Chapter 2.100
HANDICAP GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Sections:

2.100.010    Section 504 handicap grievance procedure.

2.100.010 Section 504 handicap grievance procedure.

A. The Columbia County board of commissioners has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the Office of Revenue Sharing’s (ORS) regulations (31 CFR 51.55(d)(2)) implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 USC 794). Section 504 states, in part, that “no otherwise qualified handicapped individual ... shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. ...”

B. Complaints should be addressed to:

County Handicap Coordinator

County Courthouse

341 E. Main

Dayton, WA 99328

Phone (509) 382-4676

C. A complaint should be filed in writing or verbally, contain the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the alleged violation of the regulations.

D. A complaint should be filed within seven working days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.

E. An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow a filing of a complaint. The investigation will be conducted by the county handicap coordinator. These rules contemplate informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a complaint. Under 31 CFR 51.55(d)(2), the Columbia County board of commissioners need not process complaints from applicants for employment.

F. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and description or resolution, if any, shall be issued by the county handicap coordinator and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than 30 days after its filing.

G. The Section 504 handicap coordinator shall maintain the files and records of Columbia County relating to the complaints filed.

H. The complainant can request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration should be made within 30 days to the Columbia County board of commissioners.

I. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies such as the filing of Section 504 complaint with the Office of Revenue Sharing, U.S. Department of the Treasury. Utilization of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.

J. These rules shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons, to meet appropriate due process standards and to assure that Columbia County complies with Section 504 and the ORS regulations. [Res. 84-14.]