Grievance Policy

ARISE is committed to provide quality services to all persons who work with us. If at any time you are dissatisfied with ARISE services or an ARISE staff member, please follow these steps: 

  1. Talk to the staff person directly about your concerns. 
  1. If the situation is not resolved to your satisfaction, contact the staff person’s supervisor or the department manager. You should do so within one week of experiencing dissatisfaction. 
  1. If the situation is still not resolved to your satisfaction, you must provide a written description of your complaint to the Director of Quality Improvement. If you are not able to provide your complaint in a written format, you still must contact the Director of Quality Improvement, who can provide you with further assistance in the process. 
  1. The Director of Quality Improvement will review the information provided and schedule a meeting that includes all individuals involved to resolve the issue. A written response will be provided to you within two weeks of the meeting. 
  1. If the problem is still not resolved to your satisfaction, you may speak with the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer will provide a written response to you within two weeks of speaking with you. 
  1. If, after receiving a written response from the Chief Executive Officer, the issue still has not been resolved, you may speak with the President or Vice President of the ARISE Board of Directors. A written response will be provided to you within two weeks of speaking with the President or Vice President. 
  1. At any time, you may ask the front desk receptionist for the name and contact information of any ARISE employee, including your ARISE staff person’s supervisor. 

If you are uncomfortable taking any of the steps above, you may contact the Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities or the Client Assistance Program, which can help resolve your complaint. 

  • New York State Education Department 
    Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) 
    Quality Assurance and Monitoring Unit 
    89 Washington Avenue, Room 560 EBA 
    Albany, NY 12234 
    Phone: (800) 222-5627 
    Email: accesadm@mail.nysed.gov 
    Website: www.acces.nysed.gov 

You have the right to contact the Client Assistance Program, which is designed to assist those who are applying to or who are receiving services from federally funded Independent Living Centers (ILC’s). The Client Assistance Program is exclusively operated by Disability Rights New York (DRNY). If you have questions, concerns, or are experiencing disputes regarding ARISE, please feel free to contact DRNY for assistance: 

  • Client Assistance Program (CAP) 

Disability Rights New York 

725 Broadway, Suite 450 

Albany, NY 12207 

(518) 432-7861 (Main Phone) 

(518) 512-3448 (TTY) 

800-993-8982 (Toll Free)