A former law student is taking legal action against a prominent university, alleging that the institution failed to accommodate his documented disability, leading to his academic dismissal. Derrick Phillips filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina on February 9, 2026, against High Point University (HPU), claiming violations of federal disability laws.
The case centers around Phillips’ diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which he claims substantially limits his major life activities such as concentration and test-taking. Before enrolling at HPU’s School of Law, Phillips received formal testing accommodations at Clemson University. On September 23, 2025, he formally requested similar accommodations from HPU’s Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS), including extended time on exams and a reduced-distraction environment. Despite acknowledging Phillips as an individual with a disability on November 20, 2025, OARS deferred and denied these accommodations pending additional documentation.
Phillips argues that this delay left him without necessary support during final examinations starting December 2, 2025. He alleges that HPU’s failure to provide interim or provisional accommodations resulted in his inability to complete significant portions of his exams, directly leading to his academic dismissal. The complaint highlights that another student received temporary accommodations under similar circumstances while Phillips did not.
In his lawsuit, Phillips accuses High Point University of violating Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He asserts that HPU acted with deliberate indifference by failing to offer reasonable modifications or interim measures during a critical examination period. As relief, Phillips seeks compensatory damages for economic and non-economic losses resulting from the university’s actions. Additionally, he requests declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent future occurrences.
Representing himself pro se in this matter, Derrick Phillips is seeking justice through the court system for what he perceives as an unjust denial of equal access to educational opportunities due to his disability. The case is under Case ID: 1:26-cv-00151.
Source: 126cv00151_Phillips_v_High_Point_University_Complaint_Middle_District_North_Carolina.pdf
