Accommodation Grievance

It is the obligation of the West Los Angeles College (WLAC or the College) faculty to render accommodations approved by the Disabled Student Program and Services (DSP&S) professionals in accordance with State and Federal laws, as applicable. The following process applies if a student is not receiving approved accommodations from any course of study at WLAC. WLAC takes all matters of disability-related discrimination seriously and will respond promptly. WLAC prohibits any form of retaliation, intimidation, or harassment against any individual who has filed or otherwise participated in the filing or investigation of a complaint, and any individual who believes he/she/they have been subjected to retaliation may file a complaint under the formal resolution procedure below.


If a WLAC faculty member is not implementing an accommodation approved by DSP&S, an aggrieved student may engage in the informal resolution procedure described in this section. Students are not required to engage the informal resolution procedure before filing a formal complaint for disability-related discrimination (see below). Throughout the implementation of informal resolution procedure and the formal resolution procedure, if an aggrieved student pursues formal resolution, the accommodation originally approved by DSP&S will be provided to the student.

1. Contact the DSP&S office for assistance, specifically the counselor or Dean in DSP&S:
   
   Bob Suppelsa, Acting Vice President, Administrative Services
   9000 Overland Ave.
   Email: @email
   Phone: (310) 287-4367
   
   Mr. David Hernandez, Counselor
   9000 Overland Ave.
   Culver City, CA 90230
   Email: @email
   
   Mrs. Edna Chavarry, Dean of Student Services
   9000 Overland Ave.
   Culver City, CA 90230
   Email: @email
2. Upon notification by the student that a member of the faculty is not implementing a DSP&S approved accommodation, a DSP&S staff member will attempt to resolve the matter within five (5) calendar days.
3. DSP&S will communicate with the instructor and, if needed, the Department Chair and/or Dean of the department for resolution.
4. If there is no resolution within five (5) calendar days, DSP&S will inform the student in writing of his/her rights to file a formal grievance for disability-related discrimination with:

• WLAC through the formal resolution procedure (see below);
• The LACCD Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and/or
• The Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights

Report An Issue with Receiving An Approved Accommodation

All allegations of disability-based discrimination at WLAC shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with this formal resolution procedure. This formal resolution procedure applies to complaints by students or third parties that allege discrimination on the basis of disability, including complaints that allege that actions taken by WLAC employees, by students, or by third parties are discriminatory, such as an allegation that a faculty member is not implementing a DSP&S approved accommodation or an allegation that a WLAC policy or procedure (or lack thereof) is discriminatory.

1. 1. The complainant will submit a written complaint to the College ADA Coordinator requesting resolution; if possible, the complainant’s written complaint may include a list of witnesses. The contact information for the College ADA Coordinator can be found below. The College ADA Coordinator and designee(s) receive annual training in appropriate investigatory approaches and the applicable legal standards.


   
   West LA College ADA Coordinator
   Silvia Barajas, Vice President, Administrative Services
   9000 Overland Ave.

   Culver City, CA 90230
   Email: 
@email
   Phone: (310) 287-4367
2. The College ADA Coordinator and designee(s) will immediately begin a reliable and impartial investigation, which includes an opportunity for the complainant to present documents and witnesses, and requires the College ADA Coordinator and designee(s) to gather relevant documentary evidence and interview relevant witnesses.
3. The College ADA Coordinator will issue a written notice of outcome to the complainant, Dean of Support Services, Dean of Academic Affairs, and respondent within sixty (60) calendar days of receiving the complainant’s written complaint. The written notice of outcome will include:
   • A determination if discrimination occurred, thus violating the College’s and LACCD’s discrimination policies based on the preponderance of the evidence, and the rationale for this determination;
   • If discrimination is found to have occurred, the College will identify and implement remedies that stop the discrimination, prevent recurrence, and remedy discriminatory effects on the complainant and others, if appropriate; and,
   • Appeal rights (see below).
4. If the complainant or respondent disagrees with the determination by the College ADA Coordinator, the following appeal process is available:
   • The complainant or respondent may submit a written appeal to the College President within ten (10) calendar days of the date of the College ADA Coordinator’s written notice of outcome. The written appeal should include the reason for appeal, such as the complainant or respondent feels there was an error in the College ADA Coordinator’s investigation or would like to present new information/evidence.
   • The College President shall have ten (10) calendar days from the date of the appeal to issue his/her written decision on the appeal, including the findings of fact and rationale for the decision.
   • The College President can alter or change the determination and corrective measures in the College ADA Coordinator’s written notice of outcome.
   • The College President’s decision on the appeal is final.

It is the policy of WLAC to provide an educational, employment and business environment free from all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, religion, creed, sex or gender (including sexual harassment), pregnancy, marital status, medical condition, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, perceived to be in a protected category or associated with those in protected category and veteran status.

All programs and activities of WLAC shall be operated in a manner which is free of discrimination. Employees, students, or other persons acting on behalf of the District and/or the College who engage in any form of discrimination as defined in this policy or by state or federal law shall be subject to discipline, up to and including discharge, expulsion, or termination of contract.

If you feel you have been discriminated against by a student or a College employee, faculty, staff or administrator, you may contact the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to file a complaint. The contact information for the LACCD Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion can be found below. You may also file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights. The contact information for the Office for Civil Rights can be found below. If you have witnessed discrimination, you may contact the LACCD Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or the Office for Civil Rights to file a complaint.

LACCD Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
770 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Director: (213) 891-2316
Office: (213) 891-2315
(213) 891-2317
Fax: (213) 891-2295

Office for Civil Rights
50 United Nations Plaza
Mailbox 1200, Room 1545
San Francisco, CA 94102

Main: (415) 486-5555
TDY: (800) 877-8339
Fax: (415) 486-5570
@email

Reference: LACCD Administrative Regulation C-14 – Procedures for Prohibited Discrimination, Unlawful Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Complaints