Accommodation and/or Complaint Procedure

Step 1.

Request for Reasonable Accommodation

To request an accommodation, alternative format of communication, and/or modification of the policies and procedures in order to access and benefit from Authority programs, services and activities, please submit a reasonable request for accommodation for (alternative formats available upon request) and/or contact the ADA Coordinator as soon as possible but no later than five business days before the scheduled event (if relevant). Click here to access the Reasonable Accommodation Form.

 

OR

 

Initial Complaint

Complaints that an Authority program, service, activity, facility or any action is prohibited by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA], should be submitted in writing via the Complaint Form (alternative formats available upon request) or submitted to the ADA Coordinator within 30 business days of the alleged violation (the process for appeals regarding the response to an accommodation is found under Step 3). Click here to access the Initial Complaint Form.

 

Step 2.

The accommodation or complaint will be responded to or acknowledged within 5 to 10 working days of receipt. A decision on initial complaints may take up to 30 business days.

 

Appeal Procedure

Step 3.

Any individual not satisfied with the response/decision given to a request for reasonable accommodation or an initial complaint may appeal for a reconsideration review by the Executive Assistant within 10 busness days of receiving the response/decision.

 

A written appeal should be filed on the ADA Appeal Form. The online version is found through this link, Appeal Form, (alternative formats available upon request). An appeal can be filed verbally by contacting Ms. Garrison. The verbal appeal will be reduced to writing utilizing the ADA Appeal Form and will be signed by the appellant (person who filed the appeal). If that is noty possible, an appeal in another form must nonetheless contan the following information:

 

1) The name, address, email address, and telephone number of the person filing the appeal;

2) The name, address, email address, and telephone number of the person alleging the ADA violation, if other than the person filing the appeal; and

3) A description of the alleged violation and the remedy sought.

 

Step 4.

The Executive Assistant will conduct the investigation necessary to determine the validity of the alleged violatin and reconsider the decision/response. If appropriate, the ADA Coordinator will arrange to meet with the appellant to discuss the matter and attempt to reach an informal resolution of the appeal. The Executive Assistant will make a final determinatin within 45 business days from the date of the filing of the request for reconsideration. Any informal resolution of the appeal will be documented in the Authority's ADA Complaint File.

 

Step 5.

If the appellant is dissatisfied or does not wish to file an appeal through the Authority's ADA Appeal Procedure, the appellant may file a complaint directly with the United States Department of Justice or other appropriate state or federal agency. Use of the Authority's appeal procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.

 

The resolution of any specific complaint will require consideration and balancing of varying circumstances, such as the specific nature of the disability; the nature of the access to services, programs, or facilities at issue and the essential eligibility requirements for participation; the health and safety of others; and the degree to which an accommodation would constitute a fundamental alteration to the program, service, or facility, or cause an undue hrdship to the Authority. Accordingly, the resoltuion by the Authority of any one complaint does not constitute a precedent upon which the Authority is bound or upon which other complaining parties may rely.

 

Additional Resources for the Public:

• ADA Home Page - Americans with Disabilities Home Page - US Department of Justice
• ADA Questions and Answers - Americans with Disabilities Act Questions & Answers - Includes section on Title II (local government requirements) from US Department of Justice , Civil Rights Division
• Local Disability Related Organizations - Take advantage of the organizations that are here to help you!
• Deafnet Associates, Inc.
• The Mental Health Center of Western Maryland, Inc.
• Washington County Commission on Aging
• American Association of People with Disabilities

 

Click here for the ADA Title II Request Complaint and Appeal Process Flowchart.