{"id":224,"date":"2010-07-07T23:15:43","date_gmt":"2010-07-08T03:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asapgeneralcontracting.com\/?page_id=224"},"modified":"2010-07-07T23:15:43","modified_gmt":"2010-07-08T03:15:43","slug":"americans-with-disabilities-act-ada-guide-for-small-towns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/asapgeneralcontracting.com\/?page_id=224","title":{"rendered":"Americans with Disabilities Act ADA Guide for Small Towns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Americans with Disabilities Act<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

ADA Guide for<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Small Towns<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Jacksonville\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Duval County\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 904-346-1266
\nSt Augustine\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 St Johns County\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 904-824-7144
\nOrange Park\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Clay County\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 904-264-6444
\nJacksonville Beaches\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Duval County\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0904-246-3969
\nFernandina\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nassau County\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 904-277-3040
\nMacclenny\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Baker County\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 904-259-5091
\nPalm Coast\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Flagler County\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 386-439-5290
\nDaytona\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Volusia County\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 386-253-4911<\/p>\n

GAINESVILLE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ALACHUA COUNTY\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 352-335-8555
\nServing all of Florida \u00a0and Georgia\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 at \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0904-346-1266<\/p>\n

EMAIL <\/strong>LARRY@1STPROP.COM<\/a> (feel free to email your bidding packages here)<\/p>\n

Americans with Disabilities Act<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

ADA Guide for Small Towns<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Town<\/strong>D<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

A guide for small local governments
\nincluding towns, townships, and rural counties.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n


\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Reproduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reproduction of this document is encouraged.<\/p>\n

Additional copies of this publication may be obtained by calling the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) 800-514-0383 (tty) or by visiting the Department’s ADA Home Page on the World Wide Web (www.usdoj.gov\/crt\/ada\/adahom1.htm).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Disclaimer<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ADA authorizes the Department of Justice to provide technical assistance to individuals and entities that have rights or responsibilities under the Act. This document provides informal guidance to assist you in understanding the ADA and the Department’s regulation. However, this technical assistance does not constitute a legal interpretation of the statute.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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first printing, March 2000<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Table of Contents<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Part One — The ADA’s Requirements for Small Towns<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

1. Existing Facilities: Program Accessibility<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Example — Annual town meeting<\/a>
\nExample — Historic Town Library<\/a>
\nExample — Historic House Museum<\/a>
\nExample — Town Police Station<\/a>
\nExample — Providing accessible temporary facilities <\/a>
\nExample — Specialized programs<\/a>
\nExample — Sign directs to accessible rest rooms<\/a>
\nExample — Alterations comply with ADA Standards<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. New Construction, Alterations, and Additions<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Maintenance of Accessible Features<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Example — Maintaining a lift or accessible feature<\/a>
\nExample — Removing snow and ice to permit program accessibility<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4. Effective Communication<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Example — Auxiliary Aids and Sign Language Interpreters at Annual Town Meeting<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

5. Policies, Practices, and Procedures<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Example — Photo identification policies<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

6. Processes for Complying with the ADA<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Provide Public Notice about ADA Requirements<\/a>
\nOther Obligations for larger towns with 50 or more employees<\/a><\/p>\n

Designate an individual to coordinate ADA compliance<\/a>
\nDevelop a transition plan<\/a>
\nDevelop a grievance procedure<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Part Two —
\nTypical Issues: Program Accessibility and Effective Communication<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/strong><\/a>A Accessible Parking<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nB Accessible Route<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nC Accessible Entrance<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nD Curb Ramps at Intersections<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nE Alternate Services<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nF Library Services<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nG Parks and Recreation Programs<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nH Accessible Print Material<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nI Police Services<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nJ Calling 9-1-1 and Other Emergency Services<\/a><\/span><\/strong>
\nK Temporary Events<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Part Three — Resources<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe Americans with Disabilities Act gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, transportation, State and local government services, telecommunications, and in the goods and services provided by businesses.<\/p>\n

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Small towns offer a variety of essential programs and services that are fundamental to the public and to everyday American life. Although the range of services offered by small towns varies, it is essential that people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in the programs and services that towns offer. Applying for a building permit or business license, playing ball in the local park, marching in the Memorial Day parade, attending an annual street festival or a town meeting, or calling 9-1-1 for emergency police, fire, or rescue all are typical town programs, activities or services covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.<\/p>\n

The ADA gives people with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in the mainstream of public life offered to all Americans. This guide presents an informal overview of some basic ADA requirements and provides cost- effective tips on how small towns can comply with the ADA.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Part One: The ADA’s Requirements for Small Towns<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Title II of the ADA applies to State and local governments, including towns and townships, school districts, water districts, special purpose districts, and other small local governments and instrumentalities. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all services, programs, and activities provided by towns1.<\/a> Thus, people with disabilities must have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from a town’s services, programs, and activities. To accomplish this, the ADA sets requirements for town facilities, new construction and alterations, communications with the public, and policies and procedures governing town programs, services, and activities.<\/p>\n

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\n<\/a>Footnote<\/span><\/p>\n

1 The term “towns” is used in this publication to refer to all small local governments, towns, and townships. Please remember that title II applies to all State and local government entities, regardless of size, including State governments, local governments, special government entities such as transportation authorities, school districts, water districts, and other special purpose districts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"CityD<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

A ramp located next to the stairs to this town hall provides an accessible entrance.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Existing Facilities: Program Accessibility<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

When programs, services, or activities are located in facilities that existed prior to January 26, 1992, the effective date of title II of the ADA, towns must make sure that they are also available to persons with disabilities, unless to do so would fundamentally alter a program, service, or activity or result in undue financial or administrative burdens (see page 8). This requirement is called program accessibility. When a service, program, or activity is located in a building that is not accessible, a small town can achieve program accessibility in several ways. It can:<\/p>\n

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