How To File A Complaint With The OCR
Section
504 is administered and monitored through the Office of Civil Rights. If you
feel your school is not cooperating or not following the Section 504 Plan, you
have a right to file a complaint. Below are guidelines, supplied by the
OCR on how to file a complaint.
If you
believe that you have been discriminated against because of your handicap, you
may file a complaint with OCR within 180 days from the date of the alleged
discriminatory act. (OCR may extend the 180-day period if good cause is
shown.) Include the following information in your complaint, or request a
Discrimination Complaint Form from OCR:
Your
name, address and telephone number. You must sign your name. (If you file a
complaint on someone's behalf, include your name, address, telephone number,
and statement of your relationship to that person e.g., spouse, attorney,
friend, etc.)
Name and
address of the institution or agency you believe discriminated against you.
How, why
and when you believe you were discriminated against.
Any
other relevant information.
Send the
complaint to the OCR regional office below or to the Washington, D.C.
headquarters' address on the front of this Fact Sheet.
Upon
receipt of your complaint, OCR staff will review it to determine coverage
under Section 504. If your complaint raises covered issues, an investigation
will be initiated. If discrimination is found, OCR will negotiate with the
institution or organization to voluntarily correct the discrimination. If
negotiations are unsuccessful, enforcement proceedings may be instituted to
suspend Federal funding. Under Section 504, you also have the right to consult
a private attorney and to seek relief through the filing of a private lawsuit
against the organization you allege discriminated against you.
Once a
complaint is filed with OCR, the law prohibits the alleged discriminating
party from taking retaliatory actions against a complainant or any person who
provides information to OCR regarding a complaint. OCR should be notified
immediately in the event of any retaliatory action.
If it is
determined that your complaint is not within OCR's jurisdiction, OCR may
forward it to an appropriate agency that may be able to help you.
For more
information about Section 504, as well as information on other laws enforced
by OCR, contact the OCR office below or headquarters. For circumstances where
you require a quick answer regarding a civil rights problem, you may call us
at the following Hotlines:
Voice: 1
-800-368- 1019; TDD : 1 -800-537-7697.
Office
for Civil Rights employees will make every effort to provide prompt service.
