It is the policy of DASH Network not to discriminate against applicants for DASH Network services on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, membership in any labor organization, political ideology, or disability. DASH Network has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action of discrimination.
Any applicant for services who believes she or he has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of the above may file an internal grievance under this procedure. It is against the law for DASH Network to retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance.
Procedure:
- Grievances must be submitted to the Executive Director within 6 months 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.
- The Executive Director (or his/her delegate) 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 Executive Director will maintain the files and records of DASH Network relating to such grievances.
- The Executive Director 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 Executive Director by writing to the Board of Directors within 15 days of receiving the Executive Director’s decision. The Board of Directors shall issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 30 days after its filing.
DASH Network will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, if needed, to participate in this grievance process. Such arrangements may include but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of material for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings. The Section 504 Coordinator will be responsible for such arrangements.
