Do You Have a Grievance About Equip for Equality?
It is the policy of Equip for Equality to provide all Equip for Equality clients or individuals seeking direct services or their representatives with the opportunity to file a grievance using the grievance procedure. In addition, any individual with a disability, family member or other interested person or organization may use the procedure to raise concerns regarding the corporation's compliance with federal protection and advocacy laws for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities or physical and other disabilities.
It is the policy of Equip for Equality to provide organizational services to all personals without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from military service, or citizenship status. The same requirements are applied to all persons: Equip for Equality does not discriminate in its programs and activities, or in the manner in which they are provided.
To receive self-advocacy or legal services from Equip for Equality, an individual must meet program eligibility requirements and the problem for which assistance is sought must fall within the service delivery priorities established by the Board of Directors. In addition to meeting eligibility and service priorities, Equip for Equality needs to have sufficient staff and resources to accept the case. If Equip for Equality does not accept an individual's case, for whatever reason, the individual will be provided with information and referrals to address the concern.
Equip for Equality's priorities are reviewed annually and any individual can request a copy from the Director of Legal Advocacy and submit comments or suggestions.
To File a Grievance
A written or recorded oral complaint should be made to the Director of Legal Advocacy within fifteen (15) working days of the issue giving rise to your grievance of service delivery. An oral complaint must be recorded on cassette tape.
Your complaint should include the following:
- your name;
- your address;
- your telephone number (or TTY number); and
- an explanation of your grievance
The Director of Legal Advocacy will review the complaint. The Director of Legal Advocacy will provide you with a written decision within fifteen (15) working days of receipt of your complaint. At the discretion of the Director of Legal Advocacy, an expedited process may be used in which the grievance goes directly to the Board for a decision.
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Director of Legal Advocacy you have fifteen (15) working days from receipt of this decision to make a written or recorded oral request for review by a Board Member designated by the Chairman of the Board for this review process. The Board Member will review the matter and notify you within fifteen (15) working days of the decision. This is the organization's final decision.
All grievances should be sent to the following:
Equip for Equality
Attn: Director of Legal Advocacy
20 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
