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Section 504 Policy Against Discrimination Based on Handicap and Grievance Procedures

In accordance with 24 CFR Section 8, Nondiscrimination based on Handicap in federally assisted programs and activities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794); and Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5309), Cameron County hereby adopts the following policy and grievance procedures:

  1. Discrimination prohibited: No otherwise qualified individual with handicaps in the United States shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
  2. Cameron County does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.
  3. Cameron County’s recruitment materials or publications shall include a statement of this policy in item 1 above.
  4. Cameron County shall take continuing steps to notify participants, beneficiaries, applicants, and employees — including those with impaired vision or hearing — and unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements, that it does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in violation of 24 CFR Part 8.
  5. For hearing- and visually-impaired individuals eligible to be served or likely to be affected by the TxCDBG program, Cameron County shall ensure that they are provided with the information necessary to understand and participate in the program.
  6. Grievances and Complaints
    1. Any person who believes they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a grievance under this procedure. It is against the law for Cameron County to retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance.
    2. Complaints should be addressed to:
      Anthony Lopez, Civil Rights Officer
      1100 E. Monroe St., Brownsville, TX 78520
      Phone: (956) 544-0828
      He has been designated to coordinate Section 504 compliance efforts.
    3. A complaint should be filed in writing or verbally, contain the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the alleged violation of the regulations.
    4. A complaint should be filed within thirty (30) working days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
    5. An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow a filing of a complaint. The investigation will be conducted by Mr. Anthony Lopez, Civil Rights Officer. Informal but thorough investigations will afford all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.
    6. A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of any resolution shall be issued by Mr. Anthony Lopez, Civil Rights Officer, and a copy forwarded to the complainant within fifteen (15) working days after the complaint filing, where practicable.
    7. The Section 504 coordinator shall maintain the files and records of Cameron County relating to the complaints filed.
    8. The complainant can request a reconsideration of the case if dissatisfied with the determination/resolution. The request must be submitted to Cameron County within ten (10) working days after receipt of the determination/resolution.
    9. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies, such as filing a Section 504 complaint with HUD. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to pursuing other remedies.
    10. These procedures are intended to protect the substantive rights of interested persons, ensure due process, and ensure Cameron County complies with Section 504 and HUD regulations.

Signed and approved:

_________________________________       __________________
Eddie Treviño, Jr. – Cameron County Judge
Date

Attested by:

_________________________________       __________________
Sylvia Garza-Perez – County Clerk, Cameron County
Date