Justice Department Releases Primer on ADA Title II
The U.S. Department of Justice has published an Americans With Disabilities Act Title II Primerfor state and local governments. The publication includes fundamentals and general guidelines for understanding and complying with the ADA.
Specifically, the primer outlines who is protected under Title II of the ADA and provides examples to clarify, among other issues:
- Basic principles of nondiscrimination.
- Reasonable modifications of policies and procedures.
- Use of service animals.
- Communicating with people who have disabilities.
- Building accessibility requirements.
- Grievance procedures.
- Staff training.
The primer states: "A critical, but often overlooked, component of ensuring success is comprehensive and ongoing staff training. Public entities may have good policies, but if front line staff or volunteers are not aware of them or do not know how to implement them, problems can arise." That general observation may ring true for many districts. It would be best practice to refresh administration and staff of who the district ADA coordinator is, and encourage administrators and that named individual to review the primer.
To view the sixteen-page primer or access a .pdf version, visit: Americans With Disabilities Act Title II Primer
The primer coordinates with the other efforts made to highlight the 25th anniversary of the passing of the ADA. An ADA tour bus sponsored by the ADA Legacy Project visited many school districts, among other highlighted sites, around the country as part of these efforts.