The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding compliance by the Kansas State Department of Education with its non-discrimination polices may be directed to the General Counsel, Kansas State Department of Education, 120 S.E. 10th, Topeka, Kansas, 66612, (785) 296-3201 or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S Department of Education, 8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037, Kansas City, Missouri, 64114, (816) 268-0550.

Inquiries or grievances related to compliance by public schools with the non-discrimination polices should be directed to the local board of education or Office for Civil Rights.

The Kansas State Department of Education has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging noncompliance by the Department with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in any program or activity administered by the Department. The Kansas State Department of Education General Counsel has been designated the Section 504 Coordinator and may be contacted at: Office General Counsel, Kansas State Department of Education, 120 S.E. 10th, Topeka, Kansas, 66612, (785) 296-3201.

Any person who believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability in a program or activity administered by the Kansas State Department of Education may file a grievance under this procedure. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability pursuant to the grievance procedure, or persons who participate in related proceedings, is prohibited.

Procedure:

• Grievances must be submitted to the Section 504 Coordinator within 30 calendar days of the date the person filing the grievance becomes aware of the alleged discriminatory action.
• A complaint must be in writing, containing the name and address of the person filing it. The complaint must state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory and the remedy or relief sought. A form complaint is available.
• The Section 504 Coordinator (or his/her designee) shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. This investigation may be informal, but it must be thorough, affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. The Section 504 Coordinator will maintain the files and records of the Kansas State Department of Education relating to such grievances. The Section 504 Coordinator shall maintain the confidentiality of the person who files a complaint.
• The Section 504 Coordinator will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than 30 days after its filing.
• The person filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the Section 504 Coordinator by writing to the Commissioner of Education, Kansas State Department of Education, within 15 days of receiving the Section 504 Coordinator’s decision. The Commissioner of Education shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 30 days after its filing.
• The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037, Kansas City, Missouri, 64114, (816) 268-0550.