ADA/Title VI Coordinator (City)

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009.

The ADA is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and other characteristics illegal.

Disability is defined by the ADA as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity." Whether a condition is considered a disability is determined on a case-by-case basis. Certain specific conditions are excluded, such as current substance abuse and visual impairment correctable by prescription lenses.

ADA Notice

In accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Huntington, Indiana, will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Employment

The City of Huntington, Indiana, does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.

Effective Communication

Upon request, the City of Huntington, Indiana, will provide appropriate aids and services to ensure effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities. These may include sign language interpreters, Braille documents, or other accessible formats for people with speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

Modifications to Policies and Procedures

The City of Huntington, Indiana, will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure equal access for people with disabilities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcome in City offices, even where pets are typically not allowed.

If you need an auxiliary aid, service, or policy modification to participate in a City program or activity, contact the ADA Coordinator, Ronda Smelser, at (260) 356-1400 ext. 2004, or the Director of Operations, Annette Carroll, at (260) 356-1400 ext. 2602, as soon as possible, but no later than one week before the scheduled event.

The ADA does not require the City to take actions that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

Complaints about accessibility of City programs or services should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at (260) 356-1400 ext. 2004.

The City will not place surcharges on individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of auxiliary aids, services, or reasonable policy modifications, such as retrieving items from inaccessible public areas.