Grievance Procedure

 

As a client or prospective client of Disability Law Center of Alaska, you have the right to file a written grievance if you are not satisfied with the quality of services provided to you, if you believe that you were improperly denied service, and/or if you believe that Disability Law Center of Alaska has violated its legal obligations.

Among other obligations, we must ensure that we; are independent of service providers for people with disabilities (such as hospitals and group homes); have the capacity to protect and advocate the rights of people with disabilities; have access to facilities, residents and records for the purpose of investigating incidents of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities; maintain confidentiality of client records; and provide the public with an opportunity to comment on our statement of objectives and priorities. 

The grievance process is designed to assure that people eligible for services from Disability Law Center of Alaska are provided full access to the agency. This right is guaranteed under the three Federal laws governing the activities of P&As, including our organization: the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mentally Illness Act and the Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights Program (in the Rehabilitation Act). 

A grievance may be filed by a person with a disability or his/her representative or family member under any of the following circumstances: 

  • When there is disagreement about the decision of Disability Law Center of Alaska not to provide individual advocacy services;
  • When there is dissatisfaction regarding the quality or extent of the services actually provided;
  • When there is a belief that Disability Law Center of Alaska has failed to fulfill one or more of its legal obligations; or
  • When it is believed that Disability Law Center has discriminated in the provision of its services on the basis of disability, race, or another prohibited basis.
     

Your complaint must be returned to us within 30 working days following the decision of this agency with which you disagree.


If you would like to file a complaint with the Disability Law Center you may do one of the following:

                      Disability Law Center of Alaska
                      Attn:  Executive Director
                      3330 Arctic Blvd., Suite 103
                      Anchorage, AK  99503

  • Explain your complaint in person, or over the phone. 

                      If you would like to meet in person, please call first to
                      make sure DLC's Executive Director will be on site and
                      available to speak with you. 
                      Anchorage (907) 565-1002, and Statewide 1-800-478-1234.


We will be glad to provide any help you need in making your complaint.

The Executive Director will issue a written determination within 15 working days of the filing of your grievance. 
If you are dissatisfied with the written determination of the Executive Director, you may appeal the determination to the Grievance Committee of the DLC Board of Directors.  This appeal must be returned to DLC within 30 days following the decision of the Executive Director with which you disagree.  The appeal decision will be issued within 30 working days.  The decision of the grievance committee is the final determination of the agency.