Regulation-Code-IHBA-R

Complaints under Section 504 and ADA

Section I: Instructional Program

Regulation Complaints under Section 504 and ADA
Regulation Code: IHBA-R

Student Complaints of Disability Discrimination

TUSD has adopted this procedure for internally resolving and processing complaints of discrimination based on disability, and/or that a TUSD school or program did not follow its obligations under Section 504 or the ADA. Title II of the ADA states in part that, “... no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits for, or be subjected to discrimination... in programs or activities sponsored by a public entity”. This procedure meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). (Note: TUSD Policy AC governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination.)

Informal Resolution (Optional)

The best solutions to concerns often occur at the school level. Therefore, a student, parent or any other individual acting on behalf of the student may seek to resolve the complaint informally with the school principal and the school’s 504 Team Leader to come to a mutually acceptable resolution of the concern(s).

Formal Complaint Resolution Process

If the concern(s) cannot be resolved informally or if the complainant elects to bypass the informal process, the complainant may seek formal resolution under the District’s complaint process. The informal process does not have to be initiated or completed before the formal process begins.

Contact Information

Any student, parent or any other individual or group acting on behalf of a student, may file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of a physical or mental disability with the TUSD’s Section 504 Coordinator, who is designated as:

Tonya Haley
District 504 Coordinator, TUSD
Duffy: 5145 E. 5th Street, Room 114
Tucson, AZ 85719
[email protected]
520-232-7068

Complaint Procedure

Step One

The complaint should be submitted to the District 504 Coordinator at the contact listed above. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a recording of the complaint will be made available upon request.

Step Two

Within 15 calendar days after the Complaint is received, the District 504 Coordinator or designee will investigate the complaint in accordance with the procedures described in Regulation AC-R – Discrimination Complaint Procedure, and decide whether to seek to mediate the dispute between the complainant and school or refer the matter for an impartial due process hearing. If requested by the complainant, the District 504 Coordinator will meet with the parent to hear the concerns.

Step Three

If mediation is not desired by the complainant or is unsuccessful, the District 504 Coordinator will promptly and in writing with a copy to the complainant, refer the complaint for investigation following the procedures described in AC-R, or, if deemed appropriate by the District 504 Coordinator, refer for a due process hearing conducted by an impartial hearing officer. The hearing officer selected by the District 504 Coordinator must have knowledge of Section 504 and must not have an interest in the outcome.

Step Four

The District‐appointed hearing officer will schedule a due process hearing to occur as soon as practicable for the complainant and District. The hearing shall be recorded and the hearing officer shall render a written decision with findings of fact and conclusions of law within five business days after the conclusion of the hearing. The complainant may be represented by legal counsel at the hearing. The written decision of the hearing officer will advise the complainant that he or she may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education.

Other Remedies:

The foregoing informal and formal resolution processes are not a prerequisite to a complainant pursuing other remedies available under state or Federal law. At any time, a complainant may file a complaint by contacting:

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
1244 SPEER BLVD, SUITE 310
DENVER, CO 80204-3582