Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act, together with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, provide inspiration, guidance and standards related to making Internet Web sites accessible.

In a large part, it means providing a site whereby purely visual elements can be represented as text, which then can be processed by screen-reader technology and read to the visually impaired.

It also means constructing navigations system that are simply structured, anticipating how a disabled person may use and site, and anticipating the type of assistive technologies they may use -- moving down, across and through busy Web site pages.

While much of the standards provided -- primarily from the globally-connected World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) -- remain wide open to various interpretations and solutions, compliance can mean the difference between opening the doors wider to governmental service delivery versus slamming the doors closed to some of your citizens.

This is why you'll find the Oakland County Web site:

• Is provided in text-heavy formats
• Strict standards are in place related to design and layout
• Is constructed so that all graphics are specifically labeled

Oakland County is committed to continuing its development philosophy whereby accessibility is one of the highest priorities.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Grievance Procedure

This grievance procedure is established to meet the requirements of the 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 Oakland County.

The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number, email address 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 as soon as possible, preferably within 60 calendar days of the alleged violation to:

Diana McBroom, Director
Oakland County Risk Management
Executive Office Building, 41W
2100 Pontiac Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328

Other Contact Information
(248) 858-1674
mcbroomd@oakgov.com

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, Diana McBroom will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, Ms. McBroom will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in format that is accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response will explain the position of Oakland County and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

Appeals

If the response by Ms. McBroom does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to County Executive David Coulter, or his designee.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, County Executive David Coulter or his designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, County Executive David Coulter or his designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format that is accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

Retention

All written complaints received by Ms. McBroom or her designee, appeals to the County Executive or his designee, and responses from these two offices will be retained by Oakland County for at least 3 (three) years.