Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is federal legislation passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. The law made it illegal to discriminate against a disabled person in terms of employment opportunities, access to transportation, public accommodations, communications and government activities. The law prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against the disabled. Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations in order for a disabled person to perform their job function.

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Our Mission

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Compliance Officers at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) are committed to creating access to civic life for persons with disabilities. Our goal is to improve the accessibility of the local governments including existing facilities, sidewalks, parking lots, bus stops, intersections, programs and activities for individuals with disabilities. We also strive to encourage accessibility beyond compliance. Promoting accessibility beyond compliance is imperative in creating an environment where access to programs and facilities is equal for all users.

 

Our Role

We serve as the central point of intake for matters relating to ADA while facilitating the flow of information regarding ADA compliance. The ADA Compliance Office is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended: Section 504 and Section 508; and other federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities. The ADA Compliance Office is fully committed to improving ADA accessibility within our Local Governments. As stated in the previous legislation, the ADA Compliance Office requires communities to pursue an ADA accessible environment that will serve individuals with disabilities and all users equally.

 

In congruence with the ADA Compliance Office, we implement ADA policies and provide consultation for existing facilities and future planning. We maintain current information regarding state and federal laws and regulations, as well as adhere to best practices with regard to the rights of persons with disabilities. We provide ADA advice on compliance to local governments. Additionally, we are responsible for reviewing grievances and appeals. Respectively, our mission includes ensuring programs, policies and procedures relating to Local Governments are within ADA compliance.

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State and Local Governments (Title II)

Title II applies to State and local government entities, and, in subtitle A, protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in services, programs, and activities provided by State and local government entities. Title II extends the prohibition on discrimination established by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794, to all activities of State and local governments regardless of whether these entities receive Federal financial assistance.

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Title II Regulations

Revised Final Title II Rule: A Compilation of Regulatory Provisions and Guidance -- Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services | PDF

 

The Department of Justice's regulation implementing title II, subtitle A, of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all services, programs, and activities provided to the public by State and local governments, except public transportation services. The links below contains the following: (1) supplementary information (the preamble to the revised regulation); (2) the title II regulation updated to reflect the 2010 revisions and the technical corrections (published March 11, 2011) which became effective on March 15, 2011; (3) guidance on the revised regulatory provisions; and (4) guidance on the original 1991 title II regulation.

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28 CFR Part 35 -- Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services 

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• Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

• 2010 ADA Standards