Student Disability Related Grievance Procedures

Students – How to appeal an Accommodation Decision

• Students may always submit new documentation of changing status or disability barriers to their Accommodation Specialist for consideration. 
• Students seeking to appeal an accommodation decision without additional documentation or change in disability may schedule an appointment with the Director of Student Accessibility and Testing Services at 503.399.5192 or submit their appeal via email. 
• The Director or designee will review the request, case notes, and documentation of disability and respond with an outcome no later than 10 business days. 

Students – Concerns regarding SAS service provider 

• Students who would like to change SAS service providers or have a concern regarding their SAS service provider should contact the Director of Student Accessibility and Testing Services, Building 2, Room 174 on the Salem campus, 503.399.5192. 
• If the student has a concern regarding the Director of Student Accessibility and Testing Services, they should contact the Executive Dean of Student Affairs Building 2, Room 208 on the Salem campus. 

Student – Concerns for non-implemented accommodations

• Students who feel that their approved accommodations are not being provided as authorized, should contact Student Accessibility Services immediately. Student Accessibility Services staff will work with the faculty member and provide assistance in implementing the identified accommodations.
• If the concern is not rectified, students may file a formal grievance with the Director of Student Accessibility Services as outlined in our concerns and complaint process.

Students – Concerns and Complaints of Discrimination Based Upon Disability 

Chemeketa Community College does not discriminate on the basis of Disability. The college has adopted an internal grievance procedure which provides prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program, service, or activity receiving Federal Financial assistance.

Student Concerns Process 

Student concerns regarding disability related matters with facility access, staff, classroom access, or college sponsored events. 

• Students are encouraged to speak with their Accommodation Specialist first to resolve their concerns. 
• The Accommodation specialist will assist in resolving concerns by contacting, clarifying, and facilitating communication with the employee, program, department, or organization. 
• Most situations are positively resolved with the Accommodation Specialists’ support and mediation. 
• If you are unable to effectively resolve the concern, or if you are dissatisfied with the progress, you may file a complaint with the college 504 Coordinator.

Complaint Procedure 

• Grievance must be submitted to the Section 504 Coordinator or their designee within 20 business days from the incidence of alleged discrimination. 
• A complaint may be filled in writing  by completing the complaint form, submitting a video recorded complaint to the 504 Coordinator, or a scribe will be proved to the complainant by a SAS staff member for assistance with filing the complaint. 
• The complaint must include the name, contact information, date, action taken, and any known witness of the alleged discriminatory action. 
• The complaint will be acknowledged within 5 business days of submission.
• The complainant is invited to schedule a meeting with the 504 Coordinator, 503.399.5192, in Building 2, Room 174 on the Salem campus and provide any additional information that may be relevant to the complaint. If the complainant choses to decline the meeting, then the investigation will be limited only to what was provided in the written grievance form. 
• The Section 504 Coordinator or designee shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. This investigation affords all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. 
• The student is advised that the 504 Coordinator will process and file the complaint in the strictest confidence possible. That said, there may be instances when other college departments and administrators will be involved. Information will be shared on a need-to-know only basis. 
• The Section 504 Coordinator will issue a written decision of the grievance no later than 20 days after its filing. 
• Due to the urgency of the issues, every effort will be made to resolve the complaint sooner than the outlined timeframe. 
• The Section 504 Coordinator shall maintain records relating to the grievance for a period of three years.
• If the student is unable to resolve the complaint to their satisfaction through the established grievance process, or at any time during this process, the student may contact the Office for Civil Rights.
  • Telephone 206-607-1600
  • FAX: 206-607-1601; TDD: 800-877-8339
  • Email: OCR.Seattle@ed.gov
• OCR

Appeals of Complaint 

• The student filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the 504 Coordinator to the Executive Dean of Student Affairs. 
• The appeal should be provided in writing to the Executive Dean of Student Affairs Building 2, Room 208 on the Salem campus. 
• The Executive Dean will review the submitted complaint, case notes and materials from the original complaint. 
• A written decision of the appeal will be provided within 20 business days. 
• The decision of the Executive Dean is final. 
• Records of the appeal will be kept on file for a period of three years. 

Grievance regarding any participating authority of the original grievance or appeal. 

Complaint regarding authorities involved in original grievance

• A complaint or grievance regarding any participating authority of the original grievance or the appeal, must be submitted in writing to the Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs, 503.399.5179, within 30 days of the final outcome. 
• The Vice President will review the original grievance, investigatory files, and appeal procedure. 
• The Vice President will submit a response in writing within 30 days of receipt of the filed complaint. 
• The Vice President's decision is final and no additional internal steps for appeal are available. 

U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, WA 98174-1099
Phone: 206.607.1600
TDD: 1.800.877.8339
Fax: 206.607.1601

Disability Rights Oregon
511 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 200
Portland, OR 97205
Phone: 503.243.2081 or 1.800.452.1694
TTY: 503.323.9161 or 1.800.556.5351
Fax: 1.800.513.2321

*Employees with disability related complaints or concerns should contact Human Resources 503.399.5009, Building 2, Room 214.