Disability-Related Accommodation

Procedures for requesting disability-related accommodations (inside and outside the classroom) for students can be found in the Baker Center for Learning: Disability Services section.

Procedures for requesting disability-related accommodations (inside and outside the classroom) for employees and visitors can be found in the Office of Human Resources, Room 219, 607.844.8222, Ext. 4440.

Tompkins Cortland supports all students and employees in their right to file a grievance when they believe they have been denied equal access in the form of appropriate accommodations, modifications, auxiliary aids, or effective communication as described in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended and/or the New York State Human Rights Law.

Resolving Student Conflicts with Faculty and/or Staff, Academic Departments or Non-academic Departments, Programs or Organizations:

Students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the Coordinator of Access &Equity Services (AES) or another member of the Baker Center staff. AES staff members are available to assist students in trying to resolve issues with other Tompkins Cortland staff members. During any resolution or appeal process, the accommodations determined by the Coordinator will be available to the student, without prejudice.

Resolving Employee Conflicts with Supervisors or other Tompkins Cortland staff or Departments, Programs or Organizations:

Employees are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action Officer to assist with trying to resolve issues with other Tompkins Cortland staff members. During any resolution or appeal process, the accommodations determined by the Administrator will be available to the employee, without prejudice.

If a student or staff member (including Coordinator AES, HR Administrator, faculty member or supervisor) feels that a satisfactory resolution is not reached, he or she should deliver a written appeal by email or hard copy to the ADA/504 Compliance Officer. The appeal should be filed within a reasonable time, generally two (2) weeks from the time of notification of approved accommodations, and specifically set forth the grounds for the appeal and the reasons the decision of the Coordinator of Access and Equity Services or Director of Human Resources should not be carried out.

Requirements for the appeal can be found in General Information Related To All Grievance And Conduct Violation Procedures.

In addition to the general grounds for appeal set forth above, appeals concerning disability-related accommodations may be based on the following additional grounds:

 

  • Denial of full and equitable access to the programs, activities and services of the college, Faculty and Student Association, or Tompkins Cortland Foundation.
     
  • Provision of the approved accommodation will constitute a fundamental alteration of a course, program or job description.

The ADA/504 Compliance Officer shall conduct an independent investigation including interviewing all parties and any witnesses deemed relevant and material to the issues raised and shall make a final determination in the matter and notify all interested parties of the final decision, in writing, within two (2) weeks.

If the complaint is not then resolved, the student or employee may choose to file a complaint with the Federal Office for Civil Rights or the NYS Division of Human Rights.