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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 The Office of Disability Accessibility Resources and Services (DRSOARS) seeks to meet individual needs by coordinating and implementing internal policy regarding programs, services, and activities for individuals with disabilities. The DRS 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 DRS officeOARS.
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 Disability Accessibility Resources and Services or the Office of Human Resources. DRS 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. DRS 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.
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A complainant is an individual or group of individuals who believe that discrimination may have or has occurred.
Director of the Office of
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Accessibility Resources and Services
The Director of the Office of Disability Accessibility Resources and Services provides leadership and oversight of all disability-related access and programming for prospective students, applicants, students, staff, and faculty from all schools of Bethel University.
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The Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer will act as the Section 504 Compliance Officer responsible for the administration and supervision of the policy and procedures set forth herein. The Section 504 Compliance Officer is the administrator to whom a complaint is reported and addressed according to policy and procedures.
Cara Wald, the University’s Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer, serves as the Section 504 Compliance Officer with primary responsibility for oversight and enforcement of this Policy, as well as identifying and addressing any systemic problems that arise during the review of complaints. Cara Wald may be contacted at Bethel University, Office of Human Resources, 3900 Bethel Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55112, or 651.635.8657, or c-wald@bethel.edu.
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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[CW1] : https://www.bethel.edu/human-resources/complaints-concerns/submit-anonymous-report/. This report is separate from initiating an informal or formal complaint through Bethel University.
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It is strongly recommended that any individual involved in the resolution of a disability discrimination complaint seek personal support through relationships with a few trusted family members or friends. Additional support is available through Counseling Services or Campus Ministriesthe Office of Christian Formation and Church Relations. Students with disabilities may request assistance from the Office of Disability Accessibility Resources and Services. Bethel reserves the right to provide accommodations during the investigation process to create a safe and affirming environment.
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Regardless of whether a complaint has been received, Bethel may, at any time and at its sole discretion, initiate an investigation of or take action against any disability discrimination occurring within the Bethel community. In the event that the complainant does not wish to pursue the complaint process, any response by the University may be hindered by the complainant’s wishes for anonymity and/or inaction.
Revised 7/2016
[CW1]Insert link
8/2019