ADA/504 Coordinator

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides the compliance oversight of disability based discrimination under 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. OCR requires that each institution appoint a 504 Coordinator. If you are the Title IX Coordinator, this may be you. The 504 Coordinator does not generally serve as your institutional Disability Services Coordinator; rather, the 504 Coordinator provides oversight of compliance with Section 504/ADA and oversees a grievance processes. These grievance processes are designed to address circumstances of challenge by an individual – faculty, staff or student – dissatisfied with your institution’s disability-based process or response. OCR engages in investigations following a 504-based complaint similar to Title IX investigations. One common requirement that follows the investigation is that the 504 Coordinator provide documentation of training related to Section 504 and ADA, as well as provide a developed policy and grievance process to respond to internal complaints or challenges.