HomeMy WebLinkAbout68 20 BOARD OF JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTING A )
JEFFERSON COUNTY AMERICANS ) RESOLUTION 68 20
WITH DISABILITIES (ADA) )
ACCOMMODATION POLICY
WHEREAS,the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners has determined the need to adopt
an ADA Accommodation Policy to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal and meaningful
access to County services and public facilities; and
WHEREAS,the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners has determined that Jefferson
County's ADA Accommodation Policy shall be effective when executed by the Board of
Commissioners, below; now,therefore,
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners that
Jefferson County's ADA Accommodation Policy be adopted effective on the date below.
APPROVEDmAd ADOPTED this 2 day of dv y 2020.
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J F ' '• COUNTY BOARD OF
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' �Y' Greg Broth- •
ATTEST: David S livan,Member
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Carol allc way I Kat Dean, Member
Deputy Clerk of the Board
Approved as to fnrm only.
Approved on Laserfishe
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Philip C. Hunsucker Date
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
JEFFERSON COUNTY
ADA ACCOMMODATION POLICY
Access to governmental services for all persons is a fundamental right. It is the policy of
Jefferson County to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal and meaningful access to
County services and public facilities.
Application:
This policy shall apply to all employees of Jefferson County and members of the public who
seek accommodations due to a disability or disabilities as defined under the Americans with
Disabilities Act and its amendments. All County offices and departments subject to the
rulemaking authority of the Board of County Commissioners will be required to follow the
procedural requirements set forth in this policy, when receiving or addressing requests made to
Jefferson County for accommodation of persons with a disability.
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to create a uniform process by which persons with disabilities can
obtain reasonable accommodations in order to access or participate in County services, programs
and facilities. Specifically, this policy outlines how Jefferson County will carry out this purpose
and sets forth a process by which requests for accommodation will be handled.
Responsibilities:
This policy will define who is eligible to apply for an accommodation and will set forth a process
for applicants to present accommodation requests.
Jefferson County must assess whether or not to provide a requested accommodation under the
definitions and rules contained in the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Jefferson County will provide a reasonable accommodation unless the applicant has failed to
meet the substantive requirements of this policy, or the requested accommodation would create an
undue burden; fundamentally alter the nature of the County service, program or activity; or the
accommodation would create a direct threat to the safety or well-being of the applicant or others.
Definitions:
Accommodation means measures to make each County service,program or activity,when viewed
in its entirety, readily accessible to and usable by an individual who is a person with a disability,
and may include, but is not limited to:
A) Making reasonable modifications in policies, practices and procedures.
ADA Accommodations Policy Page I
Effective November 2,2020
B) Furnishing, at no charge, auxiliary aids and services, including but not limited to
equipment, devices, materials in alternative formats, certified or qualified interpreters or
readers.
Applicant means any person with a disability who has a specific interest in, desires access to, or
is participating in any County service or program.
Person with a disabilitymeans aperson covered bythe Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(& 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), the Washington Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60 et seq.),
or other similar local, state or federal laws which govern Jefferson County. This term includes
but is not limited to an individual who has a physical or mental impairment that limits one or
more major life activities, has a documented history of such impairment or is regarded as having
such impairment.
Procedural Requirements:
I. Notification
All requests for accommodation shall be made using the approved "Jefferson County Request
for Accommodation" form, which is included as Attachment A. (This form is available in the
Quick Links section of the County's homepage under Americans with Disabilities Act.)
A) The form may be presented in writing or presented orally and reduced to writing.
B) If a request for reasonable accommodation is made directly by an applicant to an employee
of Jefferson County, the employee shall be responsible for ensuring that the Request for
Reasonable Accommodation form is completed, either by having the applicant, or a person
on their behalf, complete the form, or by the employee taking the information orally,
completing the form and forwarding the request to the Jefferson County ADA
Coordinator.
C) If a non-County agency or body (e.g. other state or local governmental agency, advocacy
group, etc.) makes a request for reasonable accommodation on behalf of a disabled
individual to Jefferson County, then that agency or body is responsible for completing
and forwarding the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form to Jefferson County's
ADA Coordinator.
D) The Request for Reasonable Accommodation form shall include a description of the
accommodation sought, along with a statement of the impairment necessitating the
accommodation.
E) Jefferson Countymayrequire the applicant to provide additional information about the
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qualifying impairment to help assess the appropriate accommodation. Medical and other
health information shall be submitted under a cover sheet designated "Confidential
Medical and Health Information. Such information is confidential and shall only be used
by the person(s) responsible for evaluating and arranging for the accommodation, or as
required by law.
ADA Accommodations Policy Page 2
Effective November 2, 2020
F) An application for accommodation should be made as far in advance as practical of the
event/date for which the accommodation is sought, but not less than 5 business days prior
to the event/service date, except in the case of an emergency.
II. Assessment:
A) In determining whether to grant an accommodation,Jefferson County will:
i) Consider the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12101 et seq.) and its amendments, and the Washington Law Against Discrimination
(RCW 49.60), and other similar local, state and federal laws which govern Jefferson
County.
ii) Give primary consideration to the accommodation requested by the applicant.
iii) Make the decision on an individual and case specific basis with due regard to the
nature of the applicant's disability and feasibility of the requested accommodation.
B) If an application for accommodation is presented to Jefferson County five (5) or more
business days prior to the event/service date for which the accommodation is sought, an
accommodation shall be provided unless:
i) The requested accommodation is not available, and no alternative accommodation
would enable the applicant to participate in the event or service requested.
C) If an application for accommodation is presented to Jefferson County fewer than five (5)
business days prior to the scheduled date of the event or service for which the
accommodation is requested, and if the applicant would otherwise be entitled to an
accommodation, it shall be providedunless:
i) It is impossible for the County to provide a reasonable accommodation on the date
specified due to insufficient advance notice.
D) An application for accommodation may be denied if Jefferson County finds one or more
of the following:
i) The applicant has failed to satisfy the substantive requirements of thispolicy.
ii) The requested accommodation would create an undue financial or administrative
burden.
iii) The requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the County
service, program or activity.
ADA Accommodations Policy Page 3
Effective November 2, 2020
iv) The requested accommodation would create a direct threat to the safety or well-being
of the applicant or others.
III. Accommodation or Denial
A) Jefferson County will render a decision in writing regarding the requested
accommodation. This written decision shall be prepared by the County ADA Coordinator
within 3 business days of receipt of the "Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form".
B) If the request is granted the ADA Coordinator,or his/her designee, shall notify the applicant
that the request has been approved and describe the reasonable accommodation that will be
made. The ADA Coordinator, or his/her designee, shall also notify any other County
employee(s) responsible for implementing the accommodation regarding the nature of the
accommodation to be provided.
C) If Jefferson County denies an accommodation, the written decision shall be provided to
the applicant, including the reasons for denial.
IV. Record Keeping
The ADA Coordinator shall be responsible for maintaining copies of all Requests for Reasonable
Accommodations made to Jefferson County and copies of all written decisions. All employees of
Jefferson County are responsible for forwarding copies of the Request for Reasonable
Accommodation Forms to the ADA Coordinator within one business day of receipt.
ADA Accommodations Policy Page4
Effective November 2, 2020
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS CONTACT INFORMATION FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY:
ADA Coordinator for Jefferson County (Non-court related requests)
Mark McCauley
Director of Central Services
P.O. Box 1220
1820 Jefferson Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Phone Number (360) 385-9130
E-Mail Address: mmccauley@co.jefferson.wa.us
County website: https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS CONTACT INFORMATION FOR JEFFERSON COUNTY
COURTS:
Sophie Nordstrom, Superior Court
Administrator
Jefferson County Superior Court
P.O. Box 1220
1820 Jefferson Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360)385-9395
Brian Gleason, District Court
Administrator
P.O. Box 1220
1820 Jefferson Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360)385-9134
ADA Accommodations Policy Page 5
Effective November 2, 2020
ATTACHMENT A
Jefferson County
Request for ADA Accommodation Request Received:
(for County Use only)
1. Information about the Person Requesting Accommodation.
What is your name?
2. Describe the activity or County service you need accommodation for. Include the date,time,
and location:
3. Describe the disability for which you are requesting an accommodation:
4. Describe what accommodation you are requesting and explain why this specific
accommodation is necessary:
ADA Accommodations Policy Page 5
Effective November 2, 2020
Page 2 of 2
5. Provide any information that you think would help the County respond to your request:
6. Contact information:
Email:
Mailing address:
Telephone where the County can leave a message:
Other(specify):
What is the best way to notify you about the decision on your request?
Email—mail -phone call - other(see above).
Date:
(Signature of Person Requesting Accommodation)
(Print Name of Person Requesting Accommodation)
Return this form to the County ADA Coordinator at:
Jefferson County ADA Coordinator
Central Services Department
P.O. Box 1220
1820 Jefferson Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
ADA Accommodations Policy Page 5
Effective November 2, 2020
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
/f/ i/i
FROM: Mark McCauley, Central Services D. or/ADA Coordinator
DATE: November 2,2020
SUBJECT: Request for Board of County Commissioners approval of a Jefferson County
Americans with Disabilities (ADA)Accommodation Policy
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Jefferson County lacks an ADA Accommodations Policy. Americans with disabilities at times
need to be accommodated so they may avail themselves of County services.
ANALYSIS:
The attached draft resolution adopts an ADA Accommodation Policy which explains the
County's policy and instructs those with disabilities on how to request an accommodation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This request has no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Board of County Commissioners approve the attached ADA Accommodation Policy.
REVIEWED BY: ,--
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C PHiiip Morley, •1 ty A rator Date