How should schools support students with disabilities during Title IX proceedings?

• A. Offer no accommodations to protect privacy.
• B. Provide reasonable accommodations, accessible formats, interpreters, and accessible procedures to ensure participation.
• C. Only adjust schedules and deadlines to reduce stress.
• D. Require the student to navigate the process without supports.

Answer: (B)

Providing reasonable accommodations and accessible procedures is essential to ensure students with disabilities can participate fully in Title IX proceedings. Under disability rights laws, schools must enable equal access by offering supports that do not alter the outcome of the process but remove barriers to participation. This includes providing materials in accessible formats (such as large print, braille, or documents compatible with screen readers), arranging interpreters or captioning for Deaf or hard-of-hearing students, and ensuring communications and hearings themselves are accessible (for example, accessible rooms, remote participation options, and assistive technology). Procedures should be designed so a student can engage with the investigation and hearing process—notice, evidence, and deadlines—without unnecessary obstacles, and with accommodations that respect privacy. While accommodations should be provided promptly and at no cost, schools may assess whether any requested change would fundamentally alter the process or impose an undue burden, and work with the student to find workable solutions. This approach aligns with the goal of Title IX to provide equal educational opportunities and protect students’ rights during proceedings.