North Iowa Area Community College supports you, as a student with a disability, in your right to file a grievance when you believe you have been denied equal access to NIACC’s services, programs and activities.  The procedure described below applies to students with disabilities who feel their rights have been violated under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008.

Students are encouraged to address problems early, so that issues are less likely to escalate into grievances.  The student has a right to present witnesses and other evidence during the grievance process.

Procedure:

1. If informal discussions with College personnel have not resolved the issue, the individual shall submit a written complaint to the Director of Disability Service, using the Anti-Discrimination Grievance Form.  The Director of Disability Services will attempt to resolve complaints with the parties involved.   The student and involved parties will be notified by the Director of progress, findings, or resolution within 10 business days after receiving the complaint.
2. If the Student and the Director of Disability Services cannot produce a resolution to the conflict, the Student may contact the Vice President of Student Development & Success (VPSDS) to request assistance.  The VPSDS, in consultation with other involved parties, will evaluate the complaint and determine an appropriate resolution.  The VPSDS will inform all involved parties of her progress, findings or resolution within 10 business days after receiving the complaint.
3. In a founded case where it’s been shown discrimination has occurred, NIACC will take steps to prevent recurrence of any discrimination and to correct discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate.
4. The student is encouraged, when possible, to resolve the complaint by utilizing the steps described above.  If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of this procedure or does not want to utilize the College’s grievance procedure, he/she has the right to file a complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at any time to begin the formal stage of the complaint process.  More information is available from OCR.

Note:  When a student has a complaint against NIACC Disability Services and/or one of its staff members, the student should first discuss the complaint with the Director of Disability Services.  If the complaint is not resolved or for a specific reason cannot be discussed with the Director of Disability Services, the student should contact the VPSDS.

Contact Information:

Director of Disability Services/ADA Coordinator
500 College Drive
Mason City, IA 50401
Administration Building, Room 106
Telephone:  641.422.4296
Fax:  641.422.4108
Email:  lisa.vance@niacc.edu

Vice President of Student Development & Success (VPSDS)
Dr. Rachel McGuire
500 College Drive
Mason City, IA 50401
Telephone:  641.422.4104
Fax:  641.422.4385
Email:  Rachel.McGuire@niacc.edu

Chicago Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
John C. Kluczynski Federal Building
230 @. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor
Chicago, Il 60604
Telephone: 312.730.1560
Facsimile: 312.730.1576
TDD: (800) 877.8339
Email:  OCR.Chicago@ed.gov

All written grievances received by North Iowa Area Community College and documentation of all proceedings will be retained by the Disability Services Office for at least three (3) years.  This documentation may include materials such as written findings of facts, transcripts, or audio recordings.