Access to Education Policy

In 1973, Congress enacted Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which guarantees the rights of all students to equal educational access and prohibits discrimination on the basis of physical or psychological disabilities. It also provides that no individuals with disability shall be denied benefits of, excluded from participation in, or subjected to discrimination in extracurricular activities because of the absence of auxiliary aids. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act guaranteed equal access to employment, public services and transportation, in addition to educational access.

The University of Cincinnati and its branch campuses prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. Student grievances or complaints should be resolved according to the procedures set forth in the Student Handbook, except where the student is alleging discriminatory treatment based on disability. Complaints of this nature at UC Clermont College should be brought to the attention of the director of Accessibility Resources, and they will be handled according to the University of Cincinnati Discrimination Procedure administered by the Office of Equal Opportunity. Students should seek advice from the director of Accessibility Resources, the Office of Equal Opportunity or the University Ombuds. Complaints involving faculty members will be handled according to the agreement between UC and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

Individuals will not lose the right to file a complaint with the Office of Equal Opportunity if the individual has attempted to resolve the complaint through other University channels; the Office of Equal Opportunity will investigate complaints even if the complainant files with an agency outside of the University.