Accessibility
It is the intent of the City to guarantee persons with disabilities equal opportunity to participate in or enjoy the benefits of City services, programs, or activities, and to allow them a bias-free work environment. The City, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The City is committed to creating an environment in which facilities for public meetings and general public use are accessible. Furthermore, the City will provide auxiliary aids and services (e.g. interpreters, readers, assisted listening devices, text telephones, large print materials, audio tape, help in completing forms, and other similar services and actions) if necessary, and if such reasonable accommodation can be provided without undue hardship to the City.
Persons with disabilities may request the auxiliary aids and services of their choice, which will be given primary consideration.
Filing an ADA Grievance
The City of St. Charles adopts the following internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Title I and Title II of the ADA.
Title I of the ADA states that “no covered entity shall discriminate against a qualified individual on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.” Title II of the ADA states that “no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.”
In the event citizens, employees, or other participants in the City’s programs, services, and activities believe the City has violated their rights under the ADA, a complaint may be filed in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Complaints should be addressed to: Director of Human Resources, City of St. Charles, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174. The Director of Human Resources has been designated to coordinate ADA compliance efforts. He/she shall maintain the files and records of the City relating to the complaints filed and ensuing investigations.
- A complaint may be filed either in writing or verbally. It shall consist of the name and address of the person filing it or on whose behalf it is filed, and a brief description of the alleged violation of the ADA regulations. A complaint shall be filed within twenty (20) working days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
- An investigation, as may be appropriate, shall follow the filing of a complaint. The Director of Human Resources, or the designee shall commence the investigation, within ten (10) working days following the filing of the complaint. The investigation will be informal but thorough, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit information relevant to such investigation.
- A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a resolution of the complaint, if any, shall be issued by the Director of Human Resources and a written copy mailed to the complainant within twenty (20) working days following the filing of the complaint.
- The complainant may request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration shall be made within ten (10) working days following the date the complainant receives the determination of the Director of Human Resources. The request for reconsideration shall be made to: City Administrator, City of St. Charles, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174. The City Administrator shall review the records of said complaint and may conduct further investigation when necessary to obtain additional relevant information. The City Administrator shall issue his/her decision on the request for reconsideration within twenty (20) working days of the filing of the request for reconsideration. A copy of said decision shall be mailed to the complainant.
- The complainant’s right to prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint must not be impaired by his or her pursuit of other remedies, such as the filing of a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice or any other appropriate federal agency. Furthermore, the filing of a lawsuit in state or federal district court can occur at any time. The use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
- These rules shall be construed to:
- Protect the substantive rights of interested persons.
- Meet appropriate due process standards.
- Comply with the ADA and implementing regulations.
City of St. Charles ADA Coordinator
Jennifer McMahon
Director of Human Resources
2 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL 60174-1984
(630) 377-4470