ADA Grievance Procedure
Dawson County Grievance Procedure Under The Americans with Disabilities Act
This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA). It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs or benefits by Dawson County. Dawson County's personnel policy governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination.
The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination, such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request. The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:
Jeff Bailey, Fire Marshal
393 Memory Lane
Dawsonville, Georgia 30534
706-344-3666, Ext. 44514
jbailey@dawsoncountyga.gov
NOTICE UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Statement/Mission:
In 1990, the federal government enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Dawson County recognizes its legal obligation to comply with Title II of the ADA and hereby establishes a transition plan to ensure compliance of federal law, rules and regulations. Therefore Dawson County will identify barriers that exist and state how and when the barriers are to be removed by providing a means to address complaints of discrimination, by encouraging public input to assess, address and meet access needs, and by establishing periodic reviews of the plan to monitor progress and compliance. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that the citizens of Dawson County are provided full access to programs, services and activities in as timely a fashion as is reasonably and fiscally possible. Dawson County's elected officials and staff believe the ability to accommodate disabled persons is essential to good customer service, the quality of life Dawson County residents seek to enjoy and to effective governance. Title II of the ADA requires that each of the county’s services, programs and activities, when viewed in their entirety, be readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
Non-Discrimination Statement:
No discrimination shall be exercised, threatened or promised or in favor of any eligible applicant or employee due to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or veteran status. Dawson County’s personnel programs shall, at all times, be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the U.S. Civil Service Commission and the regulatory provisions of the Civil Rights Act. Additionally, it is the intention of Dawson County to fully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In such, the county will not discriminate against qualified individuals on the basis of a disability in consideration of any terms and conditions of employment or in admission and access to programs, services and activities. In achieving compliance, the county may provide reasonable accommodation to enable an otherwise qualified employee to perform the essential requirements of his/her job. Claims involving discrimination based on a disability should be expressed to the Human Resources Director in the County Manager’s office.
Effective Communication:
Dawson County will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in Dawson County 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:
Dawson 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 welcome in Dawson County offices, even where pets are generally prohibited. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity of Dawson County, should contact ADA Coordinator Jeff Bailey at 706-344-3666, extension 44514, or jbailey@dawsoncountyga.gov as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
The ADA does not require Dawson County to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. Complaints that a program, service or activity of Dawson County is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to ADA Coordinator Jeff Bailey at 706-344-3666, extension 44514, or jbailey@dawsoncountyga.gov.
Dawson 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.
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