|
|
Services for Students with Disabilities
Your Civil Rights
As a student with a disability, you have certain rights that are guaranteed to you by law. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that "no otherwise qualified handicapped individual shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance". This means that you will not be denied access to any class or to class material solely on the basis of your disability.
Some laws outlining the protections for persons with disabilities have used the word ‘handicapped’ to describe such individuals. This handbook has used the word ‘disabled’. A person with a disability is one whose disabling condition, physical or mental, substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, speaking, or learning.
Central Oregon Community College complies with Section 504 and the ADA by:
- ensuring that treatment of students is free from discrimination in programs of academic and occupational training, counseling, tutoring, academic advising, financial aid, physical education, recreation and other extracurricular activities
- ensuring that treatment of students is free from discrimination in programs of academic and occupational training, counseling, tutoring, academic advising, financial aid, physical education, recreation and other extracurricular activities
- ensuring that its educational programs and activities are free from discrimination by providing certain accommodations and auxiliary aids, such as note takers, extended test time, alternative format materials, computer access, etc.
- making facilities as barrier free as possible.
Students with disabilities who have a grievance (complaint) with a staff or faculty member, or with a COCC policy, should consider the following process to gain a resolution of their grievance.
1. If you believe that you have experienced discrimination because of your disability in any class or because of any procedure of the college, you should bring this alleged discrimination to the attention of the instructor or the individual involved.
The Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities is prepared to provide assistance by consulting with you and by acting as liaison between students and other campus individuals.
The Coordinator of SSD can also help you identify the most appropriate office or individual to resolve the problem and can provide telephone numbers or contact names. This process usually results in a mutually satisfactory resolution and is often the quickest and most direct route to a solution.
2. If you continue to believe your rights have been violated, it is then appropriate to follow the College’s formal Concerns Procedure outlined below. The Coordinator of SSD can assist in communicating the problem and act as a liaison.
3. If your complaint is with the Coordinator of SSD, you are encouraged to discuss your concern and options for redress directly with the Vice President for Instruction.
Table of Contents
|
|