Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities

Oakwood adheres to the requirements of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in public accommodations. As part of this policy, students with qualified disabilities, or their parents, may request reasonable accommodations that would permit the student full and equal access to the goods, services, and operations of Oakwood. This policy prohibits unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation because of a student’s own disability, or because of association with a person who has a known disability.  The procedure for accommodations is as follows:

1. Request for Accommodation - A student with a qualified disability, who desires a reasonable accommodation in order to access the goods, services, or operations of Oakwood, or his or her parents, should make a request in writing to the Head of School or a Principal. The request must identify: a) the goods, services, or operations to which the student requests full and equal access; and b) the desired accommodation(s).

2. Reasonable Documentation of Disability - Following receipt of the request, the Head of School or Principal may require additional information, such as reasonable documentation from a medical provider demonstrating the existence of a disability.  Such documentation should not identify the disability, but only indicate that: (1) the student has a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities; and (2) the manner in which the disability limits major life activities relevant to a student's participation in the school’s education program (i.e., what are the functional limitations of the student with regard to his or her participation in the School’s educational program).

Documentation of a disability will be kept confidential and will be shared only with school personnel involved with the coordination and facilitation of services and accommodations, except as is otherwise required by law or emergency health services. After receipt of reasonable documentation of a qualified disability, the school may arrange for a discussion with the student and the student’s parents. The discussion may include other individuals that may be helpful for the school to better understand the student’s disability or limitations or the need for accommodations.  The purpose of the discussion is to work in good faith to fully discuss all feasibly potential reasonable accommodations.

3. Case-by-Case Determination - Oakwood will determine, in its sole discretion, whether reasonable accommodation(s) can be made, and the type of accommodation(s) to provide. Oakwood will not provide accommodation(s) that would pose an undue hardship upon school finances or operations, or that would endanger the health or safety of the student or others, or that would fundamentally alter the nature of the school or its goods, services, or operations, or that would cause undue burden to the school. The school will inform the student’s family of its decision as to reasonable accommodation(s) in writing.