UI&U Policies - Grievance Procedure for Learners

Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 504
Grievance Procedure for Learners

The university supports learners’ 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 learners 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 ADA compliance officer.

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

1. Learners are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the ADA compliance officer; adacoordinator@myunion.edu; 802-828-8740; TDD 800-486-9968.  The compliance officer will attempt to resolve the issues causing concern by assisting the learner 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 learner and involved parties will be notified by compliance officer 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 learner nor the compliance officer feels that a satisfactory resolution is reached, the compliance officer will make an appointment (within 10 days) with the provost to allow the learner to present her or his concern.  According to the learner’s desires the compliance officer may or may not be at this appointment. At this meeting, the learner may present evidence and/or witnesses. The provost 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 learner does not concur with the resolution proposed by the provost, he or she may choose to file a complaint with the Federal Office for Civil Rights or The Ohio Civil Rights Commission. UI&U is legally registered in Ohio and learner concerns should be addressed in Ohio, but learners may choose to contact their state OCR 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 learner has a complaint against the ADA compliance officer, the learner has the option of discussing the complaint with the compliance officer or going directly to the provost.
2. If the complaint is not resolved by the ADA officer or for a specific reason cannot be discussed with the ADA officer, the ADA officer will make an appointment (within 10 days of receiving the complaint) for the learner to meet with the provost to discuss the issues and explore resolution. The learner may also choose to bypass the ADA officer and contact the provost directly. At the meeting with the provost, the learner may present evidence and/or witnesses.  After investigating the situation, the provost will inform the learner 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 learner is not satisfied with the solution, he or she 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. Learners may choose to contact their state OCR office if they do not live in Ohio.

Resolving Alleged Discrimination by Another Learner
In a situation where a learner with a documented disability alleges discrimination by another learner, he or she  has the option of filing formal charges in accordance with the university’s policy and procedure on discriminatory harassment.

Contact
University Contact
ADA Compliance Officer
62 Ridge Street, Suite 2
Montpelier, VT 05602
adacoordinator@myunion.edu
802-828-8740 - TDD 800-486-9968 - Fax 802-828-8519
Additional Information is available on the UI&U ADA Compliance pages.

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.
TTY: 1-877-521-2172