Sanghavi Law Office presents the first issue of The SLO Newsletter, a round-up of news and notes regarding civil rights and equal access issues. In this inaugural issue, readers will find an article about possible next steps institutions should consider after conducting a civil rights investigation, an update on state-specific legislation regarding sexual misconduct investigations, new trainings offered by Sanghavi … Read More
January 2021 Questions and Answers from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights Regarding Title IX Regulations
On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) issued two technical assistance documents in response to inquiries regarding how institutions can meet their obligations under the new Title IX regulations, which became effective on August 14, 2020. The two documents issued – Part 1: Questions and Answers Regarding the Department’s Final Title IX Regulations and Part 2: … Read More
COVID-19 and Student Rights: Guidance from the Department of Education
Over the past three weeks, the U.S. Department of Education has published several documents pertaining to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. These documents contain information regarding: 1) Educating Students with Disabilities during School Closures, and Distance Learning Accessibility; 2) Discrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, or National Origin, or on the Basis of Actual or Perceived Disability; 3) Disclosure of Information … Read More
Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence,
On September 22, 2017, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights released guidance announcing the withdrawal of the April 4, 2011 Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence, and the April 29, 2014 Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence. The Department announced in its September 22, 2017 Dear Colleague Letter that it intends to engage in … Read More
Addressing Issues of Sexual Harassment:
Addressing Issues of Sexual Harassment: Steps Independent Secondary Schools Can Take to Be Proactive and to Respond to Concerns For several years, public and private colleges and universities have been in the news with regard to their responses to allegations of sexual harassment on their campuses, in part due to the increased scrutiny on this issue by the U.S. Department … Read More
U.S. Department of Education Issued DCL
U.S. Department of Education Issued DCL to Address Discrimination and Harassment Based on Actual or Perceived Race, Religion, or National Origin On December 31, 2015, the U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (the “December 2015 DCL”) petitioning schools and institutions of higher learning to help ensure students are afforded learning environments that are free from discrimination and … Read More
Service Animals and the ADA
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division released a set of FAQs on July 20, 2015 to address common issues and questions related to the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “ADA”) to service animals. These FAQs may clarify your institution’s responsibilities and rights with respect to service animals. We have included a review of noteworthy information … Read More
Graduation Ceremony Accessible to Individuals with Physical Disabilities?
Graduation is Coming – Is Your School’s Graduation Ceremony Accessible to Individuals with Physical Disabilities? All schools know that their programs must be accessible, but problems often are exposed during graduation season. Sometimes schools do not think through how students in wheelchairs will be able to receive their diplomas. Is the path that students and guests take from the parking … Read More