ADA/504 Committee
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require the University to appoint a coordinator to oversee compliance with these civil rights laws. In order to make this coordination effective and widely representative of our campus, President George Dennison appoints a committee rather than a individual for this coordination. The ADA/504 Committee advises and reports to President Dennison directly.
Anyone may approach the Committee with ADA and 504 issues. The Committee responds as the campus authority on the ADA and 504. In addition, the Committee implements the ADA and 504 self-evaluations and transition plans. These documents are available upon request at the President's Office in University Hall. In addition to coordination and enforcement duties, the Committee functions as an alternative dispute resolution body. Complaints of civil rights violations can be made to the Committee by contacting any of its members.
The Committee meets monthly but can convene more frequently when critical issues arise. Unless specified by the chairman, Committee meetings are open to the public. All meetings are held in accessible locations. For other reasonable accommodations to the meetings, meeting places and times, minutes of previous meetings, and other information pertinent to the University's compliance with the ADA and 504, contact the Committee chair. A current roster of the ADA/504 Committee, including contact information, is maintained by the President's Office.
The following is a quote from the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund:
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) encourages alternative means of dispute resolution where appropriate and to the extent authorized by law. These methods include settlement negotiations, conciliation, facilitation, mediation and arbitration. The use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is completely voluntary and is intended to supplement, and not to supplant, the other remedies provided by the ADA. No alternative dispute resolution procedure precludes the affected person from seeking relief under the enforcement provisions of the ADA. Alternative dispute resolution measures are not required to be used prior to the filing of an administrative complaint with federal government or through existing campus discrimination grievance procedures.
To provide a forum for problem solving by using third-party mediation or the University's ADA/504 Committee to process informally disputed issues and propose solutions. The alternative processes for resolving disputes are described below.
A member of the Campus Mediation Specialist Committee will be provided with the consent of the parties involved in the dispute. The mediator acts as a catalyst and assists the parties' exploration of solutions to barriers or disputed issues. A member of the ADA/504 Committee provides information concerning the requirements of the ADA. If mediation is unsuccessful, individuals may use the ADA Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee to resolve their conflict.
The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee consists of a minimum of three ADA/504 Committee members. The ADR Committee recommends a solution to the dispute. The resolution is provided in writing to the individual and the EEO/Affirmative Action Office.
