them to adequately pursue all opportunities for enrollment.
Fitchburg State University’s ‘Policies for Reasonable Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities’ are governed by the university’s System Equal Opportunity Plan. The Equal Opportunity Plan (“EO Plan”) also discusses the Complaint Investigation and Resolution Procedures.
Students
Any student seeking reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aid and/or academic adjustments for a disability must contact Disability Services. The decision to grant or deny a requested accommodation is made by Disability Services after engaging in a documentation review and in the interactive process with the individual.
Disability Services
Hammond Hall 303
978.665.4020
disabilityserviceslist@fitchburgstate.edu
Employees
Any employee seeking reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aid and/or work related adjustments for a disability must contact Human Resources. The decision to grant or deny a requested accommodation is made by Human Resources after engaging in a documentation review and in the interactive process with the individual.
Human Resources
Sanders 202
978.665.3172
humanresources@fitchburgstate.edu
Concerns
If an individual has a concern about a disability accommodation that was denied or only partially granted by Disability Services or Human Resources, that individual should first discuss their concern with the relevant office.
If an individual has a concern about how a disability accommodation (approved by Disability Services or Human Resources) is being implemented in their work or classroom environment, that individual should first discuss their concern with the staff or faculty member responsible for putting the disability accommodations into place and include the Director of Disability Services or the Director of Human resources as appropriate. The individual may also reach out to the Director of Disability Services or the Director of Human Resources for assistance in having the approved disability accommodation put into effect. If these conversations do not resolve the matter, the individual may then contact the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (Director of Compliance) to discuss these concerns. The individual may then request that a grievance/complaint be initiated regarding these concerns.