Young Harris College seeks to create and maintain an environment in which all students may learn, live, and work to their fullest potential. Consistent with this approach, YHC is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and relevant Housing and Urban Development regulations.
Student Development and Disability Services at Young Harris College are dedicated to serving the needs of students. If concerns or complaints arise, we strive to address them in a timely and efficient manner.
The General Student Complaints procedure found in the Guide to Student Life is available to students with disabilities. The grievance procedures listed below are additional procedures that apply to students with disabilities who feel their rights have been violated under the regulations listed above.
Scope of Policy
This policy specifically addresses students, staff or faculty members who have a grievance with decisions made regarding accommodations for students with disabilities.
Students who believe that they have been discriminated against or have experienced harassment on the basis of their disability either on campus or in affiliation with a College sponsored activity, program, or event should contact the ADA Coordinator, currently the Vice President of Student Development.
ADA Coordinator
Student Development
1 College St. Young Harris, GA 30582
lisantrans.com/student-life/contact
Definitions
Complainant: a student or employee who alleges that a decision regarding an accommodation request is incorrect or the implementation of an accommodation for a student is unacceptable.
Respondent: an employee of the College who refuses to provide an accommodation or provides an accommodation in an unacceptable manner.
Examples include a student who alleges that an accommodation has been refused by a faculty member, or an employee who is being asked to implement an accommodation and believes that accommodation fundamentally alters the nature of the program, service, or activity.
Grievance Procedure
Complainants are first advised to resolve a grievance via the informal process. Use of this informal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies but is encouraged as the first course of action. Students may also refer to the informal process as described in the Guide to Student Life.
-
A complainant is encouraged to discuss his/her concerns with the Director of Disability Services. The Director, to clarify and resolve issues, may:
a. Discuss the situation with the complainant.
b. Discuss the situation with the respondent (if other than the Director).
c. Mediate discussions between a complainant and any other relevant persons (most likely respondents), when appropriate.
d. Consult with the Director’s supervisor or other college employees who may help to resolve the situation.
e. Consult with other disability professionals in higher education when relevant (leaving the student anonymous in the process).
-
The Director of Disability Services will notify the complainant and respondents of progress, findings, and/or resolutions. Due to the urgency of most types of accommodations, every attempt will be made to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
- If the Director of Disability Services is unavailable, the Director’s supervisor (Vice President of Student Development), will serve in the Director’s role for the informal grievance process.
The Director of Disability Services will record outcome(s) of the informal process in writing to both the complainant and the respondent. A copy of the outcome will also be placed in the student’s file within Disability Services.
Most situations can be resolved through the informal process. However, if this avenue does not meet the needs of the parties involved, the complainant may choose to utilize the General Formal Grievance Procedure found in the Guide to Student Life.
Appeals
Appeals of the outcome of the informal or formal process should be based on one of the following criteria:
- New information has become available since the decision was rendered
- A YHC process or policy irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter
- Relevant YHC decision-maker(s) had a conflict of interest or bias for or against the requestor that affected the outcome of the matter
Appeals should be submitted in writing within 10 business days of the notification of the outcome.
Statement of Retaliation
Young Harris College prohibits retaliation against any individual who files a complaint regarding harassment (including sexual), discrimination or hazing, or is involved in the complaint or grievance process for any reason.
Additional Resources
ADA Coordinator
Student Development
1 College St.
Young Harris, GA 30582
lisantrans.com/student-life/contact
Disability Services
1 College St.
Young Harris, GA 30582
lisantrans.com/student-life/disability
Federal Office for Civil Rights
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
hhs.gov/ocr
Georgia: State ADA Coordinator's Office State ADA Coordinator's Office
c/o Georgia State Financing & Investment Commission
270 Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 3001D
Atlanta, GA 30334-9007
ada.georgia.gov
Georgia Advocacy Office
One West Court Square
Suite 625
Decatur, GA 30030
thegao.org
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 East Exchange Place
Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084
gnpec.georgia.gov