ADA Grievance Procedure for Students

Effective April 18, 2012 as revised

The university supports students’ rights to file a grievance when they believe they have been denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations, modifications, auxiliary aids, effective communication or suffered discriminatory harassment as described in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The grievance procedures that follow apply to students with documented disabilities who feel their rights have been violated under 504 and ADA. There are two grievance procedures listed below. One is for filing a grievance against the university, faculty, staff, academic department, non-academic department, program, and/or organization. The other procedure is for individuals who want to file a grievance against the Accessibility Coordinator.

Resolving Conflicts with the University, Faculty and/or Staff, Academic Department or University Non-academic Department, Program or Organization

  1. Students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the Accessibility Coordinator adacoordinator@myunion.edu | 802-828-8740, TDD 800-486-9968. The Accessibility Coordinator will attempt to resolve the issues causing concern by assisting the student in discussing issues with the faculty member, department, or program, participating in such discussions, or calling the faculty member and/or head of the department in an effort to clarify and resolve issues. Most situations are positively resolved through support and mediation. The student and involved parties will be notified by the Accessibility Coordinator of progress, findings or resolution within 10 days. Due to the urgency of many issues, it is likely that many problems will be resolved sooner.
  2. If neither the student nor the Accessibility Coordinator feels that a satisfactory resolution is reached, the Accessibility Coordinator will make an appointment (within 10 days) with the ADA Compliance Officer to allow the student to present her/his concern. According to the student’s desires the Accessibility Coordinator may or may not be at this appointment. At this meeting, the student may present evidence and/or witnesses. The ADA Compliance Officer will seek consultation as necessary and deliver a decision to all concerned within 10 days. Because UI&U is an at-distance university, this meeting may be by telephone.
  3. If the student does not concur with the resolution proposed by the ADA Compliance Officer, s/he may choose bring their issue(s) to the Provost.  The ADA Compliance Officer will make an appointment with the Provost within 10 days of the student’s non-concurring communication.  The ADA Compliance Officer will attend this meeting. The Provost will have 10 days to respond after the meeting.
  4. Should the student not concur with the Provost’s decision s/he may  file a complaint with the Federal Office for Civil Rights or The Ohio Civil Rights Commission. UI&U is legally registered in Ohio and student concerns should be addressed in Ohio, but students may choose to contact their state civil rights commission office if they do not live in Ohio. These entities will take complaints and will investigate when appropriate.

Resolving Conflicts with the ADA Officer

  1. When a student has a complaint against the Accessibility Coordinator, the student has the option of discussing the complaint with the ADA Compliance Officer or going directly to the Provost.
  2. If the complaint is not resolved by the ADA Compliance officer or for a specific reason cannot be discussed with the ADA Compliance officer, the ADA Compliance officer will make an appointment (within 10 days of receiving the complaint) for the student to meet with the provost to discuss the issues and explore resolution. The student may also choose to bypass the ADA Compliance Officer and contact the Provost directly. At the meeting with the Provost, the student may present evidence and/or witnesses. After investigating the situation, the provost will inform the student and involved parties of progress, findings, or resolution within 10 business days. Because UI&U is an at-distance university, this meeting may be by telephone.
  3. If the student is not satisfied with the solution, s/he may choose to file a complaint with the Federal Office for Civil Rights or The Ohio Civil Rights Commission. These entities will take complaints and will investigate when appropriate. Students may choose to contact the office of their state civil rights commission if they do not live in Ohio.

Resolving Alleged Discrimination by Another Student

In a situation where a student with a documented disability alleges discrimination by another student, s/he has the option of filing formal charges in accordance with the university’s policy and procedure on discriminatory harassment.

Contact

University Contact

Accessibility Coordinator | 62 Ridge Street, Suite 2 | Montpelier, VT 05602
adacoordinator@myunion.edu
802-828-8740/TDD 800-486-9968 | Fax 802-828-8519

UI&U Compliance Officer

802-828-8827
neal.meier@myunion.edu
Additional Information is available on the UI&U ADA Compliance page

Ohio Civil Rights Commission

614-466-5928/TDD 614-466-9353
Fax: 614-466-6250

Federal Office for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | 202-245-6800
1-877-521-2172