Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, government services, transportation, and public and private places that are open to the general public.  The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life, including:

  • Title I – Employment
  • Title II – State and Local Government Services
  • Title III – Public Accommodations in Commercial Facilities
  • Title IV – Telecommunications
  • Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions

For more information about the Americans with Disabilities Act, please visit ADA.gov.

Notice Under the ADA

In accordance with the requirements of the ADA, the Village will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in the Village’s employment, services, programs, or activities. Additionally, covered entities are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. The Village of Harristown, as an employer and provider of governmental services, is covered by the ADA and is committed to making programs, activities, and services accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Title II ADA Grievance Procedure

Title II prohibits disability discrimination by all public entities at the local (i.e. school district, municipal, city, county) and state levels, including public transportation. Under Title II of the ADA, “no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination” in programs, activities, or services sponsored by the Village. 

If a person feels the Village of Harristown has violated their rights under the ADA, they may file a grievance against the Village. Below is the Village's procedure for processing complaints of alleged violations of Title II of the ADA.

Who Can Make a Complaint?

Any person or complainant (including Village employees) who feel that their ADA rights have been violated may file a grievance against the Village of Harristown.

Complaint Time Frame

A complaint should be filed within fourteen (14) business days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. In Village employment matters, applicable grievance procedures will be followed.

Making a Complaint

Complaints should be made in writing to the Village of Harristown, 185 Kemabrk St., Decatur, IL. 62522.  All information relative to the complaint will be gathered and forwarded to the Village of Harristown Board of Trustees. The complaint shall contain at least the following information: name, address and phone number of complainant; a brief description of the complaint; requested or suggested relief; and the date of the complaint.

Investigation

Upon receipt of the complaint, the Board of Trustees shall appoint someone to act as ADA Coordinator to review the information and determine whether any additional information is needed. If further information is required, the ADA Coordinator shall request the information within a period of time, not to exceed fourteen (14) calendar days. Once all the information is received, the ADA Coordinator will carefully investigate the allegation.

Complainant Informed of Disposition

The disposition of the complaint shall be reduced to writing and communicated at the next regular Board of Trustees meeting.  If the disposition refers to activities to take place in the future, the ADA Coordinator will inform the complainant at the time the corrective measures have been fully implemented.

Investigation Time Frames

The time frames in the above procedure shall be adhered to unless an extension is requested due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances. In the event the time frame is extended, the ADA Coordinator will notify the complainant.