Yale University was sued for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by unfairly penalizing students suffering from mental illnesses.
According to the suit filed Wednesday by two students and a mental-health advocacy group, Elis for Rachel Inc., Yale has “treated unequally and failed to accommodate students with mental health disabilities, including by modifying policies,” in violation of federal law. They are requesting class-action status for their complaint, which was filed in New Haven, Connecticut, where Yale is located.
According to the suit, Yale imposes punitive consequences for students who are forced to withdraw due to their disability, makes it nearly impossible to attend anything other than full-time, and refuses accommodations for disabilities in coursework or housing. According to the suit, such policies have a greater impact on “students of color, students from poor families or rural areas, and international students.”
Karen Peart, a Yale spokeswoman, said the university has taken steps in recent years to simplify and support students on medical withdrawals.
“Yale’s faculty, staff, and leaders genuinely care about our students,” said Peart in a statement. “The university is confident that all applicable laws and regulations are met.”
Nonetheless, we have been working on policy changes that are sensitive to the emotional and financial well-being of students.”
According to the lawsuit, one plaintiff, Hannah Neves, “involuntarily withdrawn from Yale within days of seeking inpatient mental health treatment.” When Neves displayed symptoms of a mental health disability, she claimed the university urged her to take “voluntary” time off rather than consider any possible accommodations that would keep her enrolled.
According to the lawsuit, students are discouraged from seeking treatment because they believe it will lead to withdrawal.