1. ADA Statement

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, to provide persons with disabilities civil rights protections ensuring accessibility to services, programs, and activities to enable participation in all aspects of community life. The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation.  It also mandates the establishment of TDD / telephone relay services.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines were adopted to ensure access to new construction and renovations. Barrier removal efforts are mandated for older construction if they are readily achievable and do not provide an undue hardship.

The principal areas of the ADA are as follows:

  • Transportation
    County operated transit will provide accessible transit on all fixed routes and as needed on-demand response routes.
  • Education
    Access to all educational programs offered by public education entities receiving federal or state financial assistance. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act protects the rights for students with disabilities to obtain free and appropriate education.
  • Housing
    Access to public housing and related services. The Fair Housing Amendments Act provides guidance on access within multi-family dwellings.
  • Employment
    Access to Employment. Title I of the ADA prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.
  • Medical
    Access to medical care and health insurance.
  1. Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), Carroll County will not discriminate against individuals on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. 

  • Employment: Carroll County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.
  • Modifications to Communication: Carroll County will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services to facilitate effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in Carroll County’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.
  • Modifications to Policies and Procedures: Carroll County will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities.  For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in Carroll County’s offices, even where pets are generally prohibited.

The ADA does not require Carroll County to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. 

Carroll County will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

  1. Requests for Accommodations

If auxiliary aids and services for effective communication or a reasonable modification in programs, services or activities are needed, contact the ADA Coordinator as soon as possible, preferably 3 days before the activity or event.

Carroll County Department of Citizen Services
Attention: Director/ADA Coordinator
10 Distillery Drive

Westminster, Maryland 21157

Email:  ADA@carrollcountymd.gov
Phone:  410-386-3600

MD Relay – TTY: 711 or 800-735-2258

See Carroll County’s FAQs (Section 5) for more information or visit ADA.gov or contact the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center at 1-800-949-4232 V / TTY. 

  1. Carroll County ADA Complaint Procedures

An individual who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, access to buildings, or benefits by an agency of Carroll County should, if possible, try to resolve the issue locally with the director/supervisor of the program or services. If this informal attempt at resolution is unsuccessful, the complainant should follow these steps.

Step 1: Submit Written Complaint

The written complaint should be submitted by the complainant or their designee as soon as possible but no later than 180 calendar days after the alleged violation.  The complaint should be submitted to:

Carroll County Department of Citizen Services

Attention: Director/ADA Coordinator          

10 Distillery Drive

Westminster, Maryland 21157

or

ADA@carrollcountymd.gov

or

ADA Complaint Form

Step 2: Meet with the ADA Coordinator for Carroll County

Within 10 calendar days after the complaint is received by the ADA Coordinator, the Coordinator will meet with the individual or contact them regarding their complaint.  If it is determined that the individual is a qualified individual with a disability under the ADA, the ADA Coordinator will attempt to resolve the complaint.

Step 3: Resolution of the Complaint

Complaint Resolved: If the individual and the ADA Coordinator jointly agree to a resolution of the complaint, the ADA Coordinator will put the joint agreement in writing and send it to the individual. The agreement will generally contain the following items:

  • A description of the complaint
  • A summary of the facts
  • A description of the resolution agreed to
  • The timeframe for resolving the complaint
  • An assurance that Carroll County will comply with the specific terms and conditions of the agreement

Complaint Not Resolved: If the individual and the ADA Coordinator cannot resolve the complaint, the ADA Coordinator will send the individual a notice of that fact. The notice will generally include the following:

  • A description of the complaint
  • A summary of any resolution proposed
  • A statement addressing the issues that could not be resolved

U.S. Justice Department:  At any time during the complaint procedure, the complainant may refer the complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice including if the individual believes the complaint has not been resolved.

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

  1. S. Department of Justice – Disability Rights Division
    Department of justice Comment Line: 202-353-1555

Department of Justice Main Switchboard: 202-514-2000

TTY/ASCII/TDD: 800-877-8339

 

All written complaints received by the ADA Coordinator and responses will be retained by Carroll County Government for at least three years.

 

  1. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ADA Reasonable Accommodations

 

  1. What is a reasonable accommodation?

A reasonable accommodation is a change or modification to afford a qualified individual with a disability full enjoyment of programs or activities, unless modifications of policies, practices, and procedures would fundamentally alter the nature of the program, service, or activity, or result in undue financial and administrative burdens.

  1. How do I request a reasonable accommodation?

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact:

Carroll County Department of Citizen Services
Attention: Director/ADA Coordinator
10 Distillery Drive

Westminster, Maryland 21157

Email:  ADA@carrollcountymd.gov
Phone:  410-386-3600

MD Relay – TTY: 711 or 800-735-2258

 

  1. Does my request for a reasonable accommodation need to be in writing?

No, you do not need to put your request in writing, however, making a written request can be helpful documentation for ensuring that Carroll County can make an informed decision regarding the desired accommodation. In addition, you do not need to use the specific words “reasonable accommodations” when making your request.

  1. When should I request a reasonable accommodation?

You may request a reasonable accommodation at any time. However, making the request at least 3 days in advance of a meeting, conference call, or visit will help ensure that Carroll County is able to fulfill the request for an accommodation. For certain requests, such as requests for sign language interpretation, at least two weeks advance notice should be provided.

  1. May someone request a reasonable accommodation on my behalf?

Yes, anyone can request a reasonable accommodation on behalf of an individual with a disability who seeks to interact with Carroll County staff or participate in its programs or activities.

  1. What will Carroll County do upon receiving my request for a reasonable accommodation?

You may be contacted to obtain more information about your request and to better understand your needs. In addition, Carroll County may review your request to determine:

  • Whether the requested accommodation will be effective in allowing you to participate in the activity or program in which you are seeking participation.
  • Whether the requested accommodation is reasonable, or an equally effective alternative to the requested accommodation is available.
  • Whether providing you with the requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of Carroll County’s programs or impose undue financial or administrative burdens.

 

In addition, in some cases, Carroll County may consult with you in an interactive process to determine on a case-by-case basis what accommodations can be made. If Carroll County determines that your requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or impose an undue financial or administrative burden, it may deny your request. However, in the unlikely event that this occurs, Carroll County will work with you to identify an alternative accommodation that allows you to effectively participate in its program, activity, or service.

  1. May Carroll County request medical documentation from you after receiving your request for a reasonable accommodation?

No, the County may not request medical documentation after receiving your request for a reasonable accommodation. Questions will be limited to understanding the barrier to your ability to participate in the program or activity in which you are interested and the nature of an accommodation that will remove this barrier.

  1. May Carroll County charge you the cost of providing the reasonable accommodation?

No, you are not responsible for the cost of an auxiliary aid or service that Carroll County provides to you.