Policy Statement
It is the policy of the COCC Board of Directors that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, color, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status in any educational programs, activities, or employment. Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the COCC Human Resources office at (541) 383-7218.
Operating Principles
COCC prohibits and actively discourages discrimination against people with disabilities.
Toward this end, the College community will continue to develop training and resources
to promote sensitivity and awareness of disability issues.
The College will organize its disability services in a way that promotes self-determination
for people with disabilities and that engages the entire campus community in access
issues.
In order to respect the independence, rights, and dignity of people with disabilities,
requesting an accommodation or identifying oneself as having a disability will be
voluntary. In accordance with data privacy laws and established College regulations,
the College will treat all personal data with confidentiality.
The office of Services for Students with Disabilities is open to COCC's faculty, staff,
and students as a resource on disability issues.
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. See Disability Services - COCC Complaint and Concerns Procedure.
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.
4. If you have filed an official grievance through the COCC Concerns Procedure, and you
are not satisfied with the results, you may also file your complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.