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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-DAC-1993 Self-Evaluation Forms ADA City of Ithaca Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Name of person completing form: Title: Telephone: Department: I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS A. List all programs, services, benefits and activities that involve interaction between your department and the public. Types of interaction may include permit applications, public hearings, provision of written reports, response to telephone inquiries, walk-in questions, etc. In addition list all boards, commissions, committees or agencies that your department is responsible for staffing. Please be inclusive. B. Are you familiar with the City's policy of nondiscrimination to ensure that people with disabilities are not excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of your departments services, programs and activities? Yes No 1. Is department staff informed periodically of, and does staff understand fully, the policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability? (For example, through discussion at staff meetings, posted notice, training?) Yes No a. If Yes, how is staff informed? City of Ithaca Page 2 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility 2. Is the public informed by department staff of the policy of non- discrimination on the basis of disability? (For example, by posted notice, telephone or advertising.) Yes No If Yes, how is the public informed? 3. Does the department provide staff training to ensure that all staff involved in any aspect of programs that serve the public fully understand the departments obligations under the ADA? (The purpose of such training should be to foster understanding of responsibilities, acceptance, and support of nondiscrimination policies.) Yes No a. If Yes, name specific training resource (examples include video tapes, training programs by Program on Employment and Disability(Cornell University),Finger Lakes Independent Center, or Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities.): C. Does your department have a policy to hold public meetings only in accessible facilities? Yes No D. Does your department use any of the following alternative formats and auxiliary for effective communication with persons with disabilities: braille _interpreters _audio tapes readers _large print _dedicated staff assistant assistive listening _closed caption television devices (ALDs such _telephone devices for the as an "FM loop") deaf (TDD) City of Ithaca Page 3 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility 1. If Yes, are staff trained to operate auxiliary aids? 2. If Yes, are auxiliary aids available &* during all working hours? E. List any written guidelines or procedures prepared by the Department concerning the availability and use of auxiliary aids and alternative formats. (Examples may include written instructions, posted notices, etc.) F. Does the department have policies to ensure that all future construction and renovation work will be carried out in accordance with ADA Accessibility guidelines? Yes No G. A decision that ADA compliance would result in fundamental alteration in the nature of a particular program or be an undue administrative or financial burden can only be made by a department director. In making this decision the director shall consider all resources available for use in the funding and operation of the service, program, or activity, and must provide a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. Is there any procedure for preparation of a written statement and/or review by your department director? Yes No City of Ithaca Page 4 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility H. Is the department involved with hiring full or part time employees, seasonal employees, temporary employees, students or interns? Yes No If yes, analyze the following aspects of employment to make certain that no discrimination based on disability exists: recruiting, advertising and processing applications for employment; hiring, upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, right of return form layoff, and rehiring; rates of pay or any other form of compensation and changes in compensation; job assignments, job classifications, organizational structures, position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists; leaves of absence, sick leave or andy other leave; fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or not administered by the recipient; section and financial support for training, including apprenticeship, professional meeting,conferences and other related activities,and selection for leaves of absence to pursue training, including social and recreational programs; and any other term, condition of privilege or employment. J. Is there a complaint process for the public or employees with disabilities and others should they experience difficulty in gaining access to services, programs or activities listed above? Yes No 1. If Yes, how is the public informed of the complaint process? i.e. reference to the City's ADA Coordinator, posters, addendum on public notice or taped material. 2. If Yes,provide the name,position, and phone number of the person to whom the public or employees can submit such complaints. City of Ithaca Page 5 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility 3. Describe what happens to a complaint after it is received. Generally, what steps are undertaken to resolve it, for example, to what committees or personnel is it referred for evaluation. 4. Identify the individual responsible for making final, administrative, financial, and policy decisions. Does the department have a procedure for ensuring that such decisions are made properly and expeditiously? K. Has the department established and implemented emergency evacuation procedures? Yes No 1. If Yes, how is this information (including the warning that an evacuation is necessary)communicated to employees,the public and those who are visually and hearing impaired. City of Ithaca Page 6 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility H. PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY A. Recruitment and Advertising 1. Do recruitment and advertising procedures ensure opportunities for the selection and participation of people with disabilities? This applies to program participants,employees and those who serve on citizens advisory boards,commissions and committees. (Recruitment and advertising procedures may include notifying the City Clerk of job opportunities to advertise on the cable access network,statement of encouragement at the bottom of all public notices, posting public notices on local community bulletin boards and computer bulletin boards such as FLIC-net, and circulating notices of program opportunities with the Disability Advisory Council.) Yes No If Yes, how? 2. Are recruitment and/or advertising materials effectively communicated to persons who are blind or deaf, and those with visual and hearing impairments. (Methods of effective communication involve providing auxiliary aids or presenting materials in alternative formats such as pre-recorded telephone job lines or other audio related services.) Yes No City of Ithaca Page 7 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility 3. Do department recruitment and advertising policies and procedures include outreach practices to recruit participation of people with disabilities. (Examples may include community and computer bulletin boards, personal networking requests, human service organizations, senior citizen centers, doctors' offices, Disability Advisory Council, Finger Lakes Independent Center, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, and Commission for the Blind.) Yes No City of Ithaca Page 8 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility B. Eligibility/Admission Requirements 1. List any eligibility/admission requirements for participation in programs, services or activities of your department. (Examples include permit or job application forms, income levels, residency requirements, good health, letters of recommendation, professional expertise, physical requirements or required tests.) a. Are all listed eligibility/admission requirements non- discriminatory towards people with disabilities? (Examples of discriminatory requirements include, small print forms, written forms, medical exams.) Yes No 2. Does the department have the capacity to effectively communicate eligibility and admission requirements to people who are blind or deaf, and those with hearing or visual impairments through provision of auxiliary aids or alternative formats. Yes No City of Ithaca Page 9 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility C. Participation 1. The ADA requires that each service, program or activity, when viewed in its entirety be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. This may require use of alternate sites, provision of auxiliary aids and services, modifications of policies, special assistance for those with limited reading or comprehension skills, etc. Are all of your department's programs, services and activities accessible to qualified persons with disabilities? Yes No 2. Does the department have a mechanism for periodic updating and re-evaluation of accessibility of programs, services and activities to accommodate the needs of new or existing program participants or employees? Yes No 3. In selecting between alternative plans for accessibility, does your department have a policy that gives priority to methods that allow persons with disabilities to participate in programs, activities, or services in the most integrated setting appropriate? Yes No a. Do you consult with any agency about alternative plans,such as the Finger Lakes Independent Center, Program on Employment and Disability, or Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities? Yes No City of Ithaca Page 10 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility 4. List any program or activity in which transportation is provided to employees or the general public. a. Is the transportation provides accessible to or useable by persons with disabilities? Yes No 5. A department may not offer different or separate services or programs for persons with disabilities unless it is necessary in order to provide them with services or benefits that are as effective as those provided to others. Separate programs must not tend to restrict the participation of people with disabilities in general program activities. Are all services and programs inclusive? (Responding No means that separate services and programs exist.) Yes No a. If No, what are the reasons for the special programs? b. If No, has staff been informed that an individual with a disability cannot be denied an opportunity to participate in programs, services or activities that are not separate or different, even if permissibly separate programs or services exist? Yes No City of Ithaca Page 11 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility III. COMMUNICATIONS ADA regulations state that public entities shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with applicants, participants, and members of the public with disabilities are as effective as communications with others. This could include people who are blind, deaf, deaf-blind, or who have limited reading, comprehension and communication skills. A. Does your department have a policy to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services(interpreters,readers,assistive listening devices,TDD's,Braille or large print materials, audio tape, help in filling out forms, etc.) if necessary so that an individual with a disability has an equal opportunity to participate in or enjoy the benefits of your services, programs, or activities? (It is required that individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to request the auxiliary aids and services of their choice. It is also required that requested auxiliary aids and services be given primary consideration.) Yes No B. Does your department's reception/point of contact staff receive training in how to recognize and be sensitive to the needs of people with different types of communication disabilities in order to assist them? Yes No C. Does your department make available to applicants, participants, beneficiaries and other interested persons information and notice regarding the provisions of the ADA and its applicability to your services,programs, or activities in order to apprise them of their rights and of protection against discrimination? Yes No City of Ithaca Page 12 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility D. What methods has your department used to ensure that people, including those with impaired vision and hearing or limited reading and comprehension skills,can obtain information concerning the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and facilities? TV Radio Newspapers_ Auxiliary Aids Community agency newsletters Alternative formats_ Outreach techniques No methods tried yet Other E. Does your department notify the public and other interested persons that its public meetings, hearings, and conferences are held in accessible locations and that auxiliary aids will be provided, upon request, to participants with disabilities? Yes No F. Do your handout materials and brochures list: (1)procedures for providing access to persons with disabilities; and (2) the ADA Coordinator's name and phone number? Yes No G. ADA regulations state that where a department communicates by telephone with applicants and beneficiaries, TDD's or equally effective telecommunications systems shall be used to communicate with individuals with impaired hearing or speech. Does your department have a TDD? Yes No 1. If Yes, list number(s) and location(s) City of Ithaca Page 13 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility 2. If Yes, What steps have been taken to publicize the TDD number? 3. If No, does your department have standard contact with the public or with City employees: Yes—No- 4. Does your department have training on a regular basis to familiarized any appropriate or new staff members with the operation of the TTD, the TDD Relay Service, and other effective means of communicating over the telephone with persons who have hearing or speech impairments? Yes No H. Are printed posters and announcements clearly legible? Yes No 1. Are they placed in physically accessible locations where smaller print can be read from a wheelchair? Yes No 2. Are high contrasting colors used in printed materials so individuals with visual impairments, including color blindness, can read it? Yes No 3. Do graphics permit easy reading of content? Yes No I. Are written descriptions and visual representations of people with disabilities free from patronizing stereotypes? Yes No City of Ithaca Page 14 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility City of Ithaca Page 15 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility J. Does your department produce any television or videotape programming? Yes No 1. If Yes, is it captioned (can be opened or closed)? Yes No City of Ithaca Page 16 of 16 Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation Programmatic Accessibility IV. Use of Contractors ADA regulations state that a public entity, in providing any aid,benefit or service,may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate or benefit. It also states that a public entity cannot aid or perpetuate discrimination by providing significant assistance to an agency, organization,or person that discriminates. In addition,because the City is a recipient of federal funds, discrimination against people with disabilities is prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A. Are steps taken to ensure that department staff responsible for contracting understand these requirements? Yes No B. Is language included in department contracts to ensure that contractors are aware of their obligations to provide for accessibility for people with disabilities in programs and activities they operate with funds received through the City of Ithaca? Yes No C. Does your department have procedures for ongoing monitoring of contracts to ensure that services are accessible to people with disabilities? Yes No