Information Technologies Accessibility Grievance Procedure

Grievance Procedure
Oakland Community College (OCC) is committed to removing barriers to education that may be experienced by students with disabilities by providing appropriate academic support and reasonable accommodations. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504 & 508) and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulate the provision of services and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in higher education. The Accessibility Compliance Center and Educational Support Services (ACCESS) offices are responsible for providing OCC students with accommodations.

OCC supports students in their right to file a grievance when a student believes they have been denied equal access in the form of eligibility, appropriate and reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids, or believe they have experienced discriminatory harassment as defined in the OCC Board of Trustees nondiscrimination policy (Board Policy 2.6.1; 2.6.3).

OCC encourages students, prospective students, employees, guests and visitors to follow the steps outlined in this document, should they believe it is necessary to file a complaint. Students are encouraged to review the OCC Student Handbook policies for academic and non-academic grievance procedures.

OCC also encourages students, prospective students, employees, guests and visitors to report violations of the technical standards adopted by the College regarding web accessibility using the General Complaint / Suggestion Form.

Students:

Steps to Address and Resolve a Complaint/Concern:

Step 1 - ACCESS Coordinator: Students should discuss the complaint with the ACCESS Coordinator on the campus where they are taking the majority of their classes as soon possible after the incident has occurred. The ACCESS Coordinator will consult with appropriate College personnel, depending on the nature and scope of the complaint, and will bring relevant resources and personnel together to help resolve the issue. Resolution of the issue may be reached at this level. However, if a resolution is not reached, students may file an appeal to the Dean of Learning Resources.

Step 2 - Appeal: The student must file a written appeal to the Dean of Learning Resources, or designee, within 10 business days following the outcome of step one. The Dean will review the student's written appeal, which may include consulting with the student and other relevant College personnel, and will respond with 15 working days, excluding OCC closures. The written appeal must include a detailed description of the complaint/concern, supporting documentation for the complaint/concern and/or appeal, if available, the outcome summary from the consultation with the ACCESS Coordinator, and the specific resolution sought by the student.

Resolution of the presented issue may be reached at this level. However, if a resolution is not reached, the complainant has exhausted internal College grievance procedures.

Employees:

Steps to Address and Resolve a Complaint/Concern: Employees are directed to follow the College’s ADA Reasonable Accommodation Administrative Policy.

Visitors & Guests:

Steps to Resolve a Complaint/Concern:
Visitors and guests may report concerns/complaints. 

Note: Students, employees, visitors and guests are permitted to file a complaint/concern directly with the OCC Web Accessibility Coordinator, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, the Michigan Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. These agencies will accept complaints and investigate the issue according to their policies and procedures. However, the steps outlined above are recommended for immediate resolution of the concern.

Dean of Academic Support Services
Oakland Community College
Orchard Ridge Campus, M115
Farmington Hills, MI 48334-4556
Phone: (248) 522-3466

OCC Web Accessibility | General Complaint/Suggestion Form 

ACCESS Contact Information 
Auburn Hills - Room B-112B
Ammie Helling, MA LPC
Phone (248) 232-4080

Highland Lakes - Room WH-226
Shawn M. DiCicco, MA, LPC
Phone (248) 942-3080

Orchard Ridge - Room K-111
Michelle McLane, MA
Phone (248) 522-3480

Royal Oak - Room B-106
Steven P. Messina, MA, LPC
Phone (248) 246-2480

Southfield - Room A-211
Steven P. Messina, MA, LPC
Phone (248) 246-2480

Human Resources Department
Oakland Community College
2900 Featherstone Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Phone: (248) 341-2000
Fax: (248) 341-2025

Michigan Department of Civil Rights
Detroit Executive Office
Cadillac Place
3054 West Grand Boulevard, Suite 3-600
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 456-3700, 800.482.3604
Fax: (313) 456-3791
TTY: 877.878.8464

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Detroit Area Office
777 Michigan Ave, #865
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 226-4608
Fax: (313) 226-4610
TTY: 800.669.6820

US. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
Michigan-Ohio Regional Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 325
Cleveland, OH 44115-1812
Phone: (216) 522-4970
Fax: (216) 522-2573
TDD: 800.877.8339

Change Log

• 01-01-2017  Effective date
• 10-13-2022  Contact information updated
• 05-17-2023  Updated with related laws & policies