NUMBER:		STAF 6.00
SECTION:	Division of Student Affairs

SUBJECT:	Disability Discrimination

LATEST REVISION:	February 5, 1999

DATE:		June 1, 1993

Policy for:	Columbia Campus
Procedure for :	Columbia Campus
Authorized by:	Dennis A. Pruitt
Issued by:	Educational Support Services
______________________________________________________											

I.	POLICY

The University of South Carolina's policy is to provide students a prompt 
and equitable method of resolving complaints alleging any action prohibited 
by the U.S. Department of Education regulations implementing Section 504 
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794) and the 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states, in part, that "an 
individual with a disability" is a person who has a physical or mental 
impairment that substantially limits a "major life activity," has a 
record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.  
The ADA requires that public entities "must ensure that individuals with 
disabilities are not excluded from services, programs, and activities 
because buildings are inaccessible".


II.	PROCEDURES

A.	Student complaints of discrimination based on a disability mustd 
be forwarded in writing to the Director of Educational Support Services, 
106 LeConte, Columbia, SC  29208.  For additiona.l information, call 
777-6142.

B.	A complaint must be filed in writing within 15 working days 
after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.  If the 
complainant needs assistance composing the complaint, appropriate 
assistance may be arranged through the Office of Educational Support 
Services.

C.	An appropriate investigation shall follow the filing of a complaint.  
The investigation shall be conducted by the Director of Educational Support 
Services.  The investigation may be conducted informally but will be 
thorough, affording all interested persons and their representatives, 
if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.

D.	A written determination of the validity of the complaint and a 
description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Director 
of Educational Support Services and forwarded to the complainant as soon 
as the investigation is concluded, normally no later than 30 working days 
after the filing of the complaint.

E. 	The Section 504 and ADA coordinator for students on the Columbia 
campus shall maintain the files and records of Section 504 and ADA 
complaints filed by students at USC Columbia.  In addition, such files 
and records necessary for system-wide Section 504 and ADA monitoring and 
reporting purposes shall be maintained by the Office of Equal Opportunity 
Programs.

F.	The complainant may request a reconsideration of the investigation 
if dissatisfied with the resolution.  The request for reconsideration must 
be made in writing to the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, 900 Assembly 
Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC  29208, within 10 working 
days of the complainant's receipt of the notification of the resolution.  
For additional information, call 777-3854.

G.	The right 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 a Section 504 and ADA complaint with the 
appropriate state or federal department or agency.

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